Chapter 4

I rushed to the door like a madwoman, pounding on it hard.

"Open the door! What right do you have to lock me up! Open the door!"

Outside, Coran's amplified voice came through. He held a microphone, his voice spreading throughout the hall via the speakers.

"Dear guests, I apologize for that little episode earlier."

"Now, my former fiancée who rejected me is in the storage room backstage reflecting. What do you all think—when will she come to her senses?"

Raucous laughter erupted from below.

"Coran is so funny!"

"This is more exciting than watching a movie!"

"That woman deserves it!"

I had become the openly displayed joke of this wedding.

My phone vibrated.

I took it out and saw a message from my mother.

"Cinnia, stop making a scene. Your sister's happiness is what matters most. Just apologize to Coran and this whole thing will be over."

I stared at the words on the screen.

My sister's happiness is what matters most.

What about me?

Doesn't my happiness matter?

Doesn't my dignity matter?

Do I deserve to be humiliated, locked up, treated as a joke?

The music outside grew louder. Coran and Vivian began to dance. The guests' applause and cheers grew wave after wave.

And I, like garbage, was locked in this dark corner.

My phone vibrated again.

This time it was from Vivian.

"Cinnia, I know you're angry right now. But think about it—Coran is so excellent, he deserves better. Just stop being stubborn, okay?"

I slid down along the door and curled up into a ball.

The physical pain, my family's betrayal, my lover's humiliation, and the departure of the person who said he would protect me—all of it pushed me into a bottomless abyss.

I didn't even have the strength to cry anymore.

So be it.

Let them mock me.

Let them gloat.

I have nothing left anyway.

Coran's voice came from outside: "Everyone, now for the most exciting part. Let's go see if our former fiancée has come to her senses yet!"

Footsteps drew closer.

The sound of the key turning rang out.

The door opened, and blinding light flooded in.

Coran stood in the doorway, followed by a crowd of guests, all holding up their phones to record.

"Cinnia, how's your thinking going? Ready to apologize?"

I raised my head, about to speak.

Suddenly, the main door of the wedding venue was violently pushed open.

A group of people burst in. Cedric stood at the entrance, followed by dozens of imposing bodyguards in black.

The entire hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone froze, including Coran.

Cedric took off his suit jacket and strode toward me.

His leg was still crippled.

He draped the jacket over me, then without a word, scooped me up in his arms.

"What are you doing! Put her down!" Coran finally snapped out of it.

Cedric didn't even glance at him.

In that moment, I felt like I had come back to life.

"Cedric, you think you can turn the tables with a crippled leg and a few men?" Coran was furious with humiliation.

At that moment, a well-dressed middle-aged man stepped forward.

He held a document in his hand and threw it directly in Coran's face.

"Mr. Coran, from this moment on, 35% of Bronzefang pack's resources belong to Cedric. Your company has gone bankrupt, and you have been stripped of your position as Alpha heir by your father."