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!"