Chapter 3

My mother finally moved.

Not to help me up, but to yank me off the ground.

Before I could react, Rosalie had already grabbed my other arm.

"Mom, what are you doing!" I struggled, but their combined strength was greater than mine.

"Shut up! You've embarrassed us enough!" my mother hissed.

They dragged me towards the back of the stage.

The guests watched this scene unfold, some pulling out their phones to record.

"Let go of me! Have you all gone mad?" I shouted.

I tried to break free, but Rosalie took the chance to pinch my waist hard. The sharp pain made me lose all strength to resist.

They dragged me to a storage room backstage filled with junk.

The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock.

I rushed to the door, pounding on it frantically.

"Open the door! You can't lock me in here! Open up!"

Outside, Liam's amplified voice came through the speakers, echoing throughout the venue.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for that little scene earlier. It was quite embarrassing."

"Right now, my abandoned ex-fiancée is reflecting on her actions in a little dark room backstage. How long do you think it will take her to come to her senses?"

Laughter erupted from the audience.

"Mr. Carter is so witty!"

"This is better than watching a movie!"

"That woman deserves it!"

I had become the public laughingstock of this wedding.

My phone vibrated.

I took it out and saw a message from my mother.

"Stella, stop making a scene. Your sister's happiness is the most important thing. Kneel down and apologize to Liam, and we can put this all behind us."

I stared at the words on the screen.

My sister's happiness is the most important thing.

What about me?

Doesn't my happiness matter?

Doesn't my dignity matter?

Am I destined to be humiliated, locked up, and treated like a joke?

The music outside grew louder. Liam and Rosalie started dancing. The guests' applause and cheers grew more enthusiastic.

And I, like a piece of trash, was locked in this dark corner.

My phone vibrated again.

This time it was from Rosalie.

"Sis, I know you're angry right now. But think about it, Liam is so outstanding, he deserves better. Don't be so stubborn, okay?"

I slid down against the door, curling up into a ball.

The physical pain, the betrayal from my family, the humiliation from my lover, and the departure of the man who said he would protect me - all of it pushed me into a bottomless abyss.

I didn't even have the strength to cry anymore.

Let them laugh.

Let them gloat.

I had nothing left anyway.

Liam's voice came from outside: "Everyone, now it's time for the most exciting part. Let's go see if our ex-fiancée has come to her senses!"

Footsteps approached.

The sound of a key turning in the lock.

The door opened, and blinding light poured in.

Liam stood in the doorway, followed by a group of guests, all holding up their phones to record.

"Stella, have you thought it through? Ready to apologize?"

I lifted my head, about to speak.

Suddenly, the main doors of the wedding hall burst open.

A group of people stormed in, with Alexander standing at the front, followed by dozens of intimidating bodyguards in black suits.

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone was stunned, including Liam.

Alexander took off his suit jacket and strode towards me.

His leg was still lame.

He draped the jacket over my shoulders, then lifted me up in his arms without a word.

"What are you doing! Let her go!" Liam finally reacted.

Alexander didn't even glance at him.

At that moment, I felt alive again.

"Alexander Grant, you think bringing a few men makes you invincible? You're still just a cripple!" Liam shouted, his face red with anger and embarrassment.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit stepped forward.

He held a document which he threw directly in Liam's face.

"Mr. Carter, from this moment on, 35% of Carter Group's shares belong to Mr. Grant. You have been removed from the board of directors."