Chapter 2 Wedding Canceled

The guests froze in shock.

Everyone in the elite circle knew how much Lainey had loved Larry.

For years, she trailed behind him without complaint, giving up her pride as she managed his business affairs and handled every detail of his personal life.

Many men had envied Larry for that reason, since Lainey's loyalty made her seem like someone willing to give him everything she had.

And now, Lainey was the one calling off the wedding?

Anger clouded Larry's face as he shouted, "Lainey, have you completely lost your senses?"

Rather than respond to him, Lainey stepped toward the microphone prepared for the ceremony and spoke clearly. "This place has been arranged so perfectly, and it would be a shame to let it go unused."

After that, her gaze shifted toward Charlee. "Miss Foster, since you want the man I have already let go of, you might as well take the ceremony as well. I hope you and my ex-a bitch and a bastard-stay together forever."

"You-" For a split second, Charlee's carefully maintained gentle expression faltered, and embarrassment stiffened her features.

With a trembling tone, she spoke as if she had been wronged. "Lainey... how can you be so mean? There's nothing between Larry and me!"

Without hesitation, Larry drew Charlee into his arms, and anger sharpened his voice. "Charlee is dealing with depression, so watch your words."

In her previous life, he had used that excuse countless times, and he forced Lainey to tolerate everything Charlee did.

Because of that constant indulgence, Charlee eventually went as far as demanding Lainey's kidney.

At that moment, the memory of the surgery returned with such force that rage surged through Lainey. She wanted to grab a knife right now and make them feel what she had felt. But no. Letting them die would be too easy. Too merciful. Someday, she would make both of them experience what true suffering felt like.

Without saying anything further, Lainey turned away and walked out of the ceremony.

Larry's voice rang out behind her. "Lainey, if you leave now, there will be no turning back!"

She didn't pause or look behind her.

......

As soon as Lainey stepped out of the venue, she made her way directly to the Orchid Hotel.

From what she remembered of her past life, Bryan had been set up in that place. Someone had slipped an aphrodisiac into his drink, and although he managed to leave the room, he collapsed just outside the hotel. An ambulance had been called later, yet the damage had already been done.

For three days straight, the headline spread everywhere: "Wilson Group Heir Found Unconscious in Public-Drug Involvement Suspected."

Because of that scandal, the Wilson Group's stock price took a serious hit.

This time around, Lainey refused to let Bryan take the fall for something he didn't do.

Guided by the memories she carried, she headed straight for Room 609.

As expected, the door to Room 609 was ajar. A man lay there-narrow eyes, a sharp nose, a chiseled jaw. Devastatingly handsome.

At that moment, however, he appeared dangerously exposed, and an unnatural flush spread across his face.

Lainey crouched down and gave him a tender look. "Mr. Wilson," she purred, "need a hand?"

Slowly, Bryan raised his head, and recognition flashed across his face as his eyes filled with something deeper. "Lainey?"

A faint, teasing smile curved along her lips as she looked at him.

Since he knew who she was, it meant his feelings had already taken root long before this moment.

Desire flickered clearly in his eyes, and it grew stronger with each passing second.

Without giving her time to respond, his hand shot out and seized her wrist, then pulled her forcefully into the room.

The air around him carried the scent of whiskey mixed with pine, and it wrapped around her senses the moment she stepped closer.

In the blink of an eye, he pressed her down beneath him, and the intensity in his gaze turned heavy with need.

Leaning forward, he buried his face near her shoulder as his breathing turned uneven.

"Lainey, you knew exactly what you were doing when you came here."

With a quick motion, Lainey pulled away from his grip, yet instead of retreating, she leaned into him and pushed him back until his body met the wall. Her lips brushed along his collar as her fingers moved to undo his buttons. "If I'm offering myself, do you have the guts to take me?"

Before the last word fully left her mouth, he claimed her lips in a fierce kiss. Urgency filled the way he moved, and he pressed against her as he deepened it without restraint.

At the same time, his hand slid along her waist, and his touch grew bolder as it explored her body.

A quiet sound escaped Lainey before she could hold it back, and a haze slowly filled her gaze.

Heat followed his touch as his lips traveled from her neck and moved lower with unsteady intensity. When his hand reached her thigh, he drew her closer and lifted her onto the bed with ease.

As she sank into the soft mattress, his rough hand roamed across her chest, teasing her until she gasped. Soon after, his leg pressed against hers, and he leaned in close to her ear, letting his lips brush against it as his breathing grew heavier. In the next moment, he pulled her fully into him, and the distance between them disappeared as they came together completely.

Uneven breaths mixed with gentle, broken sounds, and the entire room felt heavy with what had just happened. At the peak of it all, he muttered her name against her ear over and over, as though he feared she might disappear if he stopped.

......

Morning came quietly, and when Lainey finally stirred, her body ached as if every part of her had been pulled apart and carelessly pieced back together.

Slowly, her eyes opened, and she noticed that the man beside her had not yet woken up. Without thinking, she lifted her hand and gently traced the outline of his face.

There was no denying how striking he looked.

Looking back now, she couldn't understand how someone like Larry had ever clouded her judgment.

Once she finished dressing, she paused for a brief second to look at Bryan, and then she walked away without any hesitation.

Not long after she left, the man lying on the bed opened his eyes.

In a quiet, restrained tone, he spoke. "Lainey, you're the one who started this."