Chapter 3: The Wedding

The most awaited union between the Smith Family and the Quinn Family would be happening today. As agreed by both families, the wedding ceremony would be held in the Beach Resort owned by Michael Smith.

He chose the beach wedding theme. The Quinn family complied with whatever request from the old billionaire. Only a selected few were invited– close family members and friends.

This was a private ceremony. No media company and reporters were invited.

The guests were wearing black tuxedos for gentlemen and mint green long gowns for ladies. 

Alexander and Minerva couldn't contain their excitement. To be part of the Smiths was like a dream come true. Among the four powerful and wealthy families in the Golden City, Michael Smith chose the Quinn Family.

"Mom, Dad… I thought this was the wedding of the century, why are there no reporters around?" Diana asked her parents as her eyes roamed around the venue.

Diana was searching for reporters who would cover this wedding because she just wanted to let the whole country know that her troublemaker sister was marrying an old billionaire. She hoped that the public would think of Arabella as a gold digger.

"Michael forbade reporters to attend because of his son. His son is a lowkey, reserved, and aloof person. He hates to be seen in the media or any news article," Alexander responded in a low voice.

"What?! Michael Smith has a son?" Diana didn't hear anything about the billionaire's son. She wondered if he was also gorgeous just like his father.

"Yes. But as far as I could remember, his son severed ties with him a long time ago. He has been living overseas for the past thirteen years. I don't know why he is attending today's wedding." Alexander rubbed his chin. "Perhaps, he wants to reconcile with his father."

"Maybe he felt threatened by Arabella's presence. He might lose all his father's inheritance once Arabella bears a child." Diana nonchalantly said, shrugging her shoulders while grinning from ear to ear. 

Diana was looking forward to seeing Michael's son bullying Arabella as they fought for the old man's inheritance. 

"You should tell your rebellious daughter to consummate this wedding soon! She has to get the advantage. Michael Smith's only heir is returning!" Minerva urged her husband.

"Should I drug her during the wedding reception so that she won't refuse to have sex with Michael Smith tonight?" she added.

"Yes, Mom! That's a good idea." Diana supported her mother's suggestion, a sly smile appearing on her face.

The conversation between the Quinn Family was interrupted when the host announced the arrival of the groom and bride.

Michael Smith, in his dark suit, showed up, walking side by side with the most beautiful bride. Arabella's off-shoulder white fitted long gown accentuated her excellent figure, her long wavy brown hair cascading down her waist. She has a beautiful flower crown on top of her head.

The guests gasped upon seeing the young and stunning bride. No wonder Michael Smith chose Arabella to be his wife. She was like the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite. She also possessed a fierce aura, yet elegant. 

Her fair skin matched her light makeup. She looked perfect with her heart-shaped face, kissable red lips, and mesmerizing emerald eyes. Bachelor men couldn't take their eyes off her, including Oliver Yan.

Oliver Yan was against this marriage. He didn't want his best friend to marry an old man. But he didn't have the right to stop Arabella from doing so. Their relationship started to fall apart when he became Diana's boyfriend.

Oliver's eyes never left Arabella's figure. But aside from him, another guy hiding in the crowd was observing Arabella from a distance. His gaze had been following her ever since she showed up. 

"So this is the woman whom he chose to permanently replace my mother…" he murmured through his gritted teeth while clenching his fists. Anger and bitterness surged up inside his heart.

Liam Smith, the only son of Michael Smith, returned to the country after getting an intriguing wedding invitation from his father. Along with the invitation, the old man sent him Arabella's photo.

Liam's interest was piqued upon seeing Arabella's photo. He didn't expect that a rich young beautiful woman like her would agree to marry his father. He already presumed that this woman was only after the money of his billionaire father.

At first, Liam was reluctant to attend the wedding. His hatred for his father intensified because he felt like his father had already forgotten his mother. This kind of thought provoked him to return. But aside from that, part of him was curious about Arabella. 

In the end, he just found himself boarding a plane going back to this country a day before the wedding. And now, he was standing at the back, watching his father and Arabella walking at the center of the improvised wedding altar as they greeted all the guests.

Liam's attention was still focused on Arabella when suddenly he heard his father's voice, calling him. Michael spotted him.

"Before anything else, I would like to request my son to join us here. I have a very important announcement to make."

Everyone followed Michael's line of sight, including Arabella. Her emerald eyes met Liam's blue eyes as soon as she turned in his direction. Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing the sharp scorching gaze coming from the gorgeous man in a white suit. She caught him already looking at her.

'Damn. He is so damn hot… Wait… why do I feel like he is skinning me alive with that kind of gaze,' Arabella chewed on her lower lip at that thought.

Meanwhile, the other ladies who saw Liam swooned in their respective spots. They were captivated and bewitched by Liam's handsomeness and charisma.

"Oh my gosh! He is Michael Smith's son?!" Diana's jaw dropped with her eyes wide open. She tugged her mother's arms in disbelief.

No one had ever told her that Michael Smith had a super handsome son. Diana couldn't stop herself from drooling over him. Not only Diana, but the other women started fantasizing about Liam.

He was tall and muscular. His suit fit his figure perfectly. His face looked so cold and aloof yet devilishly handsome with his casual brushed-up top hairstyle. He was the epitome of every woman's ideal type of a guy… the cream of the crop!

Liam tried to ignore the several pairs of eyes lusting over him. With an indifferent expression on his face, Liam walked over, approaching his father and the beautiful bride.

Arabella's heart pounded so hard when Liam was inching closer and closer to them. Then her heartbeat raced even faster when Liam reached their spot and stood next to her.

Arabella was nervous, not only because of Liam's presence but because of the announcement Michael was going to make in front of everyone. She was worried about how Liam would react since he was still clueless about this.

'What will happen if this guy denies Michael's statement? I will become a laughingstock here.' Arabella began to think how she would stop Liam from contradicting his father's words.

"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for attending this special occasion of my life. You are here to witness the union between the Smith Family and the Quinn Family."

"Now, let's begin the wedding ceremony between Arabella and my son, Liam!" Michael declared, shocking everyone including his son, Liam.

Liam turned to his father with his angry eyes. "What the fuck is this?"

But before he could complain to his father, Liam felt a hand, turning his body around. The next thing that happened was Arabella fiercely claiming his lips with her lips, kissing him passionately in front of everyone.

Liam's mind went blank and his body froze the moment his lips met her soft lips, roughly brushing his. She even bit his lower lip, making him part his lips as her tongue entered his mouth.

'Damn! She's a great kisser.' Liam admitted to himself.

Everyone's jaws dropped as they witnessed these unfolding scenes. Who would have thought this wedding had a plot twist? Arabella's family was utterly shocked by this sudden turn of events.

When Arabella broke the kiss, she grabbed Liam's hand. He was still in a trance.

"Let's skip the wedding ceremony. Let's proceed to the honeymoon stage!"

Liam: "..."

Everyone: "..."

After saying that, Arabella dragged her groom with her, leaving the venue as fast as she could.

Michael could only chuckle as he watched Arabella and his son running away together.

"Ahem. Ladies and gentlemen… that concludes the wedding ceremony. Don't worry… this wedding is official. The two signed their marriage certificates and I already submitted them to the Civil Registrar."