Chapter 5
Until now, I had only seen Elijah as a composed and successful businessman. I never imagined he could make such a cutting remark.
Johnathan turned red with rage. “You! You’re just a lying show–off! Once your bluff is called, let’s see how you can still hold your head up!”
I shook my head and directed my gaze squarely at Jared.
“Betting with your lackey is pointless, Jared. How about you bet with me instead?”
Jared always used me as the subject of his bets. This time, I wanted to turn the tables.
eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite decipher, but a moment later, his lips curled into a smirk.
“Alright. Let’s bet. If you lose, you’ll take off your wedding dress in front of everyone and hand it over to Cora respectfully.”
It was ridiculous how Jared had fixated on my wedding dress just because Cora had mentioned liking it. Even his wager revolved around it. How devoted they were, this so–called “perfect couple.”
I let out a cold laugh. “And if you lose?”
Jared raised an eyebrow. “If I lose, I’ll kneel and apologize to you in front of everyone.”
As soon as I stated the stakes, the atmosphere shifted. Everyone’s expressions changed.
Cora leaned in and whispered to Jared, “Don’t worry, Jared, you can’t lose. I’m her bridesmaid–I know her wedding isn’t even happening here!”
Faced with Cora Hope’s confident declaration, I calmly explained, “You think my wedding isn’t happening here? Actually, my husband arranged three venues for our wedding. One by the beach, one in the mountains, and one right here in the grand hall.”
Cora rolled her eyes so blatantly that she didn’t even bother to hide it. “Oh, sure. Why not say you’re having a wedding in outer space too? Three venues, really.”
Jared Donovan stared at me, his expression foreign and unreadable.
He asked, “Elizabeth, do you hate me that much?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Shouldn’t I be asking you the same question? Jared, do you hate me that much? This bet–it was your idea to begin with.
“Fine, fine, fine!” Jared clapped his hands with a laugh, his tone mocking. “You want to play? Let’s play then!”
“Elizabeth, what fun is it if it’s just the two of us betting? Since today is your wedding day, I’ll call some people over to make it livelier!”
Jared grabbed a megaphone and shouted toward a baby’s 100–day celebration party nearby. “Hey! We’re betting here and need some witnesses. Come join us–100 bucks per person!”
Hearing that simply being a spectator could earn them money, plenty of guests started crowding around us.
In the end, even the baby’s parents came over, carrying their child to see what was happening.
Surrounded by dozens of onlookers, Jared announced the terms of our bet.
“If she loses, she’ll take off her wedding dress and hand it over to my fiancée.”
“If I lose, I’ll kneel and apologize to her with three kowtows!”
The crowd gasped, both surprised at the stakes and eager to record the spectacle on their phones.
They’murmured among themselves, “What’s their relationship? Even if they were enemies, this is an extreme bet!”
I shook my head and smiled bitterly.
We weren’t enemies. We were once childhood friends who promised to spend our lives together.
10.40
“Alright, the bet is set, and we have enough witnesses. Elizabeth, it’s time to take us to your wedding venue,” Jared said, crossing his arms over his chest, looking smug and ready for a show.
I glanced at Elijah Weston beside me, nervously clutching his shirt.
I had already told him about my history with Jared, explaining everything in detail.
Yesterday, I even showed him the video of Jared planning to humiliate me.
I told Elijah that I would still show up at Jared’s invitation–not to elope, but to sever ties with him once and for all.
Elijah hadn’t stopped me. Instead, he told me he had already booked the grand hall at Emerald Manor.
“If you’re going to confront Jared, we’ll just hold our wedding there. That way, you won’t have to run around,” he had said.
Tough he seemed unfazed, I knew how difficult this kind of situation could be for any man.
Now, I wasn’t entirely sure if he had been serious.
I tugged at Elijah’s shirt, my voice uncertain. “Let’s go. Let’s get married.”
Elijah smiled warmly, taking my hand in his. His gentle demeanor calmed me slightly, and I started to believe he hadn’t lied.
But just as I was beginning to feel secure, he suddenly said, “Wait. We can’t go just yet.”
My heart skipped a beat.
I stared at Elijah in disbelief, unsure of what to think.
Was I about to be played by two men in one day?
18:46
