My heart lurched. My legs were shaking, but I gritted my teeth and swung the stick in my hand as hard as I could.

The dog eyed the stick warily and kept its distance, watching me like a predator waiting for the right moment.

I stared right back at it, but my peripheral vision was fixed on the exit. Inch by inch, I edged my way toward the door.

I was almost there when the dog let out a sudden bark. I flinched so hard that my legs gave out and I slipped to the ground.

The dog pounced on me instantly. Its foul, reeking drool dripped all over my face.

Meanwhile, Alexander had finished greeting the guests and went looking for Celeste, carrying the wedding gift I'd prepared for her.

He was all smiles, attentive as always, reaching over to fix a loose pin in Celeste's hair.

But Celeste wouldn't give him the time of day. She turned her head away with a cold huff.

Margaret was no better, her tone dripping with passive aggression.

"Even on your wedding day, you've got women throwing themselves at you. Impressive, Mr. Sterling."

Alexander had no idea what she was talking about, but he kept his composure and patiently pulled out the wedding gift I'd given him for her.

"This is from my sister. A wedding present. Take a look."

When Celeste saw the size of the box, she figured it had to be something impressive. Her expression softened slightly — but the moment she took it from his hands, her face fell.

"What the hell is this? It's our wedding day and she sends us an empty box?"

Alexander blinked. He hadn't opened it himself, but knowing what his sister was worth, there was no way it could actually be empty.

"Why don't you open it first? If you don't like it, we can talk."

Celeste scoffed and flipped the box open, only to find a few sheets of paper inside. She was so furious she tossed them straight onto the floor.

"Alexander, does your family think I'm not good enough? Humiliating me on my own wedding day!"

She was about to say more, but Margaret grabbed her arm and she bit her tongue.

It was Gerald who bent down and picked up the papers. His hands were trembling with excitement as he read them.

"The Sterlings gave us a billion-dollar contract!"

Celeste snatched the papers from him in shock. She counted the figures over and over, and only after confirming the number did a thin smile creep across her face.

"Hmph. At least someone in your family has some class."

Every guest in the room was singing Celeste's praises — how lucky she was, how generous and caring I must be.

Alexander nodded with a smile, then asked, "Where's my sister? I don't see her anywhere."

The smile vanished from Celeste's face instantly. Her voice went cold.

"Isn't your sister overseas closing a deal? How would I know?"

Alexander's eyes dropped to the necklace around her neck, and his expression hardened.

"I asked my sister to deliver that necklace to you personally. You're wearing it right now, so don't tell me you haven't seen her."

That set Celeste off. She slapped Alexander across the face.

"Liar!"

Just then, one of the guests stepped forward.

"Mr. Sterling, that woman who said she's your sister — the bride's people beat her up pretty bad and dragged her off somewhere."

Alexander's face was livid with fury. He seized Celeste by the throat and roared.

"Where is my sister!"

Celeste was gasping for air, but she still refused to back down.

"She was obviously your mistress! I saw you two holding each other!"

Alexander was breathing hard, barely containing his rage.

"I'll ask you one more time. Where is my sister!"

Celeste's eyes were rolling back in her head before Margaret finally blurted out where I'd been taken.

The moment Alexander released her, Celeste collapsed to the floor, choking and coughing — but still cursing under her breath.

Alexander fixed her with a frigid stare and said nothing. Before leaving with his men, he ordered security to surround the room. Nobody was allowed to leave.

"If my sister has been hurt in any way, your entire family is finished!"