Three days later, it was Lyra's birthday. I'd personally planned a yacht party for her.

She still didn't quite believe that I loved her, so my only option was to slowly prove it to her.

After getting Lyra to board the yacht first, I instructed Heath to prepare the fireworks and make sure they went off at 12:00 am sharp.

Once I was certain that everything was perfect, I boarded the yacht to look for Lyra—only to end up seeing Lorraine instead.

She was wearing the gown I'd picked out for Lyra. The pearl necklace I'd prepared for Lyra was now hanging around her neck.

With a man on her arm, she was smugly flaunting in front of Lyra.

"Who let you onboard, Lyra? Cyrus prepared this yacht party for me, and I didn't invite you."

Lorraine's friends were openly making jokes at my expense, too.

"I didn't believe Lori at first when she said that Cyrus was her simp, but I believe her now. Even after she'd humiliated him like that, he went to such great lengths to prepare a birthday party for her, like a groveling doormat."

"Well, unfortunately for him, Lori likes sweet and thoughtful guys like Evan. It's a shame that all of Cyrus' devotion will go to waste."

Thanks to their sycophantic flattery, Lorraine was practically floating on cloud nine. Leaning against Evan, she remarked with a self-satisfied smile, "I didn't even want to show up today, but I had to just to put a stop to Cyrus' constant begging.

"Who would've thought I'd run into this dear sister of mine here? She's such an eyesore. My mood is completely ruined thanks to her. Say, why don't I let you guys see a performance, huh? Who wants to see a mermaid show?

"Call the staff over. Tell them to throw Lyra into the water. Feed her to the sharks."

"I dare anyone to try!" I growled as I shielded Lyra behind me, my expression hostile.

I never knew that Lorraine and Evan had already known each other at this point in time. What a despicable couple they were.

Sneering, Lorraine looked at me with a haughty expression and said, "Cyrus, didn't you make the announcement saying that we no longer had anything to do with each other just so you could give me a surprise today?

"Well, I've seen your surprise, and it's not all that special to me. Everything looks so tacky, from the flowers to the gown and jewelry, and even you.

"You're still the same guy who likes to use your money to humiliate everyone else. You're nothing like Evan. He's a refined gentleman—a true prince among men. Just having you in the same space as him puts me off. I wouldn't want you sullying his sophisticated bearing."

Laughter erupted all around us. Evan's eyes also flashed with smugness as he said with a chuckle, "Lori tends to speak bluntly, Mr. Lloyd, but it's only because she's innocent. Please don't take it to heart."

Eyes darkening, I smirked. "Why would I take it to heart? Since she doesn't know how to talk properly, I'll just have to teach her."

Lorraine seemed to have thought of something. Her eyes turned cold as she snapped, "Don't you dare mess around, Cyrus! I won't be kissing you in public. It'll only sicken me."

I could feel Lyra's body swaying a little behind me. My heart clenched as I squeezed her hand. A wave of regret washed over me.

Since Lorraine and I used to date, it wasn't unusual for us to kiss or hold hands, but I was afraid that Lyra might get the wrong idea.

"Shut up, Lorraine!"

Scoffing, Lorraine retorted, "What now? Are you going to use your power to coerce me? What do you have besides money, huh, Cyrus?

"I'll have you know that I'm going to become a CEO in the future. I'll be even richer than you! When the time comes, I won't have to suffer under your thumb any longer.

"I don't care for this surprise you prepared for me either!"

Saying that, she pushed over the 24-layer cake beside her. The movement also knocked over the champagne tower, which shattered into pieces on the floor.

The birthday party I prepared for Lyra was now completely ruined.

Clinging to Evan's arm, Lorraine attempted to strut off. Furious, I marched up to them and gave the signal. Instantly, a group of bodyguards stood in their path.

Frowning, Lorraine snapped sharply, "Don't make me despise you even more, Cyrus."

"How dare you leave after destroying the birthday party I prepared for Lyra? You wanted to see a mermaid show, didn't you?"

Snapping my fingers, I instructed the bodyguards in an icy voice, "Grab her and everyone she brought with her. Tie them to the yacht and let the sharks have at them."

All the color drained out of Lorraine's face. Without any regard for her image, she started cursing hysterically.

"Cyrus! Have you lost your mind? I'm warning you! If you dare do this to me, I'll never forgive you! Once I become a CEO, the first thing I'll do is make you pay for everything you've done to me! Cyrus! Cyrus!"

At last, the noise came to an end. I'd only just turned to Lyra with an apologetic look when fireworks began bursting across the sky.

I led Lyra to the deck and got down on one knee, holding up a ring with a massive diamond on it.

"I'd prepared this birthday party for you, Lyra. I'm sorry. I couldn't even make sure it went off without a hitch. Will you marry me?"

Under the dazzling fireworks show, Lyra slowly stretched out her hand. I thought I saw the shimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes.

"Yes, I will."

The moment I heard her answer, I was so thrilled that I scooped her up in my arms and spun around many times.

…

As the wedding drew near, I was so busy that I barely got any rest.

In my previous life, since I hadn't wanted to marry Lyra, I didn't care about the wedding. However, the same couldn't be said now. I was determined to give Lyra the grandest wedding possible.

As the officiant's voice echoed through the hall, my heart pounded wildly. Never in either one of my lifetimes had I felt as nervous as I did now.

My eyes locked on the doors at the end of the aisle. Any moment now, they'd open, and my bride would walk through them.

At the cue given by the officiant, the doors slowly opened.

But when I saw the woman who came in, my smile froze.

"Why is it you?"

Dressed in Lyra's wedding gown, Lorraine walked up to me, her expression reluctant.

"Didn't you freeze my card and take back everything from me because you wanted me to give in to you, Cyrus? I know what you're like. You're used to feeling superior to others. You'd never let anyone else rebel against your wishes.

"So fine. I admit defeat. I'll do as you wish and marry you. Happy now? But I'm going to make one thing clear to you. I'll never love you. Evan is the only man I'll ever love!" Lyra screamed at the top of her lungs, her eyes bloodshot.

Evan came dashing into the hall and tried to lead Lorraine away. "Don't marry him, Lori. I'll take you away. We don't have to be afraid of him! Even if we can't continue living in Jannington anymore, we can just go somewhere else. Let's never be apart ever again."

Lorraine clung to him tightly and cried her heart out. "Don't worry, Evan. We'll only be apart temporarily. We'll definitely be together in the future."

"Didn't I tell you? I'm going to become a CEO in the future, and you're going to be my most capable assistant. We're going to live happily ever after."

The guests were whispering among themselves, but nothing was registering in my head. All I wanted to know was where Lyra was.

"Hand Lyra over, Lorraine!"

Wiping her tears away, Lorraine said with a look of stubborn defiance, "Cyrus, as long as you promise me you won't cause any trouble for Evan, I'll marry you."

However, the fear of losing Lyra had left me at my breaking point. Closing my eyes, I clenched my teeth and snarled, "I'm going to ask you one last time. Where is Lyra?"

Lorraine simply smiled ruefully, as if mourning the future that was in store for her.

"You can drop the act now, Cyrus. As long as you agree to my terms, I'll do my part and be a dutiful Mrs. Lloyd to you."

I couldn't hold back anymore. Outraged, I slapped Lorraine right across the face, the sound shocking everyone into silence.

"I asked you a question! Where is Lyra?"

Clutching her swollen cheek, Lorraine stared at me in disbelief. "Cyrus! How dare you hit me!"