Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: He Met His Match

Only those who hadn’t heard of Owen’s recent scandals missed the hidden message in Olivia’s vow. She had promised him that, however he treated her, she would return it, “a hundredfold.”

In other words, if Owen strayed again, she wouldn’t hesitate to repay him in kind. If he betrayed her, she would be just as cold and ruthless.

At first, Owen smiled, oblivious to her words’ deeper meaning. But when he met her eyes and saw the steely look there, his smile faded, and his face tightened as understanding dawned.

In the front row, Adam and Stella exchanged a tense look, while Adam drummed his fingers on his leg. Seated beside them, Aurora fought back a chuckle, a knowing smile lighting her face as she took in the whole scene.

‘You both deserve each other without a doubt. Go ahead and hurt each other without holding back,’ she said to herself as she folded her arms below her chest without taking her triumphant gaze off the altar.

On the other side, Patricia and Richard traded worried glances. “Encouraging this relationship was a mistake,” Patricia murmured, regretful.

Richard gave a small nod. “Completely agree. But I’ll be damned if anyone drags our family name through the mud. We’ve worked too hard to get here.”

Behind Owen’s parents, Asher leaned toward Xander. “Good thing your parents didn’t come,” he whispered with a grin.

“They would have fainted,” Xander replied dryly, his focus still on the ceremony.

With the vows exchanged, the priest blessed their union, and applause swept through the crowd. Owen let out a shaky breath and met Olivia’s blank stare. With the photographers snapping away, he reached for her hands, forcing a stiff smile. But when he leaned in for a kiss, she coolly turned her face, so his lips landed on her cheek instead.

“Don’t even try it,” she murmured through a fake smile.

A pang of humiliation jolted through Owen, the message crystal clear: their relationship, strained beyond repair, would never be the same. For the guests, he maintained the facade, but inwardly, he felt his composure slipping.

Aurora barely contained her chuckle as she watched. She knew Adam and Stella could hear her reaction, but she didn’t care.

‘Owen, if you hadn’t gotten together with Olivia behind my back, I might have been the one embarrassed and dealing with your excesses—the lies, the cheating, the scandals today. Fortunately, you met your match well deserving of your humiliation. And I hope she enjoys every bit of it.

When the applause died down, a live band began to play softly. Owen and Olivia moved behind a table to sign their marriage certificate, with their parents stepping forward to witness. Afterwards, they posed for photos with the priest, then with both sets of parents, and soon more family members joined in.

Richard waved Xander over to join the family photos. Buttoning his jacket, Xander glanced at Aurora before heading to the stage. Aurora stayed seated, but a familiar voice sounded from behind her, grasping her attention.

“What are you doing sitting here instead of joining the family photos?”

She turned quickly, recognizing the familiar voice, and looked up to see her aunt, Stephanie. “Aunt Stephanie,” she greeted, a trace of surprise on her face. She had thought her Aunt wouldn’t come since she didn’t arrive before the ceremony kicked off, especially after Owen’s scandal that broke the internet.

Stephanie’s gaze slid over to the group on stage, her expression thoughtful. She took a seat beside Aurora, folding her hands elegantly in her lap. “I imagine you’re relieved that Olivia ended up with him in the end,” she said.

Aurora didn’t deny it. Pretending was a luxury she rarely indulged in, especially not today. She looked over at the couple on stage and replied, “Olivia got exactly what she deserved. It’s only fair I enjoy this.” She raised her brows slightly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Don’t you agree?”

Stephanie studied her niece for a moment, then gave a small, approving nod. “I can’t argue with that.” They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Stephanie continued. “You were once blind, Aurora, I’m glad you can see now. Let’s see what you can do now”

Aurora watched as Stephanie rose gracefully and strode toward the stage to join in the family photos. Her aunt’s words lingered, heavy with a meaning she couldn’t quite decipher. As she pondered Stephanie’s words, Adam called her name from the stage, motioning for her to join the photos.

Aurora climbed onto the stage, and after a few group shots, turned to leave, but her father reached for her hand, his grip warm and steady. “Dear, let’s take one together,” he said with a rare smile. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a photo together.”

Aurora wanted to remind him of the ones they took at the launch of her champagne, but she reconsidered the current strain between them.

She allowed the photographers to capture a few images of her with her father, savouring the unexpected moment. When they were done, she stepped away, nodding to him with a polite smile as the family returned to the main house while the guests moved to the west wing for the reception, their chatter filling the air.

The reception hall was beautifully arranged, with tables draped in soft linens and adorned with fresh flowers. Polished dinnerware caught the light from elegant chandeliers, adding a gentle glow to the room.

A breeze carried in the scent of the sea through open doors, filling the hall as guests took their seats. The band began to play, the atmosphere carefully arranged to mask any strain or tension beneath the celebration’s polished covering.

Olivia quietly returned to her room with her mother to rest and prepare for her reception dress change. Meanwhile, Adam caught Stephanie’s attention, signalling her to step aside.

“I know you said there was something important to discuss,” Stephanie said, a curious edge to her tone as she walked beside him. “But you have a reception to attend, don’t you?”

“This can’t wait,” Adam replied with a quiet urgency, his face resolute. “The guests can carry on for a few minutes.”

They continued in silence down the hallway until they reached his study, where Adam paused, opening the door and gesturing her inside. With a resigned shrug, Stephanie stepped inside, and Adam followed, closing the door softly behind them.