Chapter 2

I was waiting for Martha to bring me my morning congee when Madeline suddenly got up, slipped her arm around mine, and dragged me right in front of the main camera.

Madeline flashed a sweet smile at the livestream and said, "It's Claire's first time in front of the camera, so she might be a little nervous. My fans, please be gentle with her."

But as she spoke, there was a faint hint of condescension in her eyes.

Then Madeline turned to me, her eyes twinkling as she took in my makeup-free face. "Don't worry, Claire. My fans are all really nice."

Before I knew it, I was dragged right in front of the camera, my eyes dazed and sleepy.

The chat blew up instantly.

[Is this really the legendary matriarch of Sutton? She looks so... ordinary.]

[Madeline is so nice, still letting the matriarch of Sutton have screen time at a moment like this.]

[Her face looks so familiar. Where have I seen her before?]

[Forget it, she's probably got one of those generic faces. Madeline mentioned that in the side chat.]

Madeline was watching the chat out of the corner of her eye, her smile growing more confident.

She deliberately lifted her hand, the massive diamond on her middle finger glinting as she pretended to casually brush it past my face, showing off her movie-star perfection for everyone to see.

But honestly, the only thing on my mind was how dead tired I was.

I could barely keep my eyes open,' I thought to myself.

Alex had gotten back from a week-long business trip, and last night he insisted on making up for all the 'missed time. He was so relentless, I felt like he nearly took me apart and put me back together again. No wonder I woke up this morning aching all over.

After lunch, Ethan got called to the study by the production crew to shoot some extra clips about his daily life as the family's heir-in-training.

I was about to sneak upstairs for a quick nap, but Madeline was already waiting for me, all smiles and energy.

She pulled me down onto the couch and opened up a gorgeous wedding album on her lap, filled with exclusive, custom-made gowns from the world's most luxurious brands.

She and Ethan were already engaged, and this show was basically the official warm-up for their "wedding of the century."

"Claire, what do you think of this one with the long train?" Madeline pointed to a photo, her eyes gleaming with determination.

I was so tired my eyelids were practically glued together. I glanced at the layers of lace and mumbled, "Looks nice."

"And what about this strapless one?"

"That one's nice too."

Madeline seemed a bit put off by my half-hearted replies. She slowed down flipping through the album, then pretended to ask offhandedly, "Claire, I heard you and Alex have been married for three years, but you still haven't had a wedding?"

I was absentmindedly nibbling on an apple Martha had sliced when I paused mid-bite, chewing slowly before replying, "No."

Madeline instantly covered her mouth, her eyes went wide with fake shock and pity. "Wait, Alex never even gave you a wedding?"

The camera zoomed in on her 'pity,' and the livestream chat blew up with sympathy for me, roasting Alex for being so heartless.

I swallowed the apple and shrugged, feeling a bit resigned. "I didn't want a wedding. That was my call."

Alex and I had a marriage of convenience. Right before we got our marriage license, he looked at me seriously and asked if I wanted a beach ceremony or a church one. But I had zero interest in all that formal stuff, so I flat-out said no.

Afterwards, he kept the story straight for everyone, saying he preferred things low-key. He took all the criticism on himself, never letting anyone blame me.

Madeline clearly didn't buy it. She let out a dramatic sigh, "Every woman dreams of a perfect wedding. Ethan says he's going to give me a wedding fit for a queen, one I'll never regret saying yes to."

Her tone was all sweet and innocent, but it was obvious she was showing off. Her happiness practically radiated through the screen, and her fans were going wild in the chat, shipping her and Ethan hard.