Chapter 75 Forced to Be a Bridesmaid

Chapter 75 Forced to Be a Bridesmaid

"What?"

Victoria and Adrian's eyes widened in shock, and even Nathaniel's expression shifted slightly. 

The news hit them out of the blue, catching them completely off guard.

Victoria had always assumed Xavier and Emma had a dominant-submissive dynamic, never imagining they were actually in love.

Adrian's reaction was the most intense. He stared at Emma, furrowing his brow, "Emma, seriously? This isn't a joke, right?"

"Absolutely sure!" Emma said firmly, holding Xavier's hand with a smile. "Our relationship is solid, and marriage is the next step."

Xavier put his arm around her, "Mr. Cross, Adrian, don't worry. I'll treat Emma like a queen after we tie the knot."

Victoria looked down, cutting her steak with a blank expression, silently scoffing to herself.

A sadist and a masochist, a match made in heaven indeed.

Emma turned to the quiet Nathaniel, "Uncle Nathaniel, what do you think?"

To everyone's surprise, Nathaniel didn't say a word. He expressionlessly retrieved something from his waist.

With a loud "thud," he slammed a cold, metallic gun onto the dining table.

The atmosphere at the table instantly chilled, the tension palpable.

Nathaniel didn't even glance at Xavier, just pushed the gun towards Emma, his voice cold, "Take it. If he ever mistreats you, shoot him."

He added, "And if it comes to that, I'll handle the consequences."

Emma, still in shock, finally snapped out of it after a moment, her face lighting up, "Uncle Nathaniel, does that mean you approve?"

Nathaniel remained impassive.

Emma joyfully jumped up, ran to Nathaniel, hugged him, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Uncle Nathaniel!"

Anyone could object to the marriage, except Nathaniel. Without his approval, the wedding couldn't happen.

Adrian was clearly uneasy, but with Nathaniel's approval, he knew he couldn't push back further.

Emma grabbed the gun, teasingly showing it off to Xavier, a triumphant glint in her eyes, "Xavier, did you catch that? You better treat me like royalty from now on, or else..."

"Absolutely, my princess."

Xavier grinned, intertwining their hands with the gun, leaning in to plant a tender kiss on her hand, exuding a protective aura. "I'll protect you with everything I have, my love."

Victoria felt queasy witnessing the display. 

She also felt a twinge of annoyance; if Emma and Xavier tied the knot, her interactions with Xavier would likely increase.

But dwelling on it now was futile; she could only take things as they came.

Just as Victoria was lost in thought, Emma suddenly dashed over, seizing Victoria's hand.

"Victoria, will you stand by me as my bridesmaid at the wedding?"

Without missing a beat, Victoria tried to retract her hand, "What's my role here? I don't think being a bridesmaid suits me. Maybe it's best to forget about it."

"Victoria, what are you talking about? You're Uncle Nathaniel's companion, why not be my bridesmaid?" Emma persisted, holding her arm and giving it a gentle shake, turning on the charm. 

"My best friend is overseas and won't make it back in time, I'm short one bridesmaid. Please, Victoria!"

Emma's pleading tone tugged at Victoria's emotions.

She glanced at Nathaniel, who remained silent, then turned to Adrian, silently seeking his support.

Adrian knew best about her situation with Xavier and understood that she definitely didn't want too much contact with Xavier.

Quickly, Adrian interjected, "Emma, Victoria is swamped with work right now, she might not have the time."

"Even so, can't she spare a moment to be a bridesmaid?" Emma pouted, "How about this, Victoria, don't stress about a thing, just come to the wedding as a bridesmaid."

At this point, if Victoria kept refusing, it would come off as ungrateful.

Finally, she took a deep breath and reluctantly gave in, "Fine."

For some reason, she sensed that Emma's intentions behind the wedding were murky.

After a satisfying meal, Adrian and the rest bid their farewells and departed from the villa.

Victoria automatically slipped into the hostess role, seeing the guests out to the door. 

She then turned to Nathaniel, about to ask if he was heading upstairs to turn in...

Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly hoisted off the ground by a strong force and placed firmly on Nathaniel's shoulder.

"Mr. Cross! Are you out of your mind?"

The unexpected weightlessness made her gasp in surprise; Nathaniel's shoulder felt as hard as steel, causing her discomfort.

Instinctively, she struggled, thumping his broad back with her hands.

"Your wound! You'll reopen it!"

Ignoring her warning, Nathaniel carried her with determined steps toward the door leading to the underground garage.

His overpowering masculine scent surrounded her, leaving her with no means of escape.

"When did you get so chummy with Emma?" His voice came from below, muffled and menacing through the muscles and bones.

Victoria froze, halting her struggles instantly.

"Not chummy," she replied calmly, "We don't really hang out much."

"Not chummy?" Nathaniel scoffed, his stride unwavering, "Not chummy, yet Emma wants you as her bridesmaid?"

In the dim stairwell, only their footsteps echoed.

Victoria's heart raced, unsure if Nathaniel was onto something and testing her.

Her mind raced, her tone turning soft and conciliatory, "Maybe... it's because Mr. Cross values me, so Miss Cross holds me in high regard too."

This statement not only praised Nathaniel but also offered a logical reason for Emma's closeness, attributing it all to his influence.

Indeed, Nathaniel's steps halted briefly, followed by a faint, almost imperceptible chuckle.

He appeared satisfied.

"Victoria, know your place." Nathaniel's voice turned cold and stern again, "Even though you were sent by Xavier. But now, you're mine."

His large hand lightly tapped her waist, showing his possessiveness.

"Stay clear of him. Don't let me find out you're in contact with him."

"I got it." Victoria quickly reassured, "Unless necessary, I won't have any private dealings with him."

She felt a cold sweat break out on her back.

Thankfully, Adrian hadn't deceived her; Nathaniel hadn't placed any spies at Emma and Adrian's place. Otherwise, her situation with Xavier would have been beyond repair.

With a click, the door to the underground garage swung open.

Nathaniel set her down, and as soon as Victoria's feet touched the ground, her eyes were immediately drawn to a car in the center.

It was a heavily customized Mercedes G-Class, the whole body coated in matte black paint, resembling a crouching steel beast.

The widened fenders, lifted chassis, and roof-mounted searchlights all highlighted its rugged and commanding performance.

Victoria was captivated.

Her own modest commuter car seemed like a tiny toy compared to this beast.

"Do you like it?" Nathaniel inquired.

"I love it." She nodded sincerely.

A key was tossed to her, creating a silver arc in the air.

Victoria instinctively caught it.

"Get in. Take it for a spin." Nathaniel gestured towards the driver's seat, his tone more commanding than negotiable.

No woman could turn down such a lavish gift.