Chapter 4

After the engagement party, Edward called out to me. He said, "My mom and your mom are really good friends. They even talked about setting us up when we were kids, making us childhood sweethearts. So if you ever need help, just come find me."

I was momentarily stunned, catching the sincerity in Edward's eyes. Suddenly, I felt he wasn't as cold and ruthless as the rumors suggested.

"Okay, thanks," I said, shooting him a grateful smile before heading home.

The day I was supposed to try on wedding dresses, I hurried out the door, only to be blocked by Jessica.

She still had no idea I'd found out the whole truth that night, so she just stood there with her chin held high, acting all superior.

Jessica sneered, "Lily, you're really putting in all this effort for a cripple? If you ask me, Brian's the real catch. Too bad you couldn't hold onto him. Trash like you only deserve the leftovers I don't want.

"A cripple and a good-for-nothing? Honestly, you two are a perfect match."

I didn't say a word. I just walked around her and headed out.

But in front of my dad, Jessica put on a whole act about how she'd been wronged, how she'd lost her chance to marry the Carter family heir.

My dad ended up giving her a generous compensation and, right in front of me, handed over my mom's wedding jewelry.

I retorted coldly, "If I remember right, that's my mom's stuff."

My dad's face darkened, and he snapped at me, "Jessica gave up a marriage like that for you. Is it really so hard to let her have it? Can't you be a little more generous? If not, don't even bother calling yourself a Turner."

I clenched my jaw, catching Jessica's smug look as she enjoyed the drama, and forced myself to hold it in.

The time hadn't come.

Silently, I steadied myself, letting them revel in their arrogance for now. On the wedding day, I would collect it all with interest.

The day before my wedding, my dad pulled me aside and gave me a warning.

He said, "Listen up. After you marry Edward, while he's stuck, barely able to walk, you need to get your hands on the key project documents.

"You're a Turner, after all. I'd never hurt you. Edward's weak; just find a way to shove him down the stairs and make sure he doesn't survive.

"As for his dad, he's got a bad heart. Push his buttons until he has a heart attack, and don't bother calling for help.

"His grandma? She's old and not a threat; forget her. Once the Carter heir is gone, everything they own belongs to us. Do it right, and you get back what your mom left behind. Screw it up, and you can forget about anything."

I kept quiet, not saying a word. He thought I was on board and walked away, looking pleased with himself.

I glanced back at the hidden camera, snorted quietly, and followed him out.

On the day of the wedding, almost every big name in town showed up.

Edward's grandma, Sophia, sat right in the center, surrounded by people who kept coming over to chat and make her laugh out loud.

I took my dad's arm and walked to the center of the stage.

Edward smiled at me and slipped the ring onto my finger.

As I bent down to put the ring on his finger, Edward leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

He said, "Don't worry. Everything's taken care of."

The big screen soon started playing the wedding video we'd recorded earlier. I kept a smile on my face as I watched my family in the audience, all looking thrilled and excited. Then, I quietly pressed the button hidden in my bouquet.

In an instant, the screen switched: first to an isolated audio recording, then to the video from the day before, where my dad threatened me.

My dad's greedy face was laid bare for everyone to see.

He said, "Edward's weak. Just get rid of him. His dad has a heart problem. Just provoke him until he has an attack. Once the Carter family heir is dead, everything the Carters own will be ours."

With every word, the Carter family's faces went from bad to worse. Edward's dad was so mad that he was practically gasping for air.

The cameras swung over, catching my dad and Jessica's crew in full view.

The whole place exploded in chaos. My family looked terrified, their legs went weak, and they dropped to the ground, scrambling to dodge the cameras, looking totally pathetic.

Sophia let out a cold, mocking laugh and said with a sneer, "Turner family, you're really something: scheming to kill my son and grandson. Did you ever stop to think about your own fate, or how long you'd survive after pulling a stunt like this?"