Chapter 6
"Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed," the bodyguards greeted in unison.
Dozens of bodyguards in black uniforms bowed in perfect sync, their presence commanding and imposing.
Lucas took Serena's hand, his grip warm and strong, and led her straight into the hall.
Inside the hall, the Reed family's distant relatives were already lined up, waiting in anticipation. Their faces showed respect, but their eyes couldn't hide their curiosity and scrutiny. After all, Lucas's sudden marriage had sent shockwaves through Cloudmere City.
Especially Serena, a woman who had once been rejected by the Kelsen family had somehow transformed into Mrs. Reed overnight. It was like something out of a fairy tale, almost too wild to believe.
"Mr. Reed," Owen Reed, Lucas's uncle, took the lead, putting on a forced smile. "And this must be... Mrs. Reed?"
He looked at Serena, a trace of barely concealed contempt in his eyes.
Lucas pulled Serena close, his gesture intimate but his voice cold as ice. "This is my lawful wife, Serena Kent. From today onward, her words carry the same weight as mine."
His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Owen, his gaze full of warning. "Anyone who disrespects her disrespects me. You know the consequences."
Owen's body trembled, and he immediately lowered his head in respect. "Yes, Mr. Reed."
Suddenly, the doors burst open again.
Bella stormed in, wearing a white gown, looking pitiful with tears streaming down her face and her cheek still red and swollen from Serena's slap.
"Adrian, please tell me this isn't true!" Bella clung desperately to Adrian's sleeve, her voice choked with sobs. "How could Serena marry Mr. Reed? Didn't she love you? She must be doing this just to hurt you!"
Adrian's face was pale as a ghost, his lips pressed tightly together. He couldn't take his eyes off Serena, sheltered in Lucas's arms, while jealousy and heartbreak twisted inside him.
Lucas's eyes flashed with obvious disgust when he saw Bella. He didn't even bother to respond.
Serena stared at that fake-innocent face of Bella's, and a cold fire burned in her chest. In her last life, it was Bella who got to live as Mrs. Kelsen, basking in the glory Serena paid for with her life.
"Bella, have some dignity," Serena said, pulling her hand back and walking over with a cold, steady stride. "This is Reed Manor, not your stage for drama and tantrums."
"Serena! Wasn't it bad enough you took Adrian away from me? Now you're going after Mr. Reed too?!" Bella screamed, her voice cracking with hysteria. "You bitch!"
Smack!
Lucas moved like lightning, landing a deafening slap that sent Bella reeling, crashing hard into the mahogany table.
The vase and teacups on the table shattered, pieces scattering all over the floor.
"Lucas! How dare you hit me!" Bella shrieked, clutching her face in disbelief. "I'm Adrian's savior! I'm Serena's sister! You can't do this to me!"
"Savior?" Lucas let out a cold laugh, his eyes dripping with contempt. "My wife doesn't need a so-called sister with that kind of title."
He shot Adrian a razor-sharp look. "Mr. Kelsen, if you can't keep your woman in check, I won't mind shutting her up for you."
Adrian went pale as a sheet. He wanted to protest, but facing Lucas's predatory glare, he was left speechless.
Lucas stepped right up to Bella, looming over her with an icy, intimidating presence that sent chills down her spine.
"Ms. Wallis, you'd better remember there's only one Mrs. Reed. If you dare disrespect her, your life will be the first to pay for it."
"And one more thing," Lucas said coolly. "I've investigated Ms. Kent's mother's death. It wasn't just an accident. There's a hidden truth behind it. The Wallis family had a hand in what happened."
Lucas's offhand remark sent a chill down Bella's spine, her face turning ghostly pale in an instant.
"You... you're lying!" Bella forced out, trying to sound tough, but the panic in her eyes betrayed her.
Serena stood behind Lucas, and when she heard him mention her "biological mother," her heart skipped a beat. She'd always believed her mother had died of illness, but now Lucas had actually uncovered hidden secrets.
"Now, apologize to my wife," Lucas ordered, his gaze like a blade, piercing right through Bella and making her shiver with fear.
Bella met Lucas's eyes, cold and merciless, like a demon straight out of hell, and finally broke down. She crawled to Serena's feet, sobbing, her voice shaking as she stammered, "I'm sorry... Serena, I was wrong..."
"Mr. Reed," Serena said coldly, locking eyes with Bella. "She wasn't disrespecting me. She was disrespecting you."
Lucas caught on instantly. He turned, wrapped Serena in his arms again, and in full view of everyone, lowered his head to place a gentle kiss on the crown of her hair.
"Are you happy now, Mrs. Reed?" Lucas murmured.