After a moment of contemplation, Dennis's mind inexplicably conjured up Ivy's face, and he declared Ivy to be a good choice.
Qiana was stunned. Dennis had been head over heels for Claire, and now he was choosing Ivy? She was puzzled but also secretly pleased.
Dennis decisively stated, "My wife should be someone who can handle the family's responsibilities and help me manage our affairs." Seeing this, Qiana assumed that Dennis and Claire had broken up and said no more, rising to leave.
Dennis gazed out the window into the inky night, feeling an inexplicable sense of agitation.
He pulled out his phone and opened the photo album. His recent memories were hazy, like he had just woken from a chaotic dream, and he couldn't recognize the girl in the photos.
As he scrolled through the pictures, each taken from different angles, they all showcased the girl's lively and innocent nature.
She was either laughing, pouting, or making funny faces, full of life.
Dennis was filled with confusion. Who was this girl? Why were her photos on his phone? Who took them? He couldn't remember at all.
He considered deleting the photos but decided against it at the last moment, feeling that they held some special significance, so he kept them.
After going downstairs, Qiana strictly ordered those around Dennis not to mention Claire's name, fearing that Dennis might change his mind about marrying Ivy and disrupt the family's plans.
Due to the hypnotic effect of the potion Dennis had taken earlier, he fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed and didn't wake up until noon the next day, regretting that he had almost missed the succession ceremony.
Meanwhile, Ivy's family arrived at the estate, full of joy.
Hayden anxiously inquired and learned that Dennis had decided to marry Ivy and would announce their engagement today, with the wedding to follow in a few days.
Ivy was ecstatic. She had never imagined she could become Dennis's wife, especially with Dennis personally promising it.
Everyone began offering their congratulations in advance. To them, Ivy marrying into the Gonzalez family was expected, given Hayden's significant contributions to the family's biotech company. The marriage would solidify their prosperity.
In the afternoon, under the bright sunshine, the solemn succession ceremony took place.
Dennis, dressed in luxurious attire adorned with intricate embroidery and gemstones, walked steadily and confidently onto the stage, successfully assuming the position of family head. From then on, the family's affairs were in his hands.
Qiana stepped down, handing over the management to him, and prepared to enjoy her retirement.
During the ceremony, Qiana announced Ivy as Dennis's fiancée, with the wedding to be held soon.
The butler, when asked about the guest list, made sure not to forget Dennis's friends Raymond and Zachary.
Thus, Dennis's marriage seemed set, though his memory lapses hinted at potential complications.
In Shadow City, at 4 PM.
Raymond had just left his office, ready to head to the lab to pick up his wife, Melinda.
As he stepped out, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar international number.
With a hint of curiosity, Raymond answered. The caller politely introduced themselves and delivered unexpected news: Dennis was getting married, and the wedding was set for next Saturday at the Gonzalez family estate in Thalassia.
Shocked, Raymond promised to attend and asked for the bride's name, learning it was Ivy, the daughter of a renowned biologist.
Ending the call, he walked into the elevator with a stern expression, filled with doubts about Dennis's decision, as he had always thought Dennis would marry Claire.
In the lab, Melinda had just finished a meeting and was focused on the mountain of paperwork on her desk.
Suddenly, the office door opened gently, and Raymond walked in.
Melinda looked up, her face lighting up with a smile. "Hey, what are you doing here so early?"
Raymond took off his suit jacket, placed it on the sofa, and walked behind her, gently massaging her shoulders. "Just wanted to see you," he said. Melinda enjoyed the tender care.
As he continued, Raymond told Melinda about the call from the Gonzalez family inviting them to the wedding. When she heard the bride wasn't Claire, Melinda's smile froze, filled with disbelief.
"Are you serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "What about Claire?"
Raymond sighed. "I think Dennis might be doing this for the family's sake, but it still feels wrong. It's kinda cruel."
Melinda nodded, her mind racing. "I need to tell Claire. She deserves to know." She decided to visit Claire's apartment herself, while Raymond would pick up their son. Raymond nodded in agreement.
Melinda brought her assistant, Kathy, who contacted Claire and arranged to meet at a café.
Claire agreed happily, surprised to see Melinda in the car.
"Hey, Melinda! What's up?" Claire greeted, her eyes sparkling.
Melinda, however, felt conflicted, knowing Claire was still in the dark. "Hey, Claire. How have you been?"
"Good, just waiting for Dennis to come back. He went to handle some family stuff but promised he'd be back soon," Claire said, her eyes full of longing.
Hearing this, Melinda was more certain that Claire knew nothing about the upcoming events, making her even angrier at Dennis's irresponsibility.
At the café, Melinda had Kathy stay in the car while she and Claire went inside. After ordering, she thoughtfully ordered coffee for Kathy and the driver, having it sent outside.
Claire thought the meeting was about her resignation. "So, is this about my job?"
Melinda shook her head. "No, it's not that." During their chat, she learned that Dennis had met Claire's parents and promised to marry her.
Sighing, Melinda solemnly told Claire, "Raymond got a call from the Gonzalez family. Dennis is getting married next Saturday in Thalassia."
Claire's coffee cup slipped from her hand, spilling and burning her, but she didn't feel the pain. Her eyes filled with shock and tears. "What? Are you sure?"
Melinda, helpless, nodded. "The bride is Ivy."
Hearing "Ivy," Claire felt as if struck by lightning, tears streaming down her face.
She covered her face, trying not to cry out loud, but her body trembled uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the pain.
Melinda, unable to bear it, gently handed her tissues. "It's okay to cry," she said softly.
Claire's mind was flooded with memories of her time with Dennis, the tender moments, the loving gazes, all making her believe Dennis loved her.
But now, after just a few days apart, he was marrying someone else, plunging her into deep confusion and pain.
She couldn't understand why Dennis, if he had decided to leave her, had given her promises and hope.
In her extreme sorrow, Claire suddenly grabbed Melinda's arm. "I need to go to the wedding. I need to see him one last time."
After a moment of hesitation, Melinda said, "Think it over for a night. If you still want to go, I'll take you as my assistant."
After driving Claire back to her apartment, Melinda returned to the villa.
Raymond was with their son, Sam. Seeing Melinda return, he noticed something was off.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
After hearing what had happened, Raymond was also puzzled by Dennis's actions.
He went to the balcony, pondering the oddities of the situation.
Just then, Zachary called. "Hey, man. Something's off about Dennis's wedding. Only the butler notified us. That's not like him."
Raymond agreed. "Yeah, it's weird. Keep me updated on what you find."
Meanwhile, Claire sat alone in her apartment, staring at a letter Dennis had left.
She looked at his familiar handwriting, her emotions in turmoil.