Chapter 2 Return To Your Own Pursuits

Kaylee lifted her veil with a careless gesture, revealing the hideous scar that marred her face. Gasps of shock escaped from the onlookers, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"I never anticipated her to be so repulsive!" murmured one of the guests.

"No wonder Mr. Stephens wants to run away from the wedding. If he sleeps on the same bed as her, he must have a nightmare every night!"

"I would rather marry a good-looking beggar than a monstrous rich lady like her!"

Kaylee appeared unperturbed, her countenance serene as if shielded from the harsh words. With graceful poise, she followed the waiter, who led her to the door of a hotel room.

The spectators anticipated a scene of fury, expecting her to pound on the door in hysterics, but their hopes for drama were in vain.

Kaylee merely stood before the door for a moment, surveying her surroundings with an air of detachment. Her eyes caught sight of a cleaning cart nearby, and she strolled over, retrieving a fresh bed sheet from its contents.

Then, in a casual tone, she inquired, "Excuse me, do you happen to have a lighter?"

Perplexed, the waiter retrieved his lighter and offered it to her. "Yes, here you go."

Kaylee accepted the lighter with a smile. The previously impassive expression on her face vanished, replaced by a radiance in her eyes.

In that instant, it was as though a stagnant pool had suddenly burst to life-she exuded an inexplicable allure.

Pressing the lighter's trigger, Kaylee ignited the pristine white bed sheet. As the waiter let out a muffled cry of alarm, she flung the flaming sheet towards the hotel room's door.

Thick smoke billowed forth, triggering the smoke alarm, which in turn set off the piercing wail of the fire alarm.

Simultaneously, the room's sprinkler system activated, dousing everything within. A scream and a hoarse curse emerged from behind the now-opened door.

Elijah stood before them, his damp hair clinging to his forehead, revealing the urgency with which he had emerged from the room.

Seeing the man still dressed in impeccable attire, Kaylee couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise. Two questions lingered in her mind. Had he not commenced yet? Or had he already finished it?

If he had indeed finished... that was really quick. Perhaps he just couldn't last long?

Detecting a trace of sympathy in her eyes, Elijah furrowed his brows.

Nonchalantly sweeping aside the damp strands of hair clinging to his forehead, he inquired unhappily, "Was it you who set the fire?"

Unfazed by his anger-laden countenance, Kaylee met his gaze with unwavering honesty and confessed, "Yes. Now that you're dressed impeccably, kindly proceed to the banquet hall on the third floor and complete the wedding ceremony first."

She spoke with a tone as mundane as discussing the day's weather.

Elijah's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He hadn't anticipated such a reaction from his soon-to-be wife upon discovering his dalliance with another woman in the hotel.

"What if I say no?" A smile danced at the corners of Elijah's mouth as he gazed at the disfigured woman before him, his eyes emanating an irresistible charm.

It must be acknowledged that he was undeniably handsome.

With his angular face, striking nose, and brooding eyes, his wet, dark hair nonchalantly swept back exuded a roguish and untamed allure. Armed with such looks, he could captivate any woman he desired.

Kaylee firmly grasped Elijah's arm and propelled him forward, stating, "We must proceed with our wedding today, whether you like it or not."

She then turned to the waiter, wearing a radiant smile, and added, "Oh, by the way, my husband will take care of the bed sheet expenses."

Her smile, vibrant and flamboyant, caused the hideous scar on her face to contort, making her appear even more unsightly than usual. The scene was both comical and embarrassing.

Needless to say, the one experiencing embarrassment was Elijah.

Kaylee was not the forgiving type. If someone wronged her, she wouldn't rest until she found a way to make them suffer. Elijah had stood her up, and now it was her turn to embarrass him.

But as Kaylee spoke, her voice carried a pleasant melody that resonated deep within Elijah's heart. It stirred something within him, an inexplicable restlessness.

However, no matter how enchanting her voice was, Elijah couldn't muster any desire for her when he gazed upon her face.

Almost unconsciously, Elijah wanted to free his hand from her grasp. However, before he could act upon that impulse, his eyes caught a glimpse of a small, dark red birthmark adorning her back.

It bore an eerie resemblance to the rose-shaped birthmark on someone else's back.

In that instant, Elijah's body tensed, and he squinted his eyes, yearning for a closer look. But Kaylee swiftly adjusted her veil, concealing her back from his prying eyes.

Undeterred by Elijah's sudden change in demeanor, Kaylee maintained her hold on his hand and led him forward, while he followed.

They arrived at the grand banquet hall, where Kaylee finally released his hand and said, "Thank you for your cooperation."

It was then that Elijah regained his senses. His typically carefree countenance had vanished, replaced by a rare seriousness.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Elijah began to speak. "You..."

But before he could finish his sentence, Kaylee interrupted him. "Let us conclude the proceedings swiftly," she said, her voice cutting through the air. "Once that's done, you can return to your own pursuits."