Chapter 264

Chapter 264

"Don't worry, we'll definitely be there."

Adeline and Olivia would certainly attend, and Randy knew that if they went, Edward and Aaron would surely follow. He was busy with wedding preparations and didn't stay long.

As soon as Randy left, Aaron asked Olivia, "Why are you so enthusiastic about other people's weddings, but so indifferent to your own?"

"What wedding do I have?"

"You're not planning to marry me?" Aaron frowned slightly at her words.

"When did I ever say I would?"

Olivia was holding a grudge. Even though his supposed first love was ancient history, she still felt a knot in her heart and had no desire to speak to him. The fact that she was still willing to be engaged and hadn't blocked him was purely out of respect for their parents.

Aaron's usually gentle face finally darkened.

Meanwhile, Edward was chatting with Adeline. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching her choose a dress for the wedding, offering earnest and constructive advice as he admired her. As he watched, he suddenly asked, "I think these dresses are all beautiful, but none of them can compare to a wedding dress."

Adeline was standing in front of the mirror, holding a dress against herself to check the fit. Hearing this, she glanced at Edward's reflection in the mirror. "Do you want to get married?"

Edward's heart leaped. Why was she suddenly asking such a question? Could it be... He sat up straight. "I have indeed had that thought."

"Do you need me to introduce you to a bride?"

Edward's face fell.

Adeline hung the dress back in the closet. She had already decided on the champagne-colored one—elegant and formal, without outshining the bride. After choosing her dress, she left.

Aaron, sitting on the sofa, saw Edward come down from the second floor and sit opposite him without a word, his expression clearly off. "Alright, you don't have to say anything. It seems we've both received the same treatment."

Edward's brow furrowed. "I'm not like you."

"How are we different?"

"I have a daughter."

Lily was the unbreakable bond between them. Even if Adeline wouldn't marry him, as long as Lily existed, he had a reason to be near her. Edward wasn't afraid of not getting her; he was afraid of not seeing her.

Aaron's heart sank even further. Having a friend like this was truly painful.

Randy and Waverly's wedding preparations were in full swing. The night before the wedding, Randy held one last bachelor party. He didn't invite many people, just his closest friends. Edward, Adeline, Olivia, and Aaron were all there.

But surprisingly, Alicia was also present. She raised her glass in a toast, "Randy, Waverly, congratulations. After tomorrow, you two will be husband and wife. You must take care of each other and live a good life."

Her words stunned everyone. Were these words that Alicia could actually say? Could she be so sensible?

Randy, though surprised, was more gratified. "Thank you."

Waverly also raised her glass. "Thank you."

The family seemed harmonious, as if the past conflicts had never happened.

Olivia leaned close to Adeline's ear. "Do you think she's being sincere?"

Adeline shook her head and whispered back, "Eighty percent fake." They both knew Alicia too well. Alicia disliked Waverly. She had even caused a huge scene over Waverly's pregnancy, a fact Adeline was well aware of. A sudden change in Alicia's attitude was not a good sign.

Unexpectedly, Alicia seemed like a different person that night. She didn't cause trouble for Adeline, nor did she make sarcastic remarks about Waverly. She was like a well-behaved little sister. Randy was pleased, but the others thought differently, especially Waverly. A growing sense of unease filled her.

Everyone drank, and they decided to stay at the hotel for the night, except for Randy and Waverly, who went home. After all, the next day was their wedding, and it wouldn't be proper to pick up the bride from a hotel. The others also got ready after waking up and rushed to the wedding venue. They had woken up too late, and Adeline even had to change into her dress in the car.

Edward reassured her, "Don't worry, we still have time."

"How is there still time?" Adeline was frantic. She had to put on her dress and then do her makeup. It was someone else's wedding, after all, and it would be disrespectful not to wear makeup.

Edward saw her anxious face in the rearview mirror and discreetly slowed down. By the time they arrived at the hotel, Adeline had finished her makeup and was ready. Edward opened the car door and offered her his hand. Adeline placed her hand in his, and they walked into the venue together.

Most of the guests had arrived. Olivia and Aaron were already there, maintaining a superficial harmony while barely speaking to each other. Randy's and Waverly's parents were also present.

At the appointed time, the wedding officially began.

The priest read from the side, "Mr. Randy Carter, do you take Ms. Waverly Clark, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Randy: "I do."

"Ms. Waverly Clark, do you take..." The priest repeated the same vows, his kind gaze resting on Waverly.

The beautiful bride slowly opened her mouth. "I..."

"I object to this wedding."

A voice suddenly rang out. The crowd turned in astonishment to see Alicia standing at the entrance, dressed in a red gown, her makeup bold and dramatic, like a blazing fire.

Randy's voice was firm. "Alicia, don't mess around."

Randy's father, Nash Carter, also came forward to reason with her. "Today is your brother's wedding. You can't cause trouble here. Either stay and attend the wedding properly, or go home."

Waverly clutched her bouquet tightly. "Alicia, I've always let you be as playful and willful as you like, but today is my and Randy's wedding. Can you please not cause trouble? If I've offended you in any way, I'm willing to apologize after the wedding." Her words were very gracious, making the aggressive Alicia seem even more unreasonable.

Alicia's mother, Flora Coleman, went straight to Alicia and tried to pull her away. Alicia shook her off and shouted, "I have a reason for objecting to this wedding."

"No reason gives you the right to cause trouble here!" Flora began to regret spoiling her daughter, making her so lawless.

"She is not worthy of marrying into the Carter family." Alicia said, her voice ringing with conviction.

Adeline and Olivia exchanged a look. Olivia whispered, "Now we have a show to watch." Adeline frowned slightly, worried for Waverly. But it wasn't their place to speak, so they could only be spectators.

Alicia walked up to Waverly, looking at her pale face. "Because she killed the child in her womb to make Randy marry her."

Randy blurted out, "That's impossible!"

"I know you don't want to believe it, but it's the truth." In front of everyone, Alicia pointed at Waverly. "This woman is greedy and deranged. In the beginning, she knew Randy had someone he loved deeply, yet she dressed herself up to look like that person to win his affection. After they finally got together, she tried every means to get pregnant. Then, to make Randy feel guilty and agree to marry her as soon as possible, she planned an accident and killed that child!"