Cassidy thought for a second. "Owen, our families decided on this marriage ages ago. You gotta think this through logically."
He was already 18 and had to start shouldering some responsibilities.
Owen got what Cassidy was saying and nodded, looking a bit down.
Things got awkward again, and since Cassidy didn't feel like starting a new conversation, they both stayed quiet for the rest of the ride.
When they got to the wedding venue, Cassidy saw Rachel Moore, the Moore family's matriarch, coming out to greet them personally. Next to Rachel was the star of today's wedding.
"Mrs. Cooper, it's been a while!" Rachel beamed and hugged Cassidy.
"Long time no see, Mrs. Moore." Cassidy smiled back and exchanged cheek kisses with her.
Rachel's son and his bride had never met Cassidy before and were surprised to hear their mom call her that. But they kept it polite and greeted Cassidy, "Mrs. Cooper, your skin looks amazing!"
Cassidy smiled. "Thanks! I just went to this fantastic spa. You should check it out sometime."
Just then, the Moore family's youngest daughter, Scarlett Moore, showed up and heard her mom call Cassidy Mrs. Cooper.
She looked at Cassidy in shock, gave her the once-over, and sneered, "Marrying a guy old enough to be your dad? Bet you're just his side piece!"
Everyone's faces changed at Scarlett's words. Her brother shot her a warning glare.
Rachel scolded Scarlett, "Scarlett! What nonsense are you spouting? Apologize to Mrs. Cooper right now!"
Owen was also ticked off. He already didn't like Scarlett, and now she was dissing Cassidy. "Scarlett, how can you be so rude? Where are your manners? Cassidy is my father's wife and the head of the Cooper family now. Show some respect!"
Scarlett didn't expect her family to call her out in front of everyone, or for Owen to stand up to her like that. She snapped back, "Did I say anything wrong?"
"Scarlett!" Rachel was furious. "Is this how I raised you?"
Owen couldn't hold back his anger anymore, "Scarlett! You're way out of line!"
"No, you are!" Scarlett shouted.
Everyone was staring at Scarlett, all judging her.
"I'm not apologizing!" She stomped her foot and stormed off.
Rachel watched her go, feeling both angry and helpless, and turned to Cassidy to apologize herself. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Cooper. I should have raised Scarlett better. I'll make sure she learns her lesson."
Even though Cassidy was fuming inside from the insult, she couldn't let it show as Scarlett did. "It's alright, Mrs. Moore. Scarlett probably misunderstood me, that's why she said those things. I won't hold it against her."
Rachel quickly thanked Cassidy and led them inside.
Easton stood nearby, watching the whole scene unfold,
ever since Cassidy chose Owen, he had been on edge.
Seeing Cassidy hold back her anger and accept Rachel's apology, he couldn't help but think about what he would have done if he were by her side.
Owen was too immature to protect Cassidy. If it were him, he would've shut Scarlett down and made her apologize.
No matter how young Cassidy was, she was now the head of the Cooper family, and no spoiled rich girl had the right to insult her. He could've stepped in to defend Cassidy, but seeing her get into Owen's car had killed any desire to protect her.
Once inside, Easton downed a glass of wine, looking pissed. His buddy, Chase Bennett, walked in and immediately noticed Easton drinking alone.
Easton was a magnet for attention, and plenty of single women at the event wanted to approach him, but his icy stare sent them running. As Chase approached, he saw Easton scare off another lady.
"Easton," Chase grinned, giving Easton a friendly pat on the shoulder. "With that look on your face, no one's gonna come near you!"
Easton stayed silent, and Chase's curiosity piqued.
"What's up? Why the long face? Did some girl turn you down?" Chase chuckled at his own joke.
With Easton's looks, it was hard to imagine any woman rejecting him. However, to Chase's surprise, Easton, who had been stone-faced, let out a cold laugh.
Chase was stunned. "You got rejected? No way! Who did it? I can't believe there's someone out there who'd turn you down!"
In all the time they'd known each other, it was always Easton doing the rejecting, never the other way around!
Easton didn't want to talk about it. "Get lost!"
"Alright, alright, I'll leave you be." Chase laughed, backing off.
He was dying to know who had the guts to reject Easton, but he knew Easton wouldn't spill the beans now, so instead of sticking around and annoying him, Chase decided to mingle.
"I'll get out of your hair then." He patted Easton on the shoulder and wandered off, eventually running into Hailey, who was being stopped at the door.