I suddenly leaned in close to him. “I didn’t stop the wedding to expose you. I just need you to play along with me for a scene.”

Thinking of how, in the story, he took revenge on the Rivers family for my sake, only to end up dying alongside Mason, my vision blurred as tears slipped down my cheeks.

Edwin panicked, fumbling as he wiped my tears away.

“If you feel wronged, I can…”

I looked at him steadily. “Edwin, listen carefully. You’re the one I want to marry.”

The comments instantly flooded the screen in a sea of pink: [What the hell did I just hear? The supporting female lead just snapped out of it. Did she just propose?!]

[I’m screaming! Look at his eyes, he has completely fallen for her!]

When we returned to the stage, the officiant smiled and announced, “Now, please exchange rings.”

I picked up the ring, but when I slid it onto his finger, it got stuck stubbornly at the knuckle.

He tried awkwardly to push it on, but I pressed down on his hand to stop him.

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

“What’s going on? The ring doesn’t fit?”

“How do you mess up something this important? The Rivers and Wills families are being awfully careless.”

At the main table, Mason’s parents’ expressions darkened instantly. They exchanged a look, and in each other’s eyes was the same flicker of panic and unease.

So, they had known all along about Mason’s farce and chose to cover it up.

My mother frowned, watching me with concern.

I gave my parents a reassuring look, signaling for them to stay calm.

Then, under the uncertain gaze of everyone present, I reached out and tore the mask off Edwin’s face.

“Oh my God! The groom isn’t Mason Rivers!”

“Then where’s the real groom?!”

Mason’s mother, Grace Clark, was the first to react. “What… what is going on? Who are you?!”

Mason’s father, William Rivers, turned ashen.

He shouted at the restless crowd and reporters below the stage, “Quiet down! Where’s security? There’s been a minor issue with the wedding. We’ll resolve it immediately!”

The comments kept racing across my vision: [This is getting good! Front row seats! Who’s got snacks?]

[In the original storyline, the one crying on stage in total panic was supposed to be Yuna. Now it’s the Mason’s parents instead. Ironic.]

My mother looked at me anxiously. “Yuna, what’s going on? Where’s Mason?”

I turned and gave my parents a reassuring look.

Under the stunned gaze of the entire room, I took Edwin’s hand.

“Thank you all for being here today to witness my wedding to Edwin Walker. There’s been a small mix-up—the signage and rings were prepared incorrectly.”

I paused, then continued, “But it’s nothing serious. The ceremony will go on.”

Beside me, Edwin straightened his posture, as if staking his claim.

Grace trembled with anger as she glared at me. “Yuna, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you’re doing?

“You actually brought in some random man to replace Mason? Where do you think that leaves the Rivers family’s reputation?!”

William stepped forward as well, lowering his voice. “Yuna, don’t be reckless. You and Mason grew up together. Even if he skipped out today, you can’t treat an alliance between our families like a joke.

“Stop the wedding now. We’ll handle this privately.”

I ignored them and handed the microphone to Edwin.

“Edwin, tell everyone why you’re standing here today.”

He met my gaze, a faint smile passing between us, his voice steady and clear:

“The reason I’m standing here today… is because Mason Rivers paid me twenty thousand dollars to take his place at this wedding.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall erupted.

“What?! He paid someone to stand in for him at his own wedding?!”

“Oh my God, has Mason lost his mind? This is humiliating the Wills family in front of everyone!”

Exposed on the spot, William and Grace’s faces drained of all color.

My father’s anger finally exploded. He pointed straight at William and shouted, “Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. Treating my daughter’s wedding like some kind of joke.

“Have you no shame at all? Do you really think the Wills family has no one to stand up for her?!”

My mother’s eyes reddened with fury as she hurried onto the stage, pulling me protectively behind her. She looked at the Rivers family and said coldly, “This wedding is off. From this moment on, the Wills family has nothing to do with the Rivers family.”

Seeing the alliance about to collapse, Grace panicked.

“Yuna, Mason was just being immature. I’ll call him right now and have him come back to apologize to you.”

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Sure. I’ll give him one more chance. If you can reach him right now, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

Beside me, Edwin’s grip on my hand tightened slightly. I leaned closer and murmured, “Don’t worry. He’s not coming back.”

Like someone clinging to her last lifeline, Grace frantically pulled out her phone and started dialing Mason’s number.

Once. Twice. Three times…

Each time, the same cold automated voice echoed from the receiver: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable.”

I lowered my gaze, feigning disappointment. “Looks like Mr. Rivers has no intention of coming back.

“Security. Please escort the unrelated parties out.”

William and Grace were quickly pulled away by security, while reporters surged forward, cameras flashing inches from their faces.

My mother held my hand tightly, asking no questions. “Yuna, whatever you decide, your father and I will support you.”

My father gave my shoulder a firm pat. Warmth surged through me, and for a moment, I nearly broke down.

A comment drifted across my vision.

[In the original story, Yuna insisted on marrying Mason, cut ties with her family, and in the end, he drove the Wills family into bankruptcy.

[Her parents aged overnight… and ended their life together. Seeing this now actually makes me want to cry.]

I lowered my head, hiding the emotion in my eyes. If they chose to be ruthless, then they couldn’t blame me for doing the same.

After the ceremony ended, I immediately called my executive assistant.

“Terminate all cooperation with the Rivers family at once and pull every dollar we’ve invested. Leave nothing behind.”

The news that I had swapped grooms on the spot and married Edwin didn’t spread right away.

The Rivers family suppressed it, trying to keep their stock from crashing.

The moment the wedding ended, Edwin and I rushed to get our marriage license. Right after, he said he had to go overseas for a few days.

Meanwhile, completely in the dark, Mason spent two carefree days at a villa on the outskirts of the city with Joyce before finally sensing something was off.

By now, I should’ve already made a scene and forced him to come back, but I hadn’t taken any action.

Mason absentmindedly scrolled through his phone, not even responding when Joyce called his name.

“This isn’t right. Yuna’s just playing hard to get,” he scoffed, tossing his phone aside.

Joyce tested the waters carefully. “Mason, do you think Yuna’s really upset? Maybe you should go back and smooth things over. It’s not worth offending the Wills family because of me…”

“Apologize to her? She’s not worth it.” Mason lifted her chin, his expression full of arrogance.

“She’s hopelessly in love with me. She can’t walk away from our twenty years of history.

“I’d bet in less than three days, she’ll come running back with funding, begging me to marry her. I’ve been too soft on her.”

Right then, a comment drifted across the screen.

[I’m dying. Does this guy even have a brain? He still doesn’t know the Wills family already pulled their investment. The Rivers Group is about to crash and burn.]

[Man, your whole house is on fire and you’re still sitting there feeling proud.]

I didn’t expect to run into those two at my father’s business gala.

Mason noticed me immediately, but the moment he saw me talking to another man, his expression darkened.

After spotting me, Joyce casually brushed a hand over her stomach and said in a soft, fragile voice, “Mason, I’m tired. My feet hurt… it’s so stuffy in here.”

He helped her along, all gentle concern, though his gaze flicked toward me as if by accident.

He was probably waiting for me to go up to him first.

Unfortunately for him, I didn’t.

From beginning to end, I didn’t spare him so much as a glance.

At last, he lost his patience. He strode over to our table and set his glass down with a heavy thud.

“Yuna, are you upset because I had someone stand in for me at the wedding?”

I couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. I stood, ready to leave.

“I missed the ceremony because Joyce was sick. It was urgent; I had no choice.”

Joyce swayed over and blocked my path, her tone soft and apologetic. “Yuna, please don’t blame Mason. It’s my fault. My health held up your wedding…”

Mason let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Yuna, since when did you become this petty? It was just a wedding.

“We didn’t even sign the papers. How does that count as a marriage? Was it really worth teaming up with your father to pull the funding just to force my hand?”

As he spoke, he reached out as if it were only natural to grab my arm.

My gaze turned cold. I shook him off immediately.

“Mr. Rivers, have some respect.

“Didn’t your parents tell you what happened at the wedding?”

Mason froze. “Tell me what?”

A flicker of panic crossed Joyce’s face as she grabbed my wrist. “Yuna, don’t be like this. Mason still cares about you…”

Her voice sounded conciliatory, but her nails dug hard into my skin, sharp enough to make me suck in a breath.

The comments exploded: [What the hell? What’s with the female lead. She’s already making a move?]

I yanked my hand free. “Get off me.”

“Ah—!”

Joyce stumbled back and fell hard to the floor, utterly disheveled.

Mason’s eyes went bloodshot as he hurried to help Joyce up, then roared at me, “Yuna! Do you have any idea how fragile she is? Apologize to her right now!”

I let out a cold laugh and turned to the security staff rushing over. “Security, escort them out.”

Mason’s face darkened with fury. “Don’t think this will get my attention. If you behave yourself, I’ll go register the marriage with you in a few days.”

[Seriously, what’s wrong with this guy? Isn’t he supposed to love the female lead? Why does he sound like such a self-absorbed jerk?]

[I’m dying. He still doesn’t know she’s already married to the villain. Yet, he still expected her to come crawling back?]

I smiled. “Register the marriage? I’m already married.”

The smile on Mason’s face froze. He stood there, stunned, his brows knitting tightly together.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

He stepped forward, his tone still dripping with arrogance. “If you’re married, where’s your husband? Why didn’t he come with you?”

A trace of mockery curled at my lips. “My husband’s on a business trip. Unlike certain useless men who have nothing better to do than live off women.”

Before he could explode, Joyce’s eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up on cue.

“Yuna, how can you say that about Mason? He works late every night for the company. Not only do you refuse to support him, you even lie just to upset him. You’re really breaking his heart.”

She paused deliberately, and just like that, Mason’s gaze toward me filled with disappointment and anger.

“Yuna, look at yourself, You’re so sharp-tongued and bitter. Who would even want you besides me?

“I’m telling you, drop the act. Playing hard to get will only make me look down on you even more.”