Chapter 18: Let's Find a Priest

Cattleya’s POV

I'm so sorry, Catt. Your dad failed us this time..." My mom sobbed, her voice filled with despair.

That's all I heard from my mom as she walked away, leaving me alone in the greenhouse, my heart heavy with disappointment.

I sighed softly, "What should I do? Dad's company is failing, and his business partner will want to cut ties with us..."

I put my hand on my temple and massaged it, my mind racing. "I should look for more investors or a new business partner to help my dad's business. Yes, that's right."

I took a deep breath and walked out of the greenhouse, all the maids staring at me as if I'd done something wrong that morning.

I glared at them and said, "What are you looking at?"

One of the maids replied, "Ms. Catt, we did all of this for you. We heard that you rejected Mr. Patrick's proposal. So, what should we do with the preparations for tonight?"

I looked around and realized that all their efforts would be wasted if they had to clean everything up.

Clearing my throat, I asserted, "Well, all of you can have a party tonight. No work, just a party, including the gardeners and the drivers. Tell them it was me who made the announcement."

I walked out of the Villa and stepped inside the car then told the driver, “Take me to my condo. It’s really exhausting here.”

“Yes, Ms. Catt.”

BANQUET PARTY, 10 PM

The event started earlier this evening at 8 PM, with everyone enjoying their meal and celebrating Elise and Jaxon's engagement.

I wasn't sure what Jaxon had planned, but I knew he had put me in a position to be a surprise guest for everyone.

As I arrived at the party, everyone held a glass of wine and stared at me at the entrance.

They looked at me as if I were an outsider, someone who didn't belong at their party.

And, to be honest, I stared back at them with the same stranger's gaze.

Elise's face was carved with worry. She looked as if she couldn't believe that Jaxon had invited me to their party.

"Jaxon, why is she here?" she asked.

"I invited here."

"What?"

Jaxon walked through the crowd, looking dashing in his black and white suit.

He still towered over me, even though I was wearing three-inch heels.

I looked up and met his gaze, "Jaxon..." I whispered.

He smiled and said, "You made it."

Elise walked towards us, her gaze fixed on my gown.

She had the face of an insecure woman.

She looked at me from head to toe until her eyes fell on the engagement ring on my finger.

She gulped, realizing that she didn't have any engagement ring from Jaxon.

Elise exclaimed, "Jaxon! What do you think you're doing?!"

Elise's father tried to stop her from causing a scene.

Jaxon ignored her and said, "I have an announcement to make. This woman right here, beside me, I'm going to marry her. Meet my fiancée, Cattleya Sullivan."

After Jaxon made the unexpected news, everyone gasped and started to speak.

Their whispers were heard everywhere, and they mustered up the courage to clap their hands.

Elise's tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

She had to be thankful that I saved her from marrying this evil man.

But I felt a pang of pang in my chest. Well, she's going to be fine, I guess.

She then fled while sobbing, with her assistants and guards following.

"You hurt her," I whispered.

Jaxon senses my discomfort. "I know it looks bad," he said, his voice filled with guilt. "But I swear, I never meant to hurt her. She's a good girl. She just got caught up in her own fantasy."

A man in his forties approached us. He smiled as he said, "Congratulations. I didn't know my nephew had chosen the most beautiful woman in the world. By the way, I'm Jaxon's uncle. Call me Uncle Fred." He kissed both of my cheeks.

I smiled at him. "Hi, nice to meet you."

He then glanced at Jaxon. "We'll talk about this later, son. I'll let you enjoy the rest of the night for now."

"Alright, then," Jaxon replied coldly.

The encounter with Jaxon's Uncle left me feeling a bit unsettled.

His casual greeting and congratulatory tone seemed at odds with the tension between Jaxon and Elise.

As we walked away, I couldn't help but wonder what Jaxon's uncle knew about the situation.

"Don't worry about him," Jaxon said, his voice low. "He's just a little overbearing."

"Well, this is all your plan. And now that you have made an announcement already, my life depends on you. You have to protect me." I said.

He pulled me close to him, "Yeah, I wanted this because I wanted you for so long..."

We walked together along the moonlit pathway, the only light coming from the solitary lamppost.

He paused and asked, "Why do you really want to marry me?"

I turned around, facing him, and looked up into his intense gaze. "Simple as that. You want my body, and I want your protection."

He seemed uncomfortable with our topic but didn't let it stop him from asking, "Are you still thinking that the man who killed your sister was in my organization or even in my own territory?"

I smiled at him, my eyes glowing in the darkness. "Yes."

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me.

Then he held my hand, and I could feel the warmth of his palm.

He whispered, "You're something, Cattleya. It's just that... I can't let you go so easily. So, if you want to marry me, then let's get married. After all, I'm a man. I can have something in return every night." He winked at me.

Jaxon's words were a shock to me.

I had expected him to be angry or dismissive of my accusations, but instead, he seemed almost intrigued.

His suggestion to marry me was both unexpected and unsettling.

"Oh, alright. That's the deal." I said.

Then his face lit up as he said, "Let's go find a priest for tonight."

My eyes widened, "A priest? Right now? Right at this moment?"