Chapter 488: Can't Wake Up

Chapter 488 Can't Wake Up

Alice was truly exhausted and fell asleep within minutes.

Michael, however, couldn't sleep at all. Even though the wedding was just hours away and everything was prepared, he still felt anxious.

He carefully got out of bed, then quietly closed the door behind him.

Stefan and Ava were waiting in the living room, neither daring to speak much.

"Stefan, go confirm our headcount for tomorrow again. We absolutely must ensure the venue's security."

"Yes, I'll reconfirm immediately." Stefan hurried to the nearby guest room to review the bodyguard roster and security arrangements.

Ava looked at Michael with some concern. "Mr. Johnson, actually Alice—no, Mrs. Johnson—is in good spirits. You don't need to worry."

"You think she's in a normal state right now?" Michael turned to look at her. "Ava, you've worked with Alice for a few years now, haven't you?"

"Yes, though when I arrived, Mrs. Johnson was already the chief secretary." Ava nodded earnestly.

Alice had always been her role model, even her mentor in many ways. Alice seemed cold on the surface, but she truly treated her subordinates well. Working under Alice these past years had been much easier, and they'd all learned so much.

It was just that this year had brought too many upheavals. As someone in the know, Ava sometimes felt it all seemed unreal.

"You say she's in good spirits? What do you think her attitude toward the wedding is?"

Hearing Michael ask this, Ava thought carefully. "Excited, of course. I even saw her looking at jewelry pairings and discussing makeup with the stylist. What girl doesn't love looking beautiful?"

"Besides, after all these years, Mrs. Johnson's feelings for you are genuine. She's waited so long—she must be looking forward to the wedding. I see her turning her engagement ring on her finger every day. She definitely loves it."

Hearing Ava say this, Michael asked again, "You think she's doing this willingly?"

"Of course!" Ava nodded vigorously. "Mrs. Johnson's devotion to you—you know it best. How could she not be willing?"

Ava had witnessed their love story firsthand, counting all the things Alice had done for Michael over the years.

"If it were anyone else, who would be so thoughtful? Plus, you've always helped take care of her mother. She's a smart woman—if she chose to stay, then she's made her decision."

Michael nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. Hopefully, that was the case.

At four in the morning, Alice was awakened by her alarm. Weddings had auspicious timing, and bridal styling was complex, requiring several hours to complete.

When Alice arrived at the dressing room, she discovered Michael was still there. "Why haven't you left yet?"

"I'm leaving now. Just wanted to see you one more time." Michael went over to wrap his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead.

Alice pushed him away somewhat awkwardly. "Everyone's watching."

Seeing her embarrassment, Michael chuckled softly before finally letting the makeup artist begin.

Michael watched for another half hour, confirming everything was fine before hurrying away.

As the makeup artist worked, she kept exclaiming, "Mrs. Johnson, you're even more beautiful than a movie star. No matter how big that diamond necklace is, it can't outshine your face."

Alice looked at the woman in the mirror and felt only heartache. They say brides are the most beautiful, that this is the most beautiful moment in a woman's life.

The makeup artist was top-tier, and with the high-end wedding dress and jewelry, she looked every inch the aristocratic lady.

Alice whispered softly, "What a shame."

"A shame about what?" The makeup artist looked down at her.

Alice shook her head. "A shame I can't eat anything dressed like this."

The makeup artist laughed. "True, brides often go the whole day without eating to look good. But Mr. Johnson prepared chocolate for you—I heard he made it himself."

Ava walked over with a box of chocolates. "Alice, would you like some?"

"Sure." Alice took one and put it in her mouth.

It wasn't very sweet—the bitter taste spread through her mouth, lingering at the back of her tongue.

Alice's eyes grew increasingly clear. They say marriage is love's graveyard. Wasn't the bride just dressed up to welcome future suffering?

Hopefully, her suffering would end today.

After more than two hours, Alice's styling was finally complete.

Stefan entered at that moment. "Mrs. Johnson, it's almost time. We need to head to the wedding venue."

Alice nodded, then lifted her heavy skirt to stand. "Let's go then."

Mira was also dressed and ready, approaching nervously. "Alice, this dress is so heavy!"

She found lifting the wedding dress somewhat difficult.

Alice grasped her hand. "It's fine. Sit in the passenger seat in a moment and buckle your seatbelt."

"Huh?" Mira looked confused.

Alice smiled lightly. "Traffic police are cracking down on unbuckled passengers these days. Don't want to get pulled over."

Mira nodded without understanding, then waited for the wedding car convoy to arrive.

Michael had only asked close uncles and aunts to participate in the car convoy. Vaughn and his mother were nowhere to be seen.

Alice didn't mind. If her enemies appeared at her wedding, that would be the real irony.

Before getting in the car, Alice saw David waving at her. He was leading the convoy today, driving ahead of the wedding cars.

Alice glanced at the fleet of luxury cars worth tens of millions each. With cars like these on the road, they wouldn't need an escort—other drivers would automatically make way.

Alice just looked at him once, then got into the wedding car expressionlessly.

In the wedding hall, Michael kept checking his watch.

Eric walked over with a smile. "Mr. Johnson, aren't you being a bit too nervous? How many times have you checked the time?"

Michael glanced at him, not intending to engage.

"You stayed with Ms. Baker yesterday and only left this morning. After just a few hours apart, you're already worried?"

Hearing Eric say this, Michael sneered. "Mr. Allen seems quite informed about my whereabouts."

"I just happened to find out." Eric waved his hand. "But speaking of which, isn't it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding?"

"What are you saying?" Harlan approached, clinking glasses with him. "On such a joyous day, you're talking nonsense. You'll need to drink a few extra toasts as an apology to Mr. Johnson."

"For his and Alice's wedding, of course, I'll drink extra!" Eric drained his wine glass in one gulp.

Elijah walked over then. "Seeing Mr. Johnson getting married puts the Savage family at ease. I heard Ms. Baker is pregnant—congratulations."

"Thank you." Michael nodded with a smile.

"Now that she'll be your wife and carrying a Johnson family heir, there's really nothing left to worry about." Uriah's smile seemed to hold deeper meaning.

Harlan cleared his throat. "Indeed, nothing to worry about now. Ivy won't wake up either. Mr. Johnson, she won't wake up, will she?"