Chapter 4- Villainess on move

"Mr. Abhishek, is it true that your sister got into an accident a few days ago?" asked a man in a resplendent, expensive suit, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern.

Both of the men stood in a corner of the vast, opulent hall, which was poised to transform into a wedding venue. Mr. Abhishek, elegant yet tense, held a wine glass in his hand, his brow furrowed as he contemplated his response.

The hall around them shimmered with crystal chandeliers and intricate floral arrangements, creating a backdrop of luxury and anticipation for the upcoming ceremony.

"Indeed, she had lost her ability to walk, and it's disheartening for me, but from now on I will handle the company," Abhishek lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowed and a lost smile forming on his face.

"Hmm, I see..." The man hearing those words, which could only be understood by a high society member, now realized that the real owner of this company would be the man in front of him, the one who had caused the accident involving his sister.

Such manipulations were not uncommon among those who held the ability to climb the ranks.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen."

Suddenly, a captivating sound from the balcony drew the attention of everyone busy forming alliances with each other, causing them to turn their gazes towards two figures.

A handsome man in a black suit looked magnificent with his muscular physique, while a beautiful woman in a bridal gown stood beside him, smiling, her face entranced and tears evident.

Yet, no one seemed to care.

Why would they care about the tears of someone considered insignificant, marrying the sole heir of Raphael Group of Industries, Damien Raphael?

"Good evening, Mr. Raphael."

"Indeed, a very good evening. I must say, your bride is more beautiful than my wife! Hahaha!"

"Oh my, I can't deny that fact."

Each spoke from their viewpoint, their words filled with polite facade towards the star of the night, paying little heed to the woman who was here for Damien Raphael.

'I hate this,' thought Emilia, standing beside him, keenly observing the sports they wore like a lie, her eyes scrutinizing their faces while they mockingly laughed at her with their clear desire to climb up, even at the cost of someone's life.

That's all she could see in them.

Not a single person here showed any sympathy towards her.

"Shut up! Can't you all see that she is unhappy with this marriage!"

Suddenly, a voice resonated inside the hall, catching Emilia's attention. Her eyes slowly lifted to a man in a white shirt and pants, glaring at Damien.

'?!'

In that moment, Damien interlocked his fingers with hers, causing her gaze to shift towards him, thinking, 'What does he want now?'

Emilia appreciated the young man's sympathy towards her, but she also knew her family was under this man's control, so she remained silent.

"How dare he?"

"Who is this beggar?"

"How presumptuous of him to speak like that."

One after another, the background characters played their roles, not letting this opportunity slip away, revealing their offense while sugarcoating themselves in front of Damien Raphael.

"It's alright, gentlemen and ladies. I appreciate your concern, but it seems someone else should address this insolent behavior," Damien intervened, not allowing this event to pass unnoticed. He followed the actions of the background characters before turning towards Amelia, smiling and narrowing his eyes, noticing the frown on her face and understanding where this was heading.

Since Amelia had entered the room, she paid no attention to the people around her, focusing only on understanding Damien's intentions. Seeing the bride's tears now made it clear he was plotting something to gain Amelia's attention.

Previously, he had even staged fake relationships to provoke her jealousy, something Amelia appreciated, but in the end, her responsibilities came first, and she refused to hide behind the Raphael name.

"Damien, I think Edward is correct," Amelia stated, analyzing the situation. Her mind raced as she evaluated the implications of siding with her bodyguard.

She knew it was better to align herself with Edward than with Damien to avoid risking Damien misunderstanding her motives as her love for him.

Watching Damien use that innocent girl as a pawn while she cried struck a chord with Amelia, prompting her to take Edward's side.

"Miss Amelia, I didn't ask if he was correct. His tone is the problem," Damien snapped, his eyes flicking toward Edward before narrowing at Amelia, who stood with folded arms, defiant. "And also, you should call me Damien Raphael, since I don't think we're that close."

'...What the...' Amelia's fingers twitched at his words, but she quickly composed herself. She recognized this as Damien's attempt to appear strong in front of so many onlookers. She nodded slightly, maintaining her poise. "I understand, Mr. Damien Raphael, but I would like to reiterate what my bodyguard said: Why is the lady beside you crying?"

Damien glanced at the woman beside him, a smile curling his lips. Amelia's eyes met his, and she saw a flicker of triumph there, her pupils dilating with a mix of dread and defiance.

Emilia, standing next to Damien, was indeed heartbroken and terrified. Despite the faint support she received from those two individuals, she knew it wouldn't translate to real help.

Her father was dead, her mother was drowning in debt, and her sole source of support was Damien Raphael. Her lips quivered as she tried to speak up. "N-no, these tears—"

But Damien interrupted smoothly, "Exactly, these tears are of happiness, not pain."

'...What?' Amelia was baffled by Damien's claim, especially when Emilia's sadness was palpable, and it was obvious she was being forced into this marriage.

"Y-yes... I," Emilia stammered, attempting to back up Damien's words, her hands clutching her dress tightly. Her body trembled, and she bit her lip, barely holding back her tears.

"Bullshit! Don't think that just because you have money you can buy anyone, Damien Raphael. I know what kind of person you are," Edward retorted. He noticed Emilia's subtle lip-biting and trembling body, her fingers clenched around her dress. It was clear to him that she was being forced into this marriage.

Edward's concern for the woman, despite just meeting her, stemmed from his disdain for those who used their power to control others' lives.

He wasn't about to let this slide.

'Keep walking, you're on the right track,' Damien thought, his lips forming a sinister smile. He moved his hands before wrapping an arm around Emilia's waist, pulling her into his embrace. Her already fragile body collapsed against him. His smile turned into a cold gaze as he fixed his eyes on Amelia. "Miss Amelia, I know that I previously rejected your advances, but now I want to marry and be happy. Seeing you bring this barbarian here to ruin my wedding suggests you're still in love with me and can't stand to see me marry someone else."

'?!'

'Will you look at that,' thought a woman standing in one of the dimly lit corners of the hall. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her curves, the deep neckline revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. Her dark red lips curled into a knowing smile, partly hidden by the elegant fan she held. She bit the corner of her lip, feeling a thrill of excitement at the unfolding drama. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, focused intently on the young man causing the commotion. A small mole near the curve of her cleavage accentuated her allure as she pondered her next move. 'Damien Raphael, wasn't it? Should I kidnap you, huh?'

The thought of such a bold move stirred her adrenaline, her mind racing with possibilities. The fan snapped shut in her hand with a decisive flick, her gaze never leaving Damien, as if marking him as her target.