By morning, the news had spread like wildfire, only to vanish just as quickly, leaving no trace behind, but the damage was already done.
Reporters swarmed outside the Hale estate, desperate for a glimpse of her, eager to uncover every sordid detail of the ill-fated marriage.
The Hale household had no choice but to call the police to chase the stubborn reporters away.
From her balcony, Lyra watched the garden below. Morning at the Hale estate was alive with motion.
Staff bustled about, arranging flowers, adjusting lights, and rushing to perfect every detail before the ceremony later that afternoon.
She wondered how Lucas would react when he learned she was marrying someone else. There was no escaping the marriage, after all.
The agreement between the two families, Hale and Pierce, required the wedding to be held in silence. Only the close and trusted ones were to be invited.
The Hale's troubled past had forced Agnes to make such a decision, but she had the full support of the Pierce.
Lyra kept reminding herself that she should be happy, carrying out the duty set by her grandfather's last will.
As she immersed herself in her thoughts, her eyes caught sight of the unfamiliar visitor.
The sleek black luxury car slipped through the gates of the Hale estate, its gleaming surface reflecting the soft morning light.
A soft knock came at her door. "Miss, Mr. Arthur has arrived."
Lyra moved to the mirror, giving herself one last glance. The document in her hand felt heavier than it actually was. She drew in a steady breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped out of the room.
Damian sat in the luxurious parlor, rising at once when she entered, his posture straightening instinctively.
"Miss Ashford, I'm here to collect the document for the marriage registration," he said, his tone polite though his gaze lingered a moment too long.
The woman standing before him wasn't just beautiful. There was something almost otherworldly about her.
Her delicate grace, slender frame, honey blonde hair that shimmered in the light, and sea-colored eyes gave her an ethereal, enchanting presence.
Damian was completely hypnotized, spellbound by her beauty.
"Earth to Mr. Arthur." Dora waved frantically in front of his face, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Here." Lyra handed him the document. "I didn't mean to trouble you," she apologized.
"It's no trouble. It's safer if you stay here. My boss also sends his apologies. He actually wanted to come, but he couldn't get out of a meeting this morning."
"I see," Lyra murmured, reaching for her purse. "Here's my ID card."
"Yes, Miss Ashford," he said, taking it from her carefully.
"Everything's ready. I'll head back now."
"Wait…" Lyra lifted her hand slightly, stopping him in his tracks.
Damian turned to her with a polite look. "Anything else, Miss Ashford?"
"I was just wondering…" she hesitated, her fingers tightening around her skirt. "Did he agree to this marriage willingly? After all, it happened so suddenly."
Lyra finally admitted what had been weighing on her mind.
"Um.." Damian's expression stiffened for a moment before he forced a smile. "O-of course he did. Otherwise, why would he let me handle the marriage process?"
"Is that so?"
Damian nodded, a faint, polite smile still fixed on his face.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave... I should get this processed before someone changes their mind."
"Huh? Who do you mean?" Lyra asked, bewildered.
"Ah, everything's fine. No one's changed their mind."
Dora wouldn't let Damian distort her young miss's thoughts.
She quickly escorted him to the door, leaving Lyra alone in the parlor, blinking in confusion.
Yesterday's incident was still fresh in her mind. A man had saved her, and, out of nowhere, he turned out to be the one her grandfather had chosen for her.
It happened years ago, when her elders arranged her marriage while she was studying abroad and everything changed the moment she returned home, with Lucas already in her heart.
They annulled the arrangement and let the matter fade away without her ever knowing it had existed. Even her father hadn't said a word, out of respect for her choice.
Even so, her late grandfather had told Agnes, if Lucas ever changed his heart and left her, she was to fulfil his last wish, for Lyra to marry the man he had chosen instead.
"But yesterday, did he know who I am?"
Lyra pulled out a photo, an image of him, but younger. The same amethyst eyes, the same clean, sculpted features, and the same calm expression made him unmistakably the same man.
…
Miles away, Lucas sat at his desk, effortlessly striking in a black suit and tie, though the strain of work lingered in his eyes.
He glanced up at the quiet tap of heels. Nadia leaned forward slightly, extending a document towards him.
Their fingers brushed for the briefest moment, and she murmured an apology before stepping back and heading to another room.
She stacked the papers neatly, grabbed her phone, and climbed up to the rooftop and dialed a number.
"What now?" The phone barely rang once before a weary voice snapped.
"How strange… why is there no news at all about that bitch?"
"That man has already been caught. I wash my hands of this. Don't come looking for me again!"
The line went dead almost immediately.
Nadia was shocked to hear that the man she had hired was already in custody. She felt frustrated, but for now, she needed to lay low, afraid of being discovered.