Someone muffled Jolly’s scream with their hand before she could make a sound. As she lifted her knee to attack the man in his weakest spot, she stopped in the air immediately when she saw his face. I almost ruined my certain happiness for the rest of my life with a knee strike.
Leroy released her once she calmed down. “Why are you here?”
His words triggered her anger, so she smacked. him on his chest, causing Leroy to grunt as he took a step back.
“Why am I here? What do you think? Do I look like I’m here to attend your wedding?”
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“But I am! They allowed me to enter! Didn’t you want the answer to why I’m here? I’m here to steal you from the bride!”
At that, Leroy said bitterly, “We already broke up.”
“I don’t care! I didn’t agree with that decision! I regret it! Who gives you the right to break up with me?”
Jolly, we aren’t kids anymore. We can’t keep our life going with only enthusiasm. If there is a chance that I might endanger your life in the future, I’d rather we never met each other.”
Leroy was gentle and composed like usual, but also determined to cut ties with Jolly. Even though he wanted to rush down the platform and embrace her tightly the moment he saw her at the wedding, he kept calm. He knew he couldn’t do that, even if he wanted to keep her in his life. “You can be free without me.”
“That’s what you think. You think you’re doing this for my own good.”
“I have one question, though. Are you fine with risking your family and friends’ safety because of me, just like what happened to your parents last time?”
Jolly froze at Leroy’s question. Her cell phone chose that moment to ring, and it was a call from Rachel. Jolly didn’t plan to avoid Leroy as she answered her phone impatiently before him, “Hello?”
“Jolly, where are you?” Rachel sounded worried. “I found Leroy,” Jolly said as she raised her head to watch him and croaked, “But he doesn’t want to go with me.”
“Jolly, listen to me-”
Leroy couldn’t hear their conversation, but he could see Jolly’s eyes shining as she listened to the caller.
Ending the call, Jolly then took the direct approach as she stared at the man intensely. “You insist on breaking up with me only to protect me and the others around me, right?”
He scowled as she placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him against the wall to stop him from getting away. “What if I tell you that my parent’s disappearance last time has nothing to do with Lush?”
“But that’s impossible.”
“Ryan did it.”
Leroy’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer. At the same time, Rachel and Justin were still at the banquet hall.
As the call ended, she turned her attention to him and asked, “Did Ryan really do all these things? Is he even influential in another country? How did he know where Mr. and Mrs. Carter were going for vacation?”
Five minutes ago, Justin received a call from Frankie to report his findings. Frankie had found out that Ryan was the culprit of Jolly’s parents being trapped in the elevator during Springfest.
Once Frankie finished his report, Justin asked Rachel to call Jolly. Justin expected Leroy wouldn’t leave with Jolly easily since he had scruples about putting Jolly’s family in danger, so he wouldn’t risk repeating it.
But what if Mrs. Bennett never thought about setting them up?
“Frankie told me that Julian was in Seranka during the Springfest.”
“Seranka?” Rachel froze before she questioned, “What do you mean? What do Julian’s whereabouts have anything to do with Ryan?”
A thought flashed through her mind soon after she finished her words, and her expression changed. Julian told me he will be celebrating the Springfest in Montenegro.
Justin only spoke calmly. “I remember that President Carter and his wife were having their vacation near Seranka.”
Rachel tightened her fists at her side. “Rae, I understand if you need time to process this. However, I want to remind you that Julian has changed. I don’t know his reasons, but I can tell you that he’ll stop at nothing and go to any lengths.”
She gasped as anxiety flooded her mind. Meanwhile, the order of the wedding was. restored after a while. Even though there were discussions about the bride fainting while foaming at the mouth when she was walking the red carpet, most guests knew best not to talk about it.
After all, it was an alliance marriage between the Lush Enterprise and the Grandeur Group. They didn’t want any trouble by gossiping about others’ affairs.
“Brother, I didn’t mean to make a hasty decision, but can you see Carmen? We have to avoid triggering her as she’s not in the condition to face the guests. We can’t force her to face the public again.” Shannon was persuading Carmen’s father, who was both her elder brother and the president of the Grandeur Group, to change his mind.
The man had a serious face. Even though he wasn’t content with her decision, he understood the need. Seeing the determination on his face wavered, Shannon added, “Besides, do you want the others to trouble Carmen with their gossip? However, we can organize the ceremony again if you’re fine with it.”
The man answered after a moment of pondering, “Fine, we’ll do as you say.”
Shannon sighed in relief. “Brother, you don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of Carmen when she joins our family. I won’t allow anything to happen to her.”
Even though Shannon promised to take care of Carmen, the bridegroom was running away. Meanwhile, Frankie sent a message to inform Rachel and Justin. ‘We’re on the way to the airport.’
Raising her head, she asked Justin, “I suppose we’re leaving too?”
“You’re right, but it’ll only be polite to tell the host family.”
“Of course.”
Justin put the cup down, and Rachel naturally linked her arm through his as she said, “Let’s go.”
Shannon didn’t mind them staying or leaving. When she heard they were about to catch a flight that night, she was only taken aback for a moment before she expressed her regrets. “I hope that I can see both of you again.”
“Of course.” Justin and Rachel then headed for the exits. Anyone could see that the pair were a good match even if one were to look at them from behind.
After they passed by numerous guests on their way, Rachel said, “I guess Leroy and Jolly have to leave Riverdale and lay low for a while.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything.”
“I’m worried about Mr. and Mrs. Carter, not them. What if they heard that Jolly came to Enistan to steal Leroy, then elope to a foreign country and won’t be back any time soon? Will they be fine with it?”
“You don’t think they already knew?”
“They knew it the whole time?” Rachel came to a stop and she was utterly surprised.
Justin only replied in resignation, “A mother knows her daughter best. President Carter called me not long after Jolly broke up with Leroy. He used the name of the business to start the conversation, but he asked about Leroy instead. Do you still think they know nothing?”
Rachel was taken aback by the truth. However, before she could ask anything, she narrowed her eyes as she noticed the person who was standing far away, and she felt her heart skip a beat.
“Rae, are you okay?”
“We have to go!”
