"[Suicide?]

The room fell silent after Cain ended the call. He looked at everyone gathered, his voice calm but laced with tension. "Father wants Maria to be the maid of honor."

The words hung heavy in the air, slicing through the moment like a blade. Claire's face twitched with disbelief. Her hand instinctively sought Beth's, clutching it for support. "But Cain," she said, her voice trembling yet resolute, "I already asked Beth. She's my best friend. She's been by my side through everything. I want her to accompany me on my big day."

Cain's jaw tightened, his teeth grinding audibly. "Claire, I—"

Beth stepped forward, cutting him off. "Cain," she snapped, her tone sharp as glass, "I'm sorry, but your father has no right to decide for Claire. This is her wedding, her moment, and Maria? Really? After everything?"

Beth's glare shifted from Cain to Maria, whose eyes filled with crocodile tears.

"Beth," Cain sighed, running a hand through his hair, "it's not my choice. My father—"

"Your father?" Beth scoffed, crossing her arms. "Cain, your father doesn't get to dictate Claire's happiness. And Maria?" Her voice dropped with disdain. "Maria, who pretends to be innocent but stabs everyone in the back? How low can you sink?"

Maria's lip quivered, a carefully calculated display of vulnerability. "I didn't do anything," she said softly, her voice trembling. "You can ask Dad. I never asked to be the maid of honor. I wouldn't dream of it. I'm just grateful to even attend the wedding... if you'll let me."

"Maria," Madame Lana's voice echoed from the entrance, sharp and unyielding. The matriarch strode into the room, her presence commanding. "You've caused enough chaos. Why don't you do us all a favor and go back abroad? Stop ruining everyone's lives."

Maria's eyes widened in mock hurt, her hands clasping together as if begging for mercy. "Lola, I didn't mean—"

"Didn't mean what?" Madame Lana's voice rose. "Didn't mean to manipulate everyone? Didn't mean to stir trouble at your brother's wedding? Or didn't mean to be this shameless?"

The tension crackled like a storm about to break. Claire, feeling the weight of the moment, stood up. "Enough," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the noise. "This is my wedding. I want peace, not arguments. Beth is my maid of honor. That's final."

Beth gave Claire an encouraging smile. "Well said, Claire. And Maria, if you're truly as innocent as you claim, call your dad right now and tell him you don't want the position."

Maria hesitated, her face a mask of conflict. Finally, she pulled out her phone. "Fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it. I just want to be part of the day, nothing more."

The room settled into an uneasy calm. Claire and Beth exchanged a look, a silent confirmation that they'd won this battle.

But as the others dispersed, Beth caught Cain's arm, her expression serious. "Cain," she said, "we need to talk."

Cain stopped, his face a mask of impatience. "What is it Beth ? How can I help?"

"Help? You wanna help me? Oh please! Help yourself first." Beth rolled her eyes.

"Do you even hear yourself?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You're supposed to be this powerful, fearsome man, but when it comes to Claire's happiness, you crumble at your father's word. What kind of husband will that make you?"

Cain's eyes narrowed. "You don't understand."

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Beth shot back. "Claire had to stand up for herself today because you didn't. It's her wedding day, Cain. She deserves your support, not silence."

Cain's face darkened. "Beth, it's not that simple."

"It *should* be simple," Beth said, her voice filled with frustration. "You're marrying Claire. You're supposed to protect her, prioritize her, make her feel safe. Instead, you're letting your father's influence dictate everything. What happens after the wedding? Will she have to fight for your support every time?"

Her words hit Cain like a punch to the gut. He clenched his fists, his mind racing. "I see your point," he said finally, his voice low. "I'll fix this. I promise."

"You'd better," Beth replied, stepping back. "Claire deserves better than this."

Cain nodded, leaving the room with a heavy heart. But as he drove to his office, Beth's words echoed in his mind. *Claire stood up for herself in your presence.* The realization stung. She shouldn't have had to.

At the office, Mark handed Cain a file. "Wedding venue designs, sir."

Cain flipped through the pages, but his mind wasn't on the decorations. His thoughts kept circling back to Claire and his father's overreach. He knew he was walking a tightrope. His father held more power than him for now, and any defiance could put Claire in danger. Until Cain secured the Wilson empire, he was bound by his father's whims. Offending his father will eventually put Claire in difficult position. His father would always prioritize Maria over Claire.

But was that an excuse? Cain's grip on the file tightened. No. He couldn't let Claire bear the consequences of his struggles. He had to find a way to protect her, to shield her from his family's schemes. And for that, he needed power—complete, unquestionable control over the Wilson legacy.

For now, he would play the game. But in his heart, a storm was brewing. Cain sat there flipping over the Orcana city project as this might gain him a plus point near his grandfather.

As he was still figuring things out Mark barged into his office with a panic expression. "Sir-- Miss Maira-- She-She attempted to kill herself. She is in hospital, your father is on the way."

Cain got up from his chair, the pen in his hand digging the flesh of his palm- how can this happen? Wasn't everything fine when he left the house this morning? Was Maria still upto something? And moreover now that his Father will be involved he will surely dig the previous matters to figure out the conflicts between Claire and Maria.

What was he supposed to do? He just owed to protect Claire. And now?