I recalled how Emma would repeat the same excuse. "You have to see it from my side, Shawn. I'm the CEO of a company, so I definitely have to lead by example and keep my promises. Charlie is a high-stakes hire as well, so I can't afford to have him feeling slighted."

I reflected on that and became even more convinced that they had made a game out of my wedding every time.

Did they really think I wouldn't notice?

Their wager during the 19th time was that the wedding would be called off if Charlie could run from the hall to the stage, which was only 330 feet, in under a minute. Charlie, standing close to six feet and three inches, could have easily made it even by crawling.

Charlie took his time getting to the stage before shooting me a mocking look. "You're so permissive with me, Ms. Jillard. Is it because you want to marry me instead? Why don't you make it happen, then? I'd definitely look incredibly sharp in that wedding suit."

Emma let out a doting smile. "You're already up on the stage, so I shouldn't let you go down just like that. You actually look quite good in this suit."

That day, Emma actually exchanged rings with Charlie. She then explained to me, "It's been a long day of celebrations, and everyone is worn out, so let's just postpone the ceremony until next time."

If it had been me exchanging rings with her that day, our wedding would have gone through.

That occasion marked the closest point to happiness in my life.

Josie was still pressuring me to take the fall for Emma when Emma and Charlie suddenly appeared, walking arm in arm.

Charlie said, "You've lost again, Ms. Jillard. You missed it by a single second, so you'd better pay up."

Emma replied gently, "You can go ahead and tell me what you want, then."

Charlie put on a thoughtful front before saying, "You've had a long, tiring day, so I'll just make you go to dinner with me as your punishment."

Emma beamed immediately. "You're so thoughtful, Charlie. You always seem to know just what I need."

I felt unexpectedly calm as I watched Emma throw the boutonniere and the ring into the trash. I realized then that I had completely given up on Emma. I asked her politely, "Do you plan on skipping out on the wedding again, Emma?"

Emma turned around and shot me a scornful look. "You're seriously fussing over nothing, Shawn. It's already past the designated time, so we'll deal with the wedding stuff some other time."

Emma walked off with Charlie in front of every guest present, causing quite a bit of laughter to echo throughout the hall.

They were laughing at how I, the proud heir of the Fuller family, had my dignity completely trampled on by Charlie, a mere assistant.

I broke into a wide grin as I watched them walk away. I then called out to them. "How about we make a bet on whether there will be a 21st attempt at this wedding, Emma?

Emma looked back with an impatient glare. "I made it clear that I only do this with Charlie. You aren't even in a position to challenge me to a bet, Shawn."

I could hear the mocking laughter from the crowd intensifying, yet it didn't bother me in the slightest.