Mark felt a chill emanating from her voice, causing his heart to sink a little. Before he could comprehend what was happening, the host’s voice suddenly echoed from the television screen.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The wedding ceremony of Mr. Russell and Ms. Olsen is about to begin!”
All the guests took their seats.
The beautiful corridor was adorned with petals. The attention shifted to the man at the end of it. He stood offstage, dressed in a black suit, appearing more solemn than usual.
Josie closed her eyes. So that’s what he looks like when he gets married. The camera panned away, and Dexter’s eyes slightly darkened. He reached into his pocket to retrieve his ringing phone. “Speak.”
The other end went silent upon hearing the vibrant voice from this side before promptly stating, “There’s still an hour left.”
Dexter looked at the host and the anxious Claudia at the side. “I can buy you at most forty minutes.”
“That’s enough.”
After hanging up the phone, Dexter turned his gaze toward Calvin, who was seated at the table and engaged in deep conversation with a group of industry leaders. He pursed his lips, grabbing the back of Calvin’s collar and tugging him away. “You certainly seem to be in your element.”
Calvin rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I can’t get married on your behalf, can I, Dex?”
“Get on stage.”
“What?”
“You love to show off your useless knowledge, don’t you? The stage is huge today. It gives you plenty of room to perform.”
Before Calvin could even react, he was pushed onto the stage.
He picked up the microphone, his face amiable as he said, “As Dexter’s long-time good friend, I feel it’s necessary to share my thoughts on this special day. Over the years, this man has been…”
He had once been a professor at a university, truly capable of delivering eloquent lectures when he started teaching, not to mention he was naturally adept at storytelling in his everyday life.
Claudia frowned from below the stage. She made her way through the crowd and reached the tall and handsome man’s side. “Dex, what are you doing?”
Dexter smiled. “Mrs. Olsen, I’ll only have one wedding in my life. My good friend is excited and wants to give a speech. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
Claudia looked at him with a meaningful gaze and asked directly, “Are you stalling for time?”
The smile on Dexter’s face gradually faded away. It seems so. Claudia said seriously, “I don’t care what you’re up to. Stop it immediately. Today’s occasion is too important!”
The key members of the Russell and Olsen families were present, and there were also numerous guests from various industries, and even live media coverage. If anything went wrong, the reputation of both families would be ruined.
“Mrs. Olsen, you seem to lack confidence. It appears something has happened. Could you tell me what it is?” Dexter stood with his hands behind his back, turning the tables.
“What it is? Shouldn’t I be the one asking you? Why did you stop my people?” Claudia couldn’t reach Mark, which had already made her anxious. Now, she simply laid everything out on the table.
“Why did you stop Justin, then?” Dexter asked directly.
“He-”
“What are you afraid of? Are you unwilling to let the truth, soon to be unearthed, be revealed at the wedding?”
Claudia lowered her voice as she said anxiously, “I’m doing this for the sake of the Russell and Olsen families! Everything must wait until the wedding is over!”
“Mrs. Olsen!” Dexter raised his voice. “Your constant indecisiveness is what led to Liana getting lost!”
“Dexter!” Claudia’s chest heaved in anger. The man looked toward the stage, his voice sounding somewhat muffled amidst the surrounding din.
“Don’t you want to find out what it’s all about? I’m rather looking forward to it.”
