Chapter 3

Jewell's voice quivered, bordering on tears, as she yelled at Clay.

She pushed him forcefully before embracing me tightly.

At the same time, Melissa stood with her arms folded, her tone dripping with mockery. "Well, if it isn't Jewell! Have you gone mad? This woman's here to snatch my husband-to-be, and you're assisting her? You two must be conspiring together. Both of you are nothing but troublemakers!"

Jewell's fury was so intense that her complexion whitened, and she retorted, "Snatch your husband-to-be? Nonsense! You two—an unfaithful man and a home-wrecker—have no right to speak! Lorraine is the genuine bride getting married today!"

She assisted me in standing up and began guiding me towards the elevator.

"Oh, I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I got disoriented and put you through this," she expressed remorsefully. "Your face is so puffy. I'm not sure if cosmetics will conceal it. We can't be late for the ceremony—we need to hurry!"

However, before we could advance, Clay obstructed our path. His voice was icy and sharp. "You think you can just depart when your act falls apart? This isn't a place for you to come and go as you please. You've ruined my bride's mood! You're not leaving until you apologize!"

By this point, the guests had begun to gather around us. Most were clueless about the situation, but many recognized me—they were Clay's acquaintances.

Murmurs were already circulating through the crowd, and some people were beginning to question if Melissa was his mistress.

After all, no one had heard anything about Clay and me separating. Then, suddenly, they receive a wedding invitation? Naturally, people grew suspicious.

But Clay was willing to tarnish my reputation again just to preserve Melissa's image.

"Lorraine," he said with contempt, "if you hadn't been unfaithful with other men, we'd still be together. I was trying to end things cleanly and civilly, but you shamelessly appeared here!"

He looked me over, adding, "A promiscuous woman like you wearing a wedding gown? It's an insult to the dress itself—you're unworthy of it!"

Then, without warning, he ripped the veil off my head. Next, his hand moved to grab my dress.

Jewell lost control; she kicked him hard in the knee, positioning herself between us to protect me.

"How many times must I repeat myself before it penetrates your thick skull?! She's not here to disrupt anything! Her wedding is also today—just on a different floor!"

But the crowd started muttering, their whispers transforming into harsh, accusing stares. Even his friends seemed to believe him; they looked at me as if I were worthless.

Clay let out a mocking laugh as if the idea of me getting married was some kind of joke. "Her? Someone's marrying a woman like her? Come on, who are you trying to deceive?"

He kept calling me promiscuous, completely disregarding my current distress.

This was the same man whose attending physician I'd once provided with the experimental life-saving medication. Back then, he'd expressed gratitude, calling me his savior and vowing to love me forever.

But less than two weeks later, he'd transformed into a completely different person.

I'd barely managed to persuade myself to move on, but now he was here, trampling all over my dignity once more!

Taking advantage of Jewell's momentary hesitation, Clay grabbed at my gown again. This time, he tore off a piece of the fabric.

A shiver ran down my back and arm, and I felt the strap slide off my shoulder.

Jewell snapped back to reality and quickly removed her coat, draping it around me.

Clay sneered. "What's with the innocent act? A desperate woman like you, throwing yourself at anyone—shouldn't you relish all this attention?"

Melissa, clinging to his arm, scoffed. "With all the men here for the wedding, you've probably already picked a target, haven't you? Let me be clear—we still have our reputations. Don't you dare bring us down with your indecency!"

Jewell's anger erupted. She grabbed her bag and hurled it at them.

"You repulsive pair of lowlifes—be quiet!"

Someone from the crowd snickered. "Oh, look at her—seems like we hit a nerve."

More people joined in. Their comments were revolting and unbearable.

We were completely encircled, and not a single person listened to our side. We wanted to flee but couldn't find an escape route.