The main wedding car pulled up to the chapel entrance. The bodyguard opened the door, only to find Claire and Dennis locked in a passionate kiss. He quickly shut it again.
Claire buried her face in Dennis's chest, embarrassed. Dennis, admiring her flushed lips, teased, "Your lips are perfectly red and sexy."
Claire playfully scolded him, "You're such a tease."
After they got out of the car, Dennis adjusted Claire's veil. She looked at the solemn and sacred chapel, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.
Dennis leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I'm right here."
Claire's heart softened, and her nervousness began to ease.
At the chapel entrance, the wedding symphony began to play. Qiana saw Dennis's joyful expression and smiled with relief.
The guests, who had been waiting for a long time, finally saw the couple make their entrance and stood up, applauding.
Meanwhile, in the garden outside the chapel, a black car carrying Ivy slowly stopped at the entrance. The door opened, and she hurriedly got out.
Her high heels clicked crisply against the ground as her assistant followed closely, carefully holding Ivy's dress and adjusting it.
Ivy anxiously scanned the surroundings, her eyes darting through the crowd as if searching for something.
"Hurry up, hurry up, they can't have finished the ceremony already, right?" Her assistant didn't respond, just quickened his pace.
Ivy took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions. She knew she was about to face a battle for love and her future.
At that moment, Claire and Dennis were standing on the altar, the priest ready to begin the vows. Suddenly, the doors burst open, and Ivy rushed in, shouting, "Wait, I'm the real bride, she's a fake!"
The guests were stunned, whispering among themselves. Qiana and Hayden stood up in shock.
Ivy stumbled into Hayden's arms, shedding her usual arrogance and crying, "Dad, you have to stand up for me!"
Through her sobs, Ivy recounted the events to Hayden.
Hayden's eyes blazed with anger. He clenched his fists, his voice trembling with rage, "How dare someone betray the Price family like this! Ivy, don't worry, I won't let anyone take your place as the bride!"
With that, Hayden stood up and strode towards Qiana.
Qiana's face grew serious.
Ivy began to cry again, throwing herself into Qiana's arms and repeating her story.
"Ivy, don't cry. I will make sure justice is served!" Qiana patted Ivy's shoulder reassuringly.
Melinda also recognized Claire.
Zachary made a decision. He walked to the altar, took the microphone, and announced loudly, "Before the ceremony begins, I want to expose a conspiracy. Today, we will reveal the true face of the Price family."
He operated his phone, and a conversation between Ivy and Cleo played through the speakers.
The conversation revealed Ivy's desperation over Dennis's lingering feelings for Claire and her plea for Cleo's help.
Cleo demanded that Hayden find a way to make Claire disappear completely.
Hayden admitted he was working on a program to implant happy memories of Ivy into Dennis's mind to ensure Ivy's happiness after marriage.
The guests, equipped with translation earpieces, clearly heard the conversation.
Hayden and Cleo stood up in horror, and Ivy's face turned pale.
Dennis was furious, demanding to know why Hayden had done this. Qiana also realized the cause of Dennis's recent strange behavior and was livid.
She condemned Hayden for his betrayal, pointing out the significant research funding provided annually, only to be repaid with such treachery.
Hayden confessed that he had been forced into it by Cleo and Ivy's happiness.
In a fit of rage, Qiana ordered Hayden's family to be expelled from Thalassia, shutting down all their research facilities, and threatened that if anything happened to Dennis, Hayden's family would pay the price.
Hayden's business partner also angrily accused him of using untested drugs on Dennis.
Qiana was trembling with anger, gritting her teeth at Hayden's family's misdeeds.
On the altar, Claire, upon hearing this, clenched her fists in agitation and lifted her veil.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked Dennis anxiously.
Dennis reassured her, "Physically, I'm fine. My memories are a bit fuzzy, but the one thing I remember clearly is how much I love you and want to protect you forever."
They embraced, both in tears.
Qiana called for research expert Jagger, asking if there was any antidote.
Jagger explained, "There's no immediate cure, but the drug only suppresses memory cells without harming the body."
Qiana remained worried, but Dennis stepped down to comfort her, saying he was okay.
Jagger further explained, "The drug affects memory but doesn't harm the body. The long-term effects are still unknown, though."
To make amends, Hayden suggested monitoring Dennis. "If emotional changes occur, we can use neural stimulation to recover some memories."
Ivy collapsed to the ground, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, and began to sob uncontrollably.
Qiana ordered the bodyguards to expel Hayden's family, vowing never to forgive them.
Dennis thanked Zachary, saying, "Claire is my true remedy."
Qiana also expressed her gratitude to Zachary and Raymond's family.
As the auspicious time had passed, Qiana and Dennis decided to reschedule the wedding for the next day. Qiana apologized to the guests and invited them to stay another day to witness the ceremony.
The guests happily agreed.
After stepping down from the altar, Qiana hugged Claire tightly, apologizing emotionally. Claire assured her she had never blamed Qiana.
Qiana promised to organize a grand wedding and to hold another ceremony when Claire returned home.
Melinda was happy for Claire, who gratefully held her hand.
The bodyguards escorted Hayden's family away. Cleo wept in regret in the car, realizing her greed had led to their downfall.
Hayden's career was ruined, and Ivy's dreams of wealth and status were shattered. Ivy fainted multiple times from crying, blaming Claire for ruining her wedding. She even suspected Zachary's actions were orchestrated by Claire, but there was nothing she could do now.
Qiana, exhausted, rubbed her head. Her blood pressure had spiked from the anger and excitement, and she needed medication to stabilize it.
Qiana discussed with Hayden's partner, Jagger, who confirmed that Dennis's emotions were stabilizing. He suggested that Dennis and Claire spend time together planning the wedding and bonding during a vacation to stimulate emotional healing.
Qiana agreed and arranged for Jagger's continued involvement.
Then, Qiana instructed the butler to prepare a dinner party to thank Zachary and Raymond's family.
In the evening, everyone received Qiana's dinner invitation.
Claire was gently rubbing her ankle, her heels having caused red marks from the long wear.
"Claire, your feet hurt. Let me massage them for you," Dennis said, kneeling in front of her with a gentle smile.
Claire quickly shook her head, "I'm fine."
Dennis looked at her tired expression, feeling a pang of sympathy.
When his hand cradled Claire's foot, she felt a soothing coolness spread from his touch.
Dennis's hands were warm and large, completely enveloping her foot.
Claire couldn't help but recall the many nights she had dreamt of this same touch.
After a while, Dennis carried Claire to his room.
Claire felt a deep sense of peace, contentment, and sweetness, all her past worries melting away.
She intended to inform her parents about the wedding the next day, knowing the long journey would be too much for Beck. They decided to marry first and tell her parents after returning home.
Lost in thought, Dennis wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his nose nuzzling her neck and hair, the intimacy overwhelming.
Claire blushed, feeling as if Dennis's memory was returning, his actions reminiscent of their time together back home.
Dennis caressed her cheek, smiling, "You smell amazing."