Hank couldn't help but chuckle, as if he had just heard a joke.

Crossing his arms, he looked at Stella. "Ms. Walton, are you joking? How could I possibly know anyone from the Jarrett family? Let alone enter the Jarrett residence?" Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added, "Oh, wait. I do know one of them-

Jean. I forgot that we were classmates. But we're not close enough for me to enter her house freely. Besides, not anyone can enter the Jarrett residence." Lowering his voice, he pointed subtly in Arthur's direction. "That's where his parents live. You know who he is, right? And I'm just a little orphan. Isn't that a joke?" Hearing Hank's explanation, Stella thought for a moment and found his words

reasonable. However, something still felt a little off to her.

Noticing her lingering doubt, Hank asked, "Ms. Walton, did you happen to see someone who looks like me?"

Stella snapped out of her thoughts and quickly brushed it off. "Oh, I must have been mistaken."

With that, she stood up. "I won't disturb your meal any longer. I'll head over there to find some friends." Hank nodded obediently and waved at h

"Goodbye, Ms. Walton."

Then, as he

lowered his head, seemingly focusing on his food, a faintly arrogant smile curled at the corner of his lips.

After taking a short break, Morris and Cherise went over to Phoebe's table. Guests continued approaching them for toasts.

Luckily, Truman, Morris's groomsman, took full responsibility for blocking the drinks, ensuring that Cherise, exhausted from the day, could at least have a few bites of warm food. Eventually, people stopped coming over to disturb the newlyweds.

The wedding banquet remained orderly. On the surface, everyone seemed to bless the bride and groom sincerely, but what they truly thought and did in private was known only to themselves.

At that moment, Lydia, holding a wine glass, swayed as she made her way toward Truman.

The shadow of their last encounter still lingered over Truman. The moment he saw Lydia approaching, he wasted no time and immediately bolted toward

Jean's table, shielding her protectively.

From others' perspective, it looked as if Truman was holding Jean in his arms. This delighted the Simpson family, as well as Lucas and Mary, who were sitting nearby. Laughing at the scene, they raised their glasses and toasted playfully from afar.

Jean, who had been sipping her drink, was startled by Truman's sudden movement. "What are you doing all of a sudden?"

"Nothing, just protecting you!" Truman cast a wary glance at Lydia, who was slowly approaching.noveldrama

Jean noticed her too and frowned in displeasure. "Why is she everywhere?"

However, with Truman shielding her and so many people present at the wedding, she wasn't particularly afraid.

Lydia approached them casually, smiling as if nothing had happened. "Truman and Jean, I'm really sorry. I wasn't in the best mental state last time, so I did some unpleasant things."

She

continued, "I saw you two as the groomsman and bridesmaid just now, so I thought I should come over and apologize. I hope you can forgive me, especially you, Jean."

Before Jean could respond, Truman immediately rejected her. "We don't need

your apology. What's done is done. Jean has scars because of your intentional madness-

there's no point in saying all this now. Just go back."

He lowered his voice, his tone growing colder. "Listen up, this is my buddy's wedding. Take a good look at all the guests here. Don't stir up any trouble, or I won't let you off. Now leave before I make you."

Leo and the others, knowing the full story, stood up as well, glaring at Lydia menacingly. They weren't doing it for personal grudges-

they simply wanted Morris and Cherise's wedding to go smoothly.

Seeing their reaction, Lydia merely flashed a careless smile. She swirled the wine in her glass, took a slow sip, then turned around and sauntered back to her seat.

Once seated, she continued to watch Truman, who was still shielding Jean. A sly smirk appeared on her lips as she raised her glass toward him. Then, as if losing interest, she picked up her phone and immersed herself in whatever she was doing. Only then did Truman finally let out a relieved sigh. He turned to Jean. "If you need to go anywhere, you have to tell me first. No going off alone, understand?" Jean nodded. "Got it." With that, she started to walk away.

"Where are you going? Why are you suddenly leaving?" Seeing Jean move away, Truman immediately followed her.

"Sorry, Truman, I need to use the restroom. I must've had too much juice just now. Are you going to follow me there, too?" Jean said as she kept walking.

Instead of backing off, Truman's resolve only strengthened. "Of course! Did you forget what happened at the Walton family's place last time? It all started because you went to the restroom alone. I have to go with you."

Jean thought about it and had to admit he had a point. Lydia was acting weird-

eerie, almost reckless. No one knew what was going through her mind.

Having Truman follow her seemed like

a safer option. After all, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble at Morris and Cherise's wedding.

However, just a few minutes later, she regretted her decision.

Truman, convinced that it wasn't safe for her to go into the ladies' room alone, insisted she use the family restroom instead -

so he could guard the door.

Unfortunately, there were two moms with toddlers in line right behind them.

*****

At last, Cherise and Morris's wedding came to a perfect conclusion.

From then on, in Betrico, whenever people spoke of Morris, he was known as a successful businessman and a married man. And Cherise was the princess whom Morris had adored from beginning to end- the one he had gone to great lengths to marry.