Chapter 65 Reception
Chapter 65 Reception
The closer the limousine got to the reception venue, the more Adeline felt her energy slowly draining again. The church ceremony had already exhausted her mentally, and now she still had an entire reception ahead of her where she would have to smile endlessly, speak to guests, pose for pictures, and pretend to be the happiest bride alive while reporters watched her every move.
Honestly, it sounded terrible.
Julian noticed the exact moment her expression started changing again. Only a few minutes ago inside the limousine, she had finally started relaxing slightly, but now the tension was slowly creeping back into her shoulders again as the venue came into view outside the tinted windows.
The reception hall looked ridiculous.
Huge golden lights decorated the outside building beautifully while luxury cars lined the entrance area one after another. Security guards stood everywhere, carefully controlling the crowd gathering outside. Even from inside the limousine, they could already hear faint music playing somewhere inside the venue.
Adeline stared out the window with a tired expression. “Tell me again why we agreed to this?”
Julian leaned back comfortably in his seat before answering calmly, “Because we’re influential public figures.”
She groaned quietly. “Disgusting.”
That made him laugh softly again. The limousine finally came to a stop outside the entrance, and immediately the sounds outside grew louder. More camera flashes appeared almost instantly as reporters rushed forward again behind security barriers. The driver quickly stepped out first before moving to open the door for them.
Julian turned toward Adeline first before the door opened fully. “Ready?”
“No,” she answered immediately.
He smiled slightly. “Too bad.”
Before she could complain again, the door opened, and instantly, noise exploded around them again. Cameras flashed nonstop while reporters shouted questions over each other hoping for attention. Security quickly moved into position around the limousine while guests standing outside the venue turned eagerly toward the newly married couple.
Julian stepped out first before immediately turning back toward Adeline and offering her his hand. She accepted it carefully before stepping out beside him gracefully despite how exhausted she already felt.
The second she fully stepped outside, another wave of camera flashes nearly blinded her.
“Mrs. Hale!”
“Adeline, look over here!”
“Julian, how does it feel to finally be married?”
“Can we expect children soon?”
Adeline nearly rolled her eyes at that last question.
Beside her, Julian remained annoyingly calm and confident as always. One hand rested lightly against the small of her back while he guided her carefully toward the entrance. Every now and then he smiled toward cameras or nodded politely at reporters like this entire situation was perfectly normal.
Adeline honestly suspected he secretly enjoyed the attention. “You look way too comfortable,” she muttered quietly under her breath while they walked.
Julian smiled without looking at her. “You look like you want to kill someone.”
“Because I do.”
That nearly made him laugh again. Thankfully, once they finally entered the reception hall itself, things became slightly quieter. The reporters remained mostly near the entrance area while guests inside the hall focused more on admiring the decorations and waiting for the couple properly.
The reception venue itself looked elegant without becoming overly dramatic, exactly the way Adeline requested. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling while soft golden lighting filled the hall warmly. The tables were decorated beautifully with white flowers, candles, and elegant centerpieces that somehow managed to look luxurious without becoming tacky.
Adeline slowly glanced around the room while trying not to look overwhelmed.
Three hundred and fifty people, and just thinking about that number already made her tired.
The moment guests noticed them entering together, applause immediately spread across the hall again. Some guests even stood from their tables briefly while smiling warmly toward them. Others immediately pulled out phones hoping to record videos.
Julian leaned closer slightly. “Smile,” he whispered.
Adeline forced one on her face instantly. Honestly, years of dealing with public appearances had at least taught her how to pretend well enough when necessary. Even now, despite how badly she wanted to disappear into a quiet room somewhere, she still managed to look calm and elegant while Julian guided her deeper into the reception hall.
Then the congratulations started.
One guest after another approached them almost immediately. Business associates congratulated them politely. Politicians shook Julian’s hand enthusiastically while complimenting Adeline’s appearance. Older women praised her outfit repeatedly while younger guests whispered excitedly nearby.
Adeline smiled through all of it mechanically.
Eventually, one older businessman laughed warmly while shaking Julian’s hand. “Honestly, none of us thought this wedding would actually happen.”
Julian smiled smoothly. “Clearly you underestimated us.”
The man laughed harder before walking away again.
Adeline leaned closer immediately afterward. “I already hate every single person here.”
Julian looked amused. “You’re doing great though.”
“I deserve financial compensation for this.”
Julian rolled his eyes. “You already own half the city.”
“That’s not enough,” Adeline responded with a light shrug.
He shook his head with another quiet laugh. Soon enough, the master of ceremonies finally called everyone’s attention properly, announcing the arrival of the bride and groom officially. More applause filled the hall while Julian and Adeline were guided toward the center floor for their first dance.
The second Adeline realized what was happening, she froze slightly. “Oh absolutely not,” she muttered under her breath.
Julian immediately looked down at her. “Relax.”
“I don’t dance.”
“You literally do. I know you do,” Julian replied.
Adeline immediately shook her head, dreading the idea more than anything. “Not publicly.”
Julian gently took her hand anyway before guiding her toward the dance floor. “Too late now.”
Adeline internally considered murder. The soft music started playing slowly around them while guests watched eagerly from their tables. Julian placed one hand carefully against her waist while holding her other hand gently.
To everyone watching, they probably looked perfectly romantic. Only Adeline knew she was internally panicking.
“I hope you know I’ll step on your feet intentionally if this becomes embarrassing,” she warned quietly.
Julian smirked slightly. “You’re threatening your husband on our wedding day?”
“Yes.”
“That’s beautiful.”
Despite herself, Adeline almost smiled slightly again.
The dance itself thankfully remained slow and simple. Julian guided her carefully around the dance floor while the guests watched warmly nearby. Every now and then camera flashes still appeared from different directions, but thankfully less aggressively than before.
Adeline kept her focus mostly on Julian instead of the crowd around them since somehow it made things easier. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. They simply moved slowly together across the dance floor while the music played softly around them.
Then suddenly, Adeline noticed movement near one of the tables and immediately stiffened slightly, and Julian noticed too.
It was Nathan.
Her older brother sat near the Carter family table looking deeply unimpressed by the entire wedding. Unlike everyone else smiling politely around him, Nathan looked openly irritated while staring directly at Julian.
Adeline immediately looked away again.
Julian leaned slightly closer. “Ignore him.”
“He looks like he wants to kill us,” she pointed out, feeling slightly pleased that her brother didn't bother to look excited just for show.
Honestly, Nathan didn't bother her in the slightest as long as he did not throw a tantrum. What bothered her more was the fact that Lucas and the twins still had barely spoken to her properly all day. They were present at the reception but distant, polite, and careful, like they were unsure how to behave around her now.
It hurt more than she wanted to admit. Julian seemed to notice her mood shift again because his expression softened slightly afterward.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
Adeline hesitated briefly before nodding once. “I’m fine.”
He clearly did not fully believe her, but thankfully he did not push further either. The song eventually ended, and applause filled the hall again while Julian guided her off the dance floor carefully. Almost immediately more guests approached them again with congratulations and endless conversation, and Adeline just wanted to be done with it all.