Chapter 4

The "worthless pebble" wasn't very big. Elias picked it up with a complicated look in his eyes.

Athena snatched it, gave it a quick glance, then tossed it back on the ground, wiping her hands on Elias and herself in disgust.

"Honey, stop looking at it. It's filthy," she said.

"Just a worthless pebble. Who knows what germs it has? I thought she was just feeling a bit regretful, but I didn't realize she had mental issues."

"We should throw this thing away. What if Mr. Channing, whom we've invited, shows up? Who knows how embarrassing it could be for us!"

The object was left on the ground. I frowned, snatching up the "worthless pebble."

Someone bumped my shoulder, and a few people who couldn't stand it anymore crowded around, pushing me.

"Are you trying to ruin this on purpose? It's their big day, and you're giving them a rock."

"Get lost! Important people are coming to Mr. Montgomery and Athena's wedding later!"

"We might even see Mr. Channing today. He's always on the news. You standing here is making the air dirty.""

They kissed passionately, their lips meeting in a fiery embrace. As they parted, breathless, she gazed into his smoldering eyes.

'He's a big shot, you know. His assets are worth over 10 billion, with countless business ventures. He could crush you with his pinky finger!'

Worthless pebble?

These people have terrible judgment.

At the mention of Mr. Channing, excitement rippled through the crowd. The shoving became more forceful as they pushed me towards the champagne tower.

Athena stood with her arms crossed, watching me like it was some kind of spectacle as I was herded towards the drinks.

Just as I was about to collide with the tower, Elias couldn't take it anymore.

'Enough!'

He strode forward quickly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me out of the crowd.

'This is my wedding day. Don't make such a scene!'

With a warning glare, he glanced at his watch and released me with a furrowed brow.

'Vesper, stop making a fool of yourself!'

'Thank God you're out of my life. Even if you sacrificed your life for me, you still wouldn't be good enough.'

'Go marry some average Joe instead.'

He slipped that 'worthless pebble' back into my pocket and stepped back, gesturing for me to leave.

'You're still the same as before, fond of these worthless pebbles.'

'Alright, I know you're doing all this because you love me.'

'I don't blame you. Now go.'

"The door opened with a commotion as someone rushed in, sprinting straight to Elias. Their forehead veins were throbbing with excitement.

"Mr. Montgomery, the person you invited is really here. It's Mr. Channing."

"He's here!"

No one paid attention to me anymore. All eyes turned towards the entrance.

Seeing those luxury cars, some people were so thrilled their hands shook, unable to speak coherently.

"Look at those cars! They're limited edition worldwide. It'd be worth it just to ride in one once in your life. That's the power of being a rich young master!"

"If it weren't for Elias's connection, I'd never see this kind of wealthy heir in real life."

"With Vesper still here, isn't it a bit cheap?"

I was speechless.

I raised an eyebrow and looked towards the door, my expression unchanged.

Didn't he say he wasn't coming?

Elias walked past me towards the entrance. Athena hurriedly tried to follow. As they passed by me, I emotionlessly placed the stone in the box.

"Elias, you're as shortsighted as ever. This is a 386-carat sapphire, and you treat it like a pebble."

"The necklace on Athena's neck is fake. You bragged online about spending three million on it."

"Idiot."He didn't seem to catch what I said, muttering something under his breath. The next second, Athena beside him roared in anger.

"You psycho! Have you gone mad thinking about money, spouting such nonsense!"

The commotion at the door grew increasingly chaotic, with voices introducing themselves and exchanging greetings coming in waves.

Elias's face showed growing anxiety as he glanced repeatedly toward the door, but Athena had no intention of letting me off the hook.

She shoved me forcefully to the ground and raised her hand to slap me, but I managed to grab it just before it struck my face.

Fury etched across her features, Athena latched onto the man's sleeve with an iron grip.

"Elias, hold her down for me. I can't swallow this insult!"

"If I don't slap her today, I'll be damned if I accompany you to meet Mr. Channing!"

Elias's expression shifted, but he remained silent, his hand instinctively holding me back.

Pinned to the ground, I saw a hint of viciousness in Athena's eyes. But that impending slap, suspended in mid-air, was once again intercepted.

The strikingly handsome man, who had captured everyone's attention, had somehow made his way to the front, flanked by bodyguards. He grabbed Athena's hand, stopping her assault.

As someone helped me to my feet, Elias seemed to snap back to reality. Ignoring Athena, his face flushed crimson.

"Chan... Mr.Channing could come to our wedding..."

"I... Ahhhhh!"

The nodding waiter's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and in the next second, he was kicked away forcefully.

Amidst the screams of pain, Athena let out a frightened sob.

One step, two steps, and as the person approached me, my hand was immediately grasped tightly.

The man who usually maintained his image in public cleared his throat twice in my direction.

"Darling, let me introduce myself."