He had stepped past her without realizing it.
His gaze was locked on Scarlett – completely captivated, as if under a spell.
He was already walking toward her.
That single moment made Sadie’s grip tighten around her dress.
Her jealousy flared into something almost uncontrollable.
“Scarlett, you’re here – that’s wonderful,” Sadie said, instantly switching to a warm smile. “James and I were just hoping you’d come give us your blessing.”
Her voice snapped James out of his daze.
He stopped, glanced at Sadie beside him, and forced himself to refocus.
‘What’s wrong with me?’
He was marrying Sadie today –
And yet he had just lost himself staring at Scarlett.
Still…
He couldn’t help looking at her again.
She was stunning.
Cold. Elegant. Untouchable.
It was only natural anyone would look twice.
Why hadn’t he noticed before?
But then he scoffed internally.
So what if she’s beautiful?
Cruel. Manipulative. No education, no class – just a pretty face.
Someone like her could never be worthy of him.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
“Unbelievable… the Hayes family’s eldest really has no shame. First she ruined her sister’s life, and now she shows up here to cause a scene?”
“Seriously, imagine having a sister like that.”
“She’s not even a real heiress. She only came into the family after her mother remarried – grew up out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Well, that explains it. No class, no upbringing. Doesn’t matter how pretty she is – she’ll never fit in with people like us.”
“…”
Hearing the murmurs, James’s expression turned colder.
Exactly.
Beauty meant nothing without substance.
Compared to Sadie – polished, talented, and effortlessly refined – Scarlett didn’t stand a chance.
“You’ve got some nerve showing up,” James said, his voice edged with disdain. His gaze briefly swept across the crowd, checking on the people he had positioned earlier.
He hadn’t forgotten the humiliation.
That day outside the prison – being thrown to the ground in front of everyone.
He was going to make her pay for it.
Scarlett raised a brow, her expression calm.
“I told you I’d come,” she said lightly. “And I always keep my word.”
A faint smile curved her lips.
“I even brought you a gift.”
A gift?
Sadie and James exchanged wary glances.
At that moment, Mossa stormed over, furious.
“Scarlett! What are you trying to pull now? Today is your sister’s wedding. If you cause trouble, I’ll have you thrown out immediately!”
“Cause trouble?” Scarlett let out a quiet laugh. “Didn’t you hear me? I said I came to give a gift.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“What? My sister’s getting married – am I not allowed to bring a present?”
Mossa studied her, suspicious.
Before she could say anything –
Scarlett lifted her hand and snapped her fingers.
The large screen behind them, which had been playing a montage of the couple’s sweet moments, suddenly flickered –
Then changed.
A new scene appeared.
A hotel room.
Scarlett and Sadie stood facing each other.
Sadie’s eyes widened in horror.
That’s impossible.
Five years ago –
She had destroyed all the surveillance footage.
So how –
On the screen –
Scarlett, dressed in a white wedding gown, looked confused.
“Why did you ask me to come here?”
Sadie crossed her arms, a smug smile spreading across her face.
“You’re my sister. It’s your big day – I’m here to give you a gift.”
She rested a hand on her stomach, smiling wider.
“Actually… I’m not pregnant. I lied to James.”
Shock.
Silence.
The entire hall went dead quiet.
James stared at the screen in disbelief.
The woman on it –
That smug, calculating expression –
It was nothing like the gentle, fragile image he knew.
It was like looking at a completely different person.
“N-No… that’s not me – !” Sadie shouted, panic breaking through her voice as she rushed forward, trying to shut off the video.
Scarlett stepped forward and blocked Sadie with one arm, her sharp, icy gaze locking onto her.
“What’s the rush?” she said coldly. “Scared?”
The moment those words fell, every eye in the room turned toward her – James, Mossa, and all the guests.
Sadie’s face went ghostly pale. Her lips trembled as she stammered, “I – I’m not. I’m not scared. Why would I be scared? I – “
“Aah – !”
A sudden scream burst from the screen, cutting her off.
On the giant display, Sadie was sprawled on the floor, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at
Scarlett in heartbreak.
“Why did you push me? My baby… my baby is gone…”
Scarlett’s voice came from the recording, calm but sharp. “You’re framing me on purpose?”
Sadie let out a twisted smile.
“That’s right – I am framing you. So what? James won’t believe you. Neither will your own mother.”
The video cut off.
For a moment, the entire room fell silent.
Then it erupted.
“I don’t believe it… Sadie, all sweet and polished – she’s actually this calculating?”
“Seriously, this is insane.”
“So Scarlett went to prison for five years… for nothing?”
“That’s messed up…”
“…”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.