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.”

Robert Collins’ expression darkened.

He glanced at the black dog tied on the stage, then at Eric Collins, still in casual clothes, and slammed his cane angrily against the floor. “Nonsense!”

Eric faltered, guilt flickering in his eyes.

He looked toward his mother.

Margaret Collins stepped forward nervously. “Father… here’s what happened.”

“Before the ceremony, Lily used Tarot cards to read Eric’s fortune.”

“She said if Eric went through with the wedding, he’d attract misfortune.”

“I thought in such matters, it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, Eric is the heir of the Collins family. If anything happened to him, the consequences would be too great.”

Robert’s face grew stern. “Absurd! Tarot cards? Superstitious nonsense—nothing but trickery!”

Lily Harper shrank back, not daring to say a word.

Margaret forced herself to continue, “And… there was another reason. I wanted to use this chance to put Sophia Bennett in her place. If she comes into our family too arrogantly, it will disrupt our household.”

I expected Robert to scold her further.

But instead, he fell silent.

Turning to me, he said, “Sophia, I know you’ve suffered today. But listen to me—just finish the ceremony, treat it as a blessing for Eric. I’ll make it up to you afterward.”

Shock and fury surged through me. “What?!”

When my father first went missing, Robert had invited me to live with the Collins family.

At that time, his attitude toward me was almost humble.

As the years passed, his humility faded, replaced by the kindly demeanor of an elder.

I had truly believed he cared for me.

But now… he was a different man entirely.

“Grandpa Collins,” I cried out in grief, “you’re asking me to marry a dog? How could you? You were my father’s old friend. When you meet him again one day, won’t you feel ashamed?”

To my horror, Robert gave a chilling laugh.

Smiling coldly, he said, “Your father? I received word just hours ago. They’ve found his body.”

“He isn’t missing anymore. He’s dead.”

The words struck like lightning. My head spun; I nearly collapsed.

No one moved to steady me.

Clutching a chair for balance, I fought to stand, then burst into sobs.

Robert offered no comfort. His calculating gaze even held a trace of glee.

“I originally insisted Eric marry you to secure an alliance with your family. But now that your father is dead, as his only child, you’ve inherited all the Bennett fortune.”

“That’s even better. Once you marry into the Collins family, that fortune will belong to us. Hahaha…”

My heart went ice cold.

So Robert had never truly treated me well.

Everything he did was out of greed for my family’s wealth.

When my father was alive, he dared not make a move and sought alliance through marriage.

Now that my father was gone, he planned to seize everything.

Robert waved his hand. “Why are you still standing around? Continue with the ceremony.”

“Today, I’ll break her spirit once and for all.”

Those present cheerfully agreed.

I wiped my tears, my voice cutting cold. “Wait.”

“I never got a marriage license with Eric. This wedding is void. I won’t marry him.”

Robert froze. He turned sharply toward Eric. “You mean… you two never got the license?”