Chapter 4

Lydia Reese POV

At the next day's afternoon tea gathering between the two families, I didn't wear that plain outfit.

I came downstairs in a vibrant dress. The room full of rigid coffee sets and Carter family faces all looked gray in comparison.

Vincent's face darkened immediately.

When Harrison entered, his first glance also fell on me.

But Christine stood up first, her voice gentle as if shielding me.

"Lydia probably didn't rest well last night and didn't have time to change clothes. Everyone, please don't blame her."

I sat down without accepting this kindness.

If I really accepted it, the next line would be Christine's turn to show how sensible she was.

Before the coffee was even served, Harrison asked, "Did you read the behavior manual?"

I placed the unopened booklet on the table.

The cover was smooth without even a crease.

The Carter family members' faces immediately turned ugly.

Harrison's gaze also grew cold.

Christine seemed to have been waiting for this moment. She immediately pulled out another behavior checklist.

"I was worried Lydia would be too busy, so I put together a copy for her. The wedding procedures, gift exchange order, things to note when meeting Carter family members. I've marked everything."

She spoke carefully, but her hand steadily pushed the checklist in front of Harrison.

Harrison flipped through a few pages. His expression eased somewhat.

"Look at Christine."

He pushed the checklist in front of me.

"She knows to consider the big picture. What about you?"

Vincent chimed in. "Christine has always been sensible, more aware of propriety than you."

Everyone in the room looked at me.

I didn't touch that checklist.

This was the first knife Christine thrust at me before stealing my wedding, yet everyone thought this knife was dignified.

The gathering continued toward the wedding procedures.

The makeup trial, gift exchange, and meeting with Carter family members that should have been mine were pushed to Christine by Vincent with a single sentence.

"Since Christine has already organized everything, let her go through it first."

Harrison didn't stop it.

He only said, "Lydia's state has been unstable lately. It's good for Christine to walk through it once."

Christine lowered her head as if she were really just there to help.

She sat beside me, taking over one item after another.

I watched her take them.

The more she took, the worse the wedding day would look.

Midway through the gathering, Christine used the excuse of accompanying me to change coffee and brought me to a lounge.

As soon as the door closed, the obedience on Christine's face vanished.

"Will you tell Harrison in advance?"

I looked at her.

"Tell him what?"

Christine bit her lip. "You know what I'm asking. About the engagement being replaced. Will you say anything?"

I smiled.

"Don't you want to marry him? Go out right now and tell him you're the bride on the wedding day."

Christine's expression changed.

I took a step forward.

"You don't dare."

Christine's fingers clenched.

"You're afraid if he knows now, he won't let you take my place."

This sentence hit home.

The softness in Christine's eyes completely scattered. She lowered her voice and said, "On the wedding day, he'll see clearly who really belongs by his side."

When we returned to the living room, Vincent was discussing with the Carter family the trust assets my mother left me.

"Lydia's mother prepared those things years ago for the wedding. Since the wedding is still between our two families, it doesn't matter who marries in the end. Those assets should be used to maintain appearances."

My hands slowly clenched.

Harrison heard this.

He glanced at me.

Just one glance.

He didn't ask if those were things my mother specifically left for me. He didn't try to intercept those words on my behalf.

Christine lowered her head to drink coffee, unable to suppress the corner of her mouth.

After the gathering dispersed, I returned to my room to check the asset transfer progress.

The screen had just lit up when footsteps outside the door crack stopped.

When I looked up, the hallway was already empty.

The next moment, Christine's voice came from downstairs.

"Vincent, I think I just saw that Lydia has already started moving those assets..."

Vincent's footsteps quickly headed upstairs.