Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: The Subject of the Ladies’ Envy
<.The wedding venue in the afternoon.>

“Wow! Phanie! You’re a goddess!”

Fridah’s exclamation, followed by more praises from the other ladies carved a smile on Stephanie’s face. She had just stepped out of the inner room where she got herself dolled up by a team of professional make-up artists.

“My daughter is so gorgeous,” Samantha strode toward Stephanie, her eyes tearing up upon seeing the lady’s appearance in the wedding dress, “You’re so beautiful, Phanie.”

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you, everyone.”

Stephanie answered sweetly, her heart brimming with vanity. She looked at the wide full-length mirror, taking in her whole appearance.

Stephanie believed she was the epitome of elegance. Her gold wedding gown shimmered with every, even slight movement, adorning the intricate, hand-sewn embroidery.

The fitted bodice perfectly clung to Stephanie’s slender figure, accentuating her curves. Her blond hair was styled into an elaborate chignon, decorated with golden pins that sparkled like stars.

A diamond choker adorned Stephanie’s graceful neck. The thin gold band was studded with small, brilliant-cut diamonds.

The piece was minimalist yet, radiant, enhancing the shimmer of her gown without competing with the dress details.

“Ms. Sunny’s team worked wonders on you. You look beyond perfect.”

Samantha sighed in awe, admiring the way the renowned make-up artist and her team brought Stephanie’s beauty to another level.

The bride’s porcelain complexion glowed, highlighting her smoldering smoky eyes. Her plump lips were painted red, hinting at seduction.

Curling up her lips, Stephanie lightly touched her face with her blue eyes still on the mirror, “I really love it, Mom. It’s much, much better than how I’ve imagined.”

Stephanie didn’t mind the long preparation hours she had to endure before getting the final results. After all, she wanted to look the best on her wedding day with Matthias.

“Aunt Samantha, you should take photos with Phanie,” Fridah suggested, thinking it was the best thing to do before the ceremony began.

“Come, Mom. Let’s take photos together,” Stephanie wrapped her arms around Samantha, acting coyly, “The photographers are here.”

“Hehe, sure,” Samantha nodded, easily agreeing with Stephanie.

A few photographers gathered inside the dressing room from the beginning. They were tasked to take photos and record videos when Stephanie was being dolled up by Sunny’s team.

Stephanie, Samantha and the others moved to the area where a dais was set up. The raised platform was draped in champagne and ivory silk, framed by cascading white roses and golden orchids.

Stephanie sat perched on the edge, holding an elaborate bouquet. Fridah and Amber helped to arrange her gown, letting it flow like liquid gold. The other bridesmaids followed suit.

Samantha sank into the space next to Stephanie, lovingly holding the daughter she cherished since young. Her heart melted upon thinking of the new happiness Stephanie would achieve today.

“Phanie, you know that Mom will always love you, right?”

A glint of satisfaction and pride flickered in Stephanie’s blue eyes. Nodding softly, she gave the sweetest smile to Samantha.

“I know, Mom. I’ll always love you too.”

This woman’s motherly love would always be for her. Not even Lariette, the biological daughter could take it away.

The team of photographers did their job well, capturing the blissful moments shared between the bride-to-be and her beloved mother.

After Samantha, the bridal party also commemorated the moments with Stephanie, followed by the other relatives and close friends who dropped by the dressing room.

“My sister! You look so gorgeous!”

Alaric exclaimed proudly once he entered the room, seeing Stephanie in the wedding gown. Declan, Rafael and Celina followed from behind.

And…

Also Leon.

“Thank you, Eric. Oh, Leon is here too.”

Stephanie smiled demurely despite never expecting to see Alaric bringing Leon along. The sandy-blond-haired man returned the smile with something only she could tell.

“Leon is just like your brother so, why not?” Alaric patted Leon’s back, a wide smile plastered on his face, “Let’s take some photos. We can’t stay here for long.”

“Come, everyone,” Samantha urged her sons, Leon and Celina to join, “I’ll go and get your dad. Your grandfather is here already too.”

“Okay.”

Still sitting on the dais, Stephanie inadvertently clenched her legs. Her thoughts churned treacherously, recalling the passionate night she spent in secret with Leon last night.

Under Stephanie’s pleas, Leon didn’t leave marks on her body—aside from between her inner thighs. She could only hope they would disappear before her wedding night with Matthias later.

If not, she had to make sure all the lights were out.

Samantha returned with Jonathan and Chairman Delaney. Stephanie was happy to receive compliments from her father but… her grandfather’s reaction was quite lukewarm.

Seeing the elderly man’s lackluster smile when greeting her churned her guts.

Because… she couldn’t help but sense something foreboding coming with him.

“Grandpa, where’s Lari? Is she outside? With her husband?”

Stephanie sweetened her voice more as she hugged Chairman Delaney’s right arm. The photo session with them had just ended.

If Lariette arrived right now, dressed in gold, surely everyone in the dressing room would taunt her. Stephanie couldn’t wait to witness the former being humiliated.

The helper Stephanie contacted yesterday confirmed that Lariette followed what was indicated in her wedding invitation. She also received a few photos of the gold dress.

“I’ve told her to come early,” Samantha chimed in even before Chairman Delaney said anything, “She’s the bride’s sister. How could she come late?”

“Mom, don’t start, please,” Declan interjected, his brows furrowing, “Lari will still come. Even if she comes early, you’ll still pick a fight with her.”

“Dec is right,” Rafael shrugged, looking disinterested, “It’s Phanie’s wedding today so, let’s just enjoy the day without making a fuss, okay?”

Samantha was tongue-tied. Her widened eyes stared at her eldest and third son. She wanted to retort but, her elderly father’s warning look stopped her.

Flustered, Stephanie tried to calm them down, “It’s nothing. I just wonder where Lari is.”

Samantha ended up glaring at Declan and Rafael before smiling at Stephanie as if to comfort the lady.

The two men exchanged a glance before they stepped out of the room. Celina quickly followed.

Alaric wanted to say something but, knew that Chairman Delaney might chew him out. He nudged at Leon, telling him to leave.

Leon glanced at Stephanie for a moment before turning to follow Alaric. She bit her lip, sensing her inner thighs tingled, caused by the man’s heated stare.

“Mom and Dad will go and greet the guests. See you later, Phanie.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Samantha hugged Stephanie before she tailed after Jonathan. The guests had started arriving at the glass hall where the ceremony would be officiated.

“Haa… I’m nervous.”

Stephanie returned to sit on the dais, being careful with her gown. Only the make-up team, the photographers and a few of her bridesmaids were there with her.

Fridah went outside, following Samantha to greet the guests. She would return soon before Stephanie was escorted to the venue.

“Don’t be nervous ah. You’re marrying Matthias,” Amber lightly patted Stephanie’s back, hiding her jealousy in her cheerful voice, “Other ladies will…”

Fridah’s yelling cut the rest of Amber’s words.

“Phanie! That bitch! She screwed us!”

Stephanie’s blue eyes widened, frightened by the anxious look on Fridah’s face.