Chapter 330

Inside was a white powder wrapped in transparent film.

There was also a note.

[This is a hallucinogen. Find a chance to give it to Ethan.]

Signed by Leopold.

I placed the white powder in my palm and observed it carefully, then sniffed it.

No medicinal smell.

Nothing unusual either.

Why would Leopold have Brielle give me this?

Though puzzled, I still put the drug away.

The next day, before dawn, I got up to start my makeup.

I'd thought this was only a domestic custom, but apparently Gravenford Kingdom had it too.

I sat yawning in front of the vanity, listening to the makeup artist discuss my look with me.

Once confirmed, she began applying my makeup.

She truly deserved to be part of the royal team. In just a few minutes, my dull complexion from staying up late became radiant.

After my hair was styled, the makeup artist asked if I needed any adjustments.

"No, I love it."

The makeup artist left, leaving two maids to keep me company.

"Where's Ethan?" Not seeing him come in, I asked curiously.

"Mr. Guise is handling business at the company. After he finishes, he'll meet you directly at the cathedral." The maid answered truthfully.

My heart stirred. If he wasn't here, now was my chance.

Using the excuse of getting some air, I dismissed them both and circled around from another side to Ethan's study.

Perhaps because the entire castle was filled with his people, Ethan hadn't installed surveillance here.

Otherwise I wouldn't dare come.

I carefully pushed open the study door. After confirming no one was inside, I slipped in.

After closing the door, I walked straight to a painting and gently pushed the lower right corner.

The entire painting immediately tilted.

Revealing a hidden compartment built into the wall.

I'd discovered this by chance when passing the study and seeing Ethan operate it.

After retrieving a USB drive from the compartment, I quickly restored everything to its original state, then hurried to Ethan's computer and inserted the drive.

The next second, a login screen popped up.

And it was the kind that auto-saved username and password.

I didn't hesitate. I clicked login directly.

It was an account transaction interface.

Starting from three in the morning, this account received a transfer every two hours.

Ranging from one million to ten million.

The current total account balance had already exceeded ten billion dollars.

I clicked on the details. The transferring account was a fund investment company in Silverlight City called Prosperity Group.

Prosperity Group?

It seemed related to David.

After memorizing all the information, I closed the computer and restored everything to its original state.

By the time the wedding dress arrived, it was almost noon.

The driver came right on time to pick me up and drove me to the cathedral entrance.

Ethan had arrived early.

Today he wore a white suit, his features refined, his temperament gentle.

He looked exactly like a prince walking out of an ancient castle.

He smiled and walked toward me, opening the back door and extending his hand.

"Cindy."

I cooperatively placed my hand in his and used his support to exit the car.

As I stepped toward the stairs, Ethan gently pulled my hand.

"Wait."

I looked at him, confused. "What's wrong?"

"It's not time yet. Come with me somewhere."

I was full of doubt. At this hour, guests were already arriving.

Instead of greeting them, he was taking me somewhere else.

But to avoid raising suspicion, I still agreed.

"Alright."

The place Ethan took me was a winery across the street.

Taking the elevator to the fifth floor, he led me to a massive floor-to-ceiling window.

From here, we could see the entire exterior of the cathedral.

Only now did I belatedly realize something was wrong.

Ethan was Gravenford Kingdom nobility. Today was his wedding day. The cathedral shouldn't be this quiet.

There shouldn't be so few cars on either side of the street.

"Ethan, what are you bringing me here to do?"

Ethan released my hand, turned, and walked to the sofa behind us to sit.

Hearing my question, he smiled ambiguously. "Soon, you'll know."

I couldn't help frowning, a slight unease rising in my heart.

"There's probably a bit more time. Come sit and rest too."

Ethan smiled and gestured for me to come over.

I didn't move. I turned to look at the street. The more I looked, the more wrong it seemed.

Ethan's security team wasn't on the street either.

I looked around. Suddenly I noticed figures moving on the top floor next to the cathedral across the way.

Like snipers occupying high ground.

After the realization hit, a chill exploded from my back.

I whipped around to look at Ethan. "Is today really our wedding?"

Ethan's hand paused as he picked up his water glass. Then he laughed lightly and asked back, "Do you hope it is, or isn't?"

I hated this kind of question-with-a-question communication the most.

"Do you know?"

Ethan's gaze lifted slightly, the smile at his lips receding a bit. "Know what?"

"Stop playing games." I walked closer to him. "Do you know I saw Leopold the day we tried on wedding dresses?"

The glass was set down heavily on the coffee table by Ethan.

He stood and walked before me.

"You've admitted it."

"What about you? Shouldn't you tell me what you're planning to use me for?"

I looked at him coldly.

But my heart was in turmoil.

No security team, no guests, even my parents weren't here.

This wasn't a wedding venue at all, but a trap designed from the start.

"If you want to know, first give me a little sincerity."

Ethan held out his hand before me.

I looked at him, confused.

"Whatever you have in your hand, give it to me."

I took a deep breath. "I don't have anything."

"Cindy, you're not being good." Ethan didn't believe me, coldness surfacing in his eyes. "I'll give you one more chance. Give me what Brielle gave you, or I can't guarantee your parents' safety."

Fury ignited in my chest.

It surged upward, burning my throat dry.

"I didn't bring that thing. If you don't believe me, you can have someone search the trash can in my bedroom."

Ethan was skeptical but eventually glanced at someone behind him.

The guard who received the signal turned and left to verify.

"Cindy, it's not that I don't trust you. I'm just too afraid you'll deceive me."

Ethan moved closer, wanting to hold my hand.

I retreated warily. "Things haven't been verified yet. What if I am deceiving you?"

Ethan's expression stiffened.

Just then, the person who'd gone to investigate returned and reported to him.

"Mr. Guise, we did find something in the trash can. Take a look."

He handed Ethan his phone.

After seeing the photo, Ethan's gaze toward me filled with guilt.

"Cindy, I..."

"No need to explain." I cut him off coldly. "There's no trust left between us. It's normal for you to doubt me. You just shouldn't underestimate me. Even if I didn't want to marry you, I'd never want your life."

"Much less threaten you with the lives of my loved ones."

"I'm sorry." Ethan apologized quickly. "I spoke without thinking just now. Actually, your parents are fine at the hotel. They're your parents. I'd never hurt them."

"Then who is this trap you arranged today aimed at?" I demanded sharply.

Ethan's eyes deepened. "I'm not sure who it is either. I hope no one comes."

His words left me baffled.

He didn't know who would come, so why go to such lengths to set this up?

Just then, the sound of motorcycles roaring through the street came from below.