Chapter 165: Fleeing the Marriage

Chapter 165: Fleeing the Marriage

Arthur had been thinking about how the power struggle at the company was getting worse. He wasn't winning, especially with Dean gaining more ground than him. It had kept him up for several nights.

Seeing Isabella, he suddenly had an idea.

The person behind the acquisition of Starlight Gems had sent word asking him to let them know when Isabella and Oliver's wedding would be held - they wanted to attend.

As experienced businesspeople, they knew the person couldn't just want to celebrate Isabella and Oliver's wedding. But if someone from the Montgomery family was backing Starlight Gems, that would change everything.

"Isabella, it's been almost two months since you and Oliver got engaged, right? Have you two discussed when to hold the wedding?"

Isabella's eyes flickered as she stammered, "We're already discussing it, Dad."

The truth was, after their engagement, they hadn't grown closer, and there was no feeling of being about to enter marriage.

Oliver still had feelings for Astrid.

"Good. Don't worry too much about work - focus on the wedding. That's what matters most," Arthur comforted her kindly.

"I'll handle things at the company."

Isabella nodded gently.

"Oh, and take this card. You're about to become Mrs. Montgomery - don't skimp on beauty treatments and jewelry." Arthur handed her a black bank card.

"Thanks, Dad." Isabella happily accepted it. She had a new plan for dealing with Oliver's coldness.

No matter how much he couldn't let go of Astrid, he would have to marry Isabella.

After all, Astrid had married Silas, and now Oliver had to respectfully call Astrid his aunt.

The Montgomery family wouldn't tolerate Oliver doing anything that would disgrace the family name, and Silas wouldn't allow it either. So Oliver's feelings didn't matter now.

The more Isabella thought about it, the more excited she became. She went back upstairs to her room and called Michelle.

"Mrs. Montgomery, I'd like to invite you to church with me."

"Sure, I'm bored at home anyway. By the way, Isabella, you and Oliver should have the wedding soon. That way you can have a baby next year, and I can help take care of it - it'll give me something to do."

Isabella's eyes flashed with triumph.

She'd already heard that Michelle was eager for a grandchild. She'd planned to bring it up casually at church, but hadn't expected to achieve her goal so easily.

"That's up to Oliver to agree to," Isabella said, pretending to decline.

"I'll handle the Montgomery family matters. You just be a good girl and get ready to be a bride." Michelle could tell Isabella had no objection to getting married soon. She happily hung up and immediately told several important people in the Montgomery family about the arrangement.

Silas said he had no objection.

When Oliver saw the message, he immediately refused, saying that unless he died, he would never marry Isabella.

"Oliver, don't make a scene and embarrass us," Michelle scolded him.

Oliver knew nothing he said would help, so he went to a bar to drink.

Isabella excitedly went to find him. He wasn't at home or at the company, and when she called, his phone was off.

She had no choice but to look for him at places Oliver frequented.

When she found Oliver, he was already drunk.

Isabella dragged him out of the bar to take him home. When Oliver hazily saw it was her, not only did he not cooperate, but he pushed her away hard.

The driver couldn't stand watching anymore and came over to help Isabella.

They finally got Oliver home. He leaned against the door frame, refusing to go into the bedroom, the disgust in his eyes obvious.

"I'm home now. You can leave."

Isabella glanced at the bed in the room, then looked at him reluctantly. "Then rest well. Call me if you need anything."

Oliver laughed coldly.

"Astrid only married Silas to spite me. Even if you and I have a child, I still won't marry you!"

"Don't think I don't know - the family pushing us to have the wedding soon was your idea!"

"Oliver, how can you think of me like that?" Before Isabella finished speaking, Oliver had already turned and closed the door.

The Montgomery family was very wealthy, and the wedding preparations moved forward quickly.

Soon, the wedding day arrived.

Astrid attended the wedding with Silas as Oliver's aunt. The venue was decorated lavishly and extravagantly, with guests coming and going - it was very lively.

Soon, Astrid noticed something was wrong. Michelle and the others, as hosts, weren't outside greeting guests. After asking around, she learned that Oliver had left a note and disappeared while everyone was distracted. They couldn't find him anywhere.

"What did he say?" Silas asked with a cold expression.

Someone handed him the note. The handwriting was messy: "I said it before - I'd rather die than marry Isabella."

Reading this, Astrid turned to see Isabella standing helplessly at the wedding venue, with relatives and guests from both sides watching her.

She looked so small and alone, becoming the laughingstock of Cypress Bay overnight.

Astrid's lips twitched slightly.

Good thing she'd realized early and gotten out in time, or she would have ended up in such an embarrassing situation. With a playboy like Oliver, no one would ever truly be loved by him.

"Astrid!" Isabella saw her in the crowd and called out through gritted teeth.

If it weren't for her, Oliver wouldn't have run away! He'd said many times that the person he liked was Astrid! Even though at the very beginning, he'd said the person he liked was her, Isabella!

Catherine noticed Isabella's strange behavior. Seeing her rush toward Astrid, she quickly stepped out from the side and grabbed her.

"Mom, I'm like this today all because of Astrid. Let me go - I need to settle this with her!"

"Isabella, calm down. Everyone's watching you," Catherine hissed in a low voice.

"Astrid, you bitch! Where did you hide Oliver! Give him back to me!"

Isabella's voice was loud enough that many people heard her, standing nearby and pointing at the two of them.

Silas saw it too.

He walked over expressionless and, without a word, grabbed Isabella's wrist and walked toward Michelle, who was on the phone.

No matter how Catherine tried to stop him, it was useless.

Silas pushed Isabella toward Michelle and said coldly.

"Control your daughter-in-law. Hasn't she embarrassed herself enough!"

Michelle opened her mouth but forgot to argue back. Catherine stood to the side. Everyone was unhappy with Michelle's family's behavior and intimidated by Silas's cold demeanor - no one spoke up.

After speaking, Silas returned to Astrid's side, looking at her with gentle eyes.

"Looks like the wedding won't happen today. Let's go."