It was only because Eric Collins was the heir to the wealthy Collins family that people thought I was reaching above my station.

I was just an orphan, taken in by Robert Collins, his grandfather.

To outsiders, it seemed like I had climbed too high, that I should grovel before the Collins family and cling to this chance to “rise above.”

But no one knew the truth—Robert had personally and respectfully invited me to live with the Collins family. The word “adoption” was just for appearances.

And back then, it was Eric who had pursued me relentlessly.

He accompanied me whenever I went shopping, replied instantly to every message, remembered every little thing I liked.

I was moved by his sincerity, and that was why I agreed to marry him.

I never imagined that after he proposed successfully, he would turn so cold.

Perhaps… he never loved me at all.

At that moment, the photographers and stylists approached cautiously.

“Miss Bennett, we…”

I gave a bitter smile. “You can all go. I’ll transfer the final payment to your accounts. My wedding is canceled.”

They nodded silently, gave me a sympathetic look, and left.

With a sigh, I turned to head home and change out of my gown.

But just as I reached the doorway, a sudden roar startled me.

I turned and saw a motorcycle charging toward me.

I jumped back in fright.

The bike screeched to a halt, and two thugs leapt off.

They smirked, “Hey beauty, wearing a wedding dress—who are you trying to seduce?”

Shocked and furious, I snapped, “Leave right now, or I’ll call the police.”

They exchanged a glance and sneered, “Go ahead. We’re regulars at the station anyway.”

One of them lunged at me while the other pulled out his phone, leisurely recording.

I ran, screaming for help, but there was no one around.

In high heels, I couldn’t move fast. Before long, they cornered me against a wall.

I struggled to push one of them away, but he was far stronger. His hands clawed at my gown, ready to tear it apart.

Then, at that critical moment, a tall figure’s cold voice rang out: “Stop.”

The two thugs froze.

Before they could react, the man moved with lightning speed and knocked them both down.

Only then did I recognize him—it was Daniel Walker.

I hurried to him, my eyes misting. “Thank you… thank God you came in time.”

Daniel shook his head. “I wasn’t in time. I was here all along.”

That one sentence made tears spill from my eyes.

Daniel and I had known each other since childhood; our families were old friends.

When I chose to marry Eric, he had gotten drunk and called me, saying he would never bother me again—but that he would always wait.

I thought he wouldn’t show up today. I never imagined he had been watching over me all along.

After the thugs fled, Daniel was about to leave.

I called out to him: “I’m supposed to get married today, but I’m missing a groom. Interested?”

His body trembled.

When he turned back, he wore a forced casual smile. “And what kind of groom would I be? Temporary? Part-time?”

I laughed. “Lifelong. Full-time.”

His eyes lit with unrestrained joy. “Yes. Yes!”

As if afraid I’d change my mind, he pulled me into his car and told the driver, “Get us to the County Clerk’s Office as fast as you can!”

I looked at him in surprise. “Do you even have your documents with you?”

Daniel nodded seriously. “I’m always ready to marry you.”

At the County Clerk’s Office, Daniel Walker finally let out a sigh of relief only after we had completed the registration and received our marriage certificate.

The entire way there, he had been worried I might change my mind.

As we stepped outside, I looked at the burgundy-covered certificate in my hands, a wave of emotion washing over me.

“My father liked you a lot,” I whispered. “He mentioned you to me several times. If only he could see this.”

Daniel’s voice was low. “No word from Mr. Bennett yet?”

I nodded faintly. “It’s been three years since he went missing.”

Three years ago, my mother, Julia Bennett, died in a car accident overseas.

My father, Richard Bennett, went abroad to investigate, but then mysteriously disappeared. We never heard from him again.

Out of concern that, as a young woman, I might be mistreated or misled, Robert Collins had invited me to live with the Collins family while waiting for news of my father.

I never expected that wait to stretch into three years. And in that time, I had nearly become a Collins daughter-in-law.

Just then, a bespectacled young man hurried past and accidentally bumped into Daniel, spilling coffee all over his suit.

The young man was flustered, stammering apologies.

Daniel, in high spirits after our marriage, smiled. “It’s fine.”

He turned to me. “Wait here a moment, I’ll clean this up in the restroom.”

I nodded.

But no sooner had Daniel rushed off than a group of men closed in around me.

Startled, I tried to step aside, but they lunged, seizing my arm.

I opened my mouth to call out, but one of them quickly covered it with his hand.

I recognized one of them immediately—it was Eric Collins’ bodyguard.

He made a quick call. “Mr. Collins, we’ve found Miss Bennett. We’re bringing her to the wedding venue now.”

Eric’s cold voice came through the phone: “Hurry.”

The next second, I was shoved into a car.

Half an hour later, I was dragged into the hotel banquet hall where Eric was waiting.

His face was icy. “Sophia Bennett, were you really planning not to show up?”

“All because of a dog—you’d throw away our wedding?”

“I’m not just disappointed in you, I’m heartbroken.”

At that moment, Margaret Collins came out and snapped at him, “The guests are waiting. Start the ceremony immediately. Bring her in.”

As she passed me, she shot me a sharp glare. “Sophia, you’re far too unruly. On your wedding day of all days, you kept everyone waiting over an hour. After this ceremony, I’ll see to it you learn some proper discipline.”

Eric waved his hand, and two bodyguards forced me toward the hall.

I struggled. “Eric, I have nothing to do with you anymore. I’ve already married someone else!”

He looked at me as if I were insane. “Sophia, do you think lying like this is amusing?”

“Making a scene at our wedding will get you nothing but my disgust.”

“My advice? Know your place, and stop squandering the love I’ve given you.”

They dragged me to the entrance of the hall.

There, I froze.

A massive poster hung by the doors.

On it was my photo—next to Eric’s black dog.

Beneath it, bold letters read: Sophia Bennett & Blackie — Joyfully Wed.

Blackie. That was the name of Eric’s dog.

The hotel had turned it into a spectacle. Guests gathered around, taking pictures, laughing as they posted them online.

Lily Harper bounded over, grinning. “Sophia, I designed that poster myself. Do you like it?”

I clenched my teeth in rage.

But Eric didn’t so much as glance my way—he only urged the bodyguards on, dragging me into the hall.

Inside the banquet hall, all eyes turned to me, filled with contempt.

I overheard whispers:

“Doesn’t Sophia Bennett know her own worth?”

“On her wedding day she dares to put on airs? How could someone like her be worthy of the Collins family?”

Others muttered, “Eric Collins isn’t just rich and handsome—he’s actually devoted. And here Sophia is, making a scene on such an important day. Yet Eric even went out of his way to bring her back.”

Their pointing fingers and hushed comments made my chest burn.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I raised my voice: “I’m already married to someone else. Eric and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Let me go!”

But not a single person believed me.

Someone even sneered, “Sophia, stop pretending. Everyone knows you’ll do anything to climb up to Eric.”

“You served him like a maid—pouring tea, washing his feet—just to marry into wealth.”

“And now your dream is about to come true. Would you really throw it away?”

“My advice: be smart about this. If Eric gets angry, you can kiss your rich life goodbye.”

The one speaking was one of Eric’s so-called brothers.

I turned, eyes blazing with grief and rage. “Eric, is this what you’ve told them about me?”

He cleared his throat and whispered into my ear, “I’m a man. I need to save face in front of my buddies. What’s the problem with that?”

Then he said aloud, “Enough. Today’s a joyous day. Don’t insult Sophia anymore.”

His friends laughed and cheered, pretending to agree.

Meanwhile, the bodyguards forced me onto the stage.

The dog, Blackie, was tied up not far from me, snarling and snapping its jaws like it wanted to tear me apart.

Someone in the crowd joked, “Looks like Blackie can’t wait.”

A group of men snickered obscenely.

I shouted, “Where’s Grandpa Collins? I want to see him!”

From the audience, Eric replied coldly, “Grandpa isn’t well. He won’t be coming today.”

He was still dressed in casual clothes, sitting beside Lily Harper, both of them in matching outfits that screamed “couple.”

Grinding my teeth, I demanded, “Give me a phone. I want to call him myself.”

“Eric, I swear I’ll tell him everything that’s happening today.”

Eric hesitated.

But Lily came over, sighing softly. “Sophia, please stop making trouble. You know if Eric doesn’t marry you, Grandpa won’t let him inherit the family fortune. Why are you pushing him so hard? He’s already so pitiful.”

Her words stunned me, and a wave of ice washed over my heart.

So Eric had never loved me. He only pursued me to secure his inheritance.

Eric’s face darkened at her slip. He snapped, “Sophia Bennett, no wonder you’re acting out today. You must’ve heard about this and thought you could use it to blackmail me?”

He turned angrily to the bodyguards. “Forget her status—just finish the ceremony. If she resists, teach her a lesson!”

Just then, someone at the doors exclaimed, “Mr. Collins Senior is here!”

A moment later, a dozen bodyguards filed in, escorting Robert Collins, leaning on his cane.

Eric’s expression faltered, and he hurried forward, calling out, “Grandpa.”

Robert gave him a faint nod.

Seizing the moment, I cried out, “Grandpa Collins!”

I broke free from the bodyguards and ran to him, tears streaming down my face.

“They’re forcing me to marry a dog.”