Chapter 2
As Stephen approached Layla in her wedding dress, she haughtily turned her face away
He looked at her with a gentle smile, then placed the bouquet in her arms and wrapped his arm around her slim waist, Gently, he bent down and lifted her into his
embrace.
Startled, Layla instinctively wrapped her ams around his neck and widened her eyes with reproach.
Today was Stephen’s big day, so he was in high spirits. His smile ever faded.
Hecanted Layla downstairs, out of the living room, and into the car to head to the wedding venue.
Both Stephen and Layla had no parents, so their wedding lacked many of the usual formalities. When they arrived, they walked side by side down the aisle.
Layla’s wedding caused a stir among the high society of Somersia
Many came to offer their blessings. Robert, being both the groom’s and bride’s grandfather, was in high spirits. His eyes sparkled with vitality.
“Congratulations, Mr. Murray Senior!”
“Thank you.”
The newlyweds exchanged rings on the stage. Layla’s lips were pursed, while Stephen’s smile remained scene
As he slipped the ring onto her finger, his gaze softened.
After a busy day and seeing off the evening guests, Stephen was called away by Robert for conversation. Chce their discussion was over, Stephen was finally allowed to retam to the bridal coom
elenit. We’re getting a divorce.” In the room, Layla was still in her wedding dress. She pulled out a divorce agreement and slammed it down in front of Stephen “Sigalt.”
Stephen removed his jacket and sat on the couch. He looked at the blank divorce agreement, picked up a pen, and signed without even reading the content. Noticing his decisiveness, Layla said, “Stephen, don’t think you can get your hands on my company. Don’t think I don’t know about your mistress. “You plan to many me, take over my company, and then live happily ever after with your mistress. As long as I’m here, don’t even think about it!”
After her outburst, she swiftly snatched the signed divorce agreement from Stephen. Since it was her first divorce, she had overlooked the fact that Stephen had written the divorce date as February oth
Naively, she had copied the same incorrect date.
Stephen smiled faintly as he glanced at the date she had written.
“Even though we’re getting a divorce, this matter with your mistress isn’t over. If she dares to flaunt herself in front of me, I’ll make her disappear!” Layla threatened as she carefully placed the divorce agreement away.
When had heard these accusations about his mistress from Layla before. He had denied them, but she didn’t believe him.
Whenever he asked her to provide evidence, she would argue, saying, “You kept her so well hidden. How am I supposed to know where she is?
Stephen was left speechless by her antics.
“Go take a shower and get some sleep. Stephen did not want to engage with her. So he stood up, unbuttoned his shirt, and headed for the bathroom to wash the cel out of his halt.
Layla, who was enraged by his dismissal, chased after him in her wedding dress. “Coward You’ve always been like this. When you can’t argue with me, you just mun away. Besides being a weakling, what else are you good for? Your mistress must be blind to be with someone like you-
“Are you done?” Stephen turned around. His eyes were piercing as he shouted at her,
Startled, Layla took a step back. “Why are you yelling at me? I didn’t say anything wrong. You’re just a scumbag. A walling disaster.”
Stephen went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet. The sound of the faucet drowned out the noise from outside.
Layla continued to shout for a while but then fell silent.
Stephen waited five minutes but heard nothing
When he opened the door, he found that Layla had vanished. Only her white wedding dress was left crumpled on the floor.
The bride had run away on her wedding night!
Half an hour later, Layla arrived at Peony Bar
“Come on, let’s celebrate! Congratulations to Layla on her wedding!” The noisy dance floor was packed with a variety of people dancing.
Nearby, a group of rich young men were raising their glasses in a toast.
In the center of the group was Stephen’s bride from earlier that day.
Layla pulled out her credit card and handed it to a friend. “I’m in a great mood today. Drinks are on mel
chers enupted around her. Layla was rich and was known for her lavish spending.
“Layla, didn’t Mr. Yates say anything about you running away on your wedding nighthi
“Hab! He’s just a hired hand. It’s not like he can control me,” Layla ceplied dismissively.
At home, Stephen arceived a text about an so thousand–dollar transaction at Peony Bar. He grabbed his car keys and headed out to find his runway bride. Before long, Stephen arrived at the bar. He entered and quickly spotted Layla. She was will triends. They were discussing the performers onstage and hadn’t
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noticed his arrival.
When Stephen appeared, everyone held their breath.
Years ago, Stephen had disciplined these families‘ businesses by using his position as Layla’s brother to command them to stay away from her.
Now that Stephen had become Layla’s husband, they all secretly mingled with her while being careful not to be caught by him.
But today, they had been caught in the act.
Layla’s friend tapped her on the shoulder. “Layla, look behind you.”
“Why? Look at number four on the stage. That guy is simply a gem of this world.
Her friend glanced at Stephen’s dark expression and then patted Layla, “Your husband is here.”
“What husband? I’m sing… Stephen?” Layla turned around and was startled to see Stephen standing there.
The last time she was at the b
bar, Stephen had dragged her back and sent her abroad. He even convinced Robert that studying overseas was more suitable for her.
Then she had been left alone overseas, only to be brought back after she pretended to be sick.
Stephen’s jaw was clenched in anger. He stepped forward, grabbed Layla’s slender wrist, and pulled her into his arms. Without saying a word, he dragged her out of the bar.
At the door, Stephen wamed in a low voice, “It’s our wedding night, Layla. How dare you nm away?”
“I divorced you an hour ago, What wedding night? I’m single!” Layla retorted.
Stephen pulled out his phone and found Robert’s number. He threatened Layla, “I’m calling Grandpa right now to tell him we signed the divorce agreement. Then I’ll send you abroad. This time, I won’t bring you back even if you try to kill yourself.”
You despicable, shameless bastard!” Layla shouted at Stephen.
Stephen’s throat tightened. “Get in the car.
In light of his threat, Layla got into the car. Meanwhile, Stephen entered from the other side.
Once they were home, Layla stormed into the bridal room and shoved Stephen out. With a fierce temper, she demanded, “We’ll sleep in separate rooms!”
“What’s all this noise in the middle of the night?” Robert came out wrapped in a coat.
“Layla wants us to sleep separately,” Stephen said.
“Separate rooms? That’s ridiculous! If you two dare to do that, I’ll cut off all of Layla’s credit cards tomorrow,” Robert said firmly.
Layla pouted angrily, “Grandpa, I sacrificed my happiness to ward off your bad luck, and you’re throwing me under the bus for a stranger? Don’t you know your precious Stephen has a mistress?”
Robert responded, “Where did you see that? Stephen is your husband. You should trust that he loves you.”
Layla muttered softly to Stephen, “Hmph! A tattletale.” She was careful not to let Robert hear, or she’d be in for another lecture.
Back then, Stephen had left her to fend for herself abroad and even linked her bank card to his phone to monitor her every move. He made it impossible for her to make friends, leaving her to live in his shadow. This was not love at all.
Robert watched as Layla held the door open for Stephen As Stephen entered the room, Robert turned to the nearby maid and instructed, “Keep watch over their door. II Stepben is thrown out again, notify me immediately.”
Inside the tour, everything was decorated in white. Layla angrily swept the flower petals off the bedspread and hurled a pillow from the bed onto the couch.
