The ballroom that had erupted with laughter and flashing cameras only minutes earlier was now filled with chaos.
Reporters rushed forward like a tidal wave.
"Mr. Liang! Is this marriage real?"
"Miss Zhang! Did you plan this wedding?"
"Is this a business alliance between the Liang and Zhang families?"
Microphones and cameras pushed toward the stage as security guards struggled to keep the press under control.
Zhang Mei stood frozen, the marriage certificate still trembling in her hands.
Her mind refused to process what had just happened.
Married?
To Liang Wei?
This had to be a mistake.
A terrible misunderstanding.
Beside her, Liang Wei's expression had turned dangerously cold as the alcohol in his system slowly gave way to clarity.
"What did we just sign?" he asked quietly.
Chen Tao scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Technically… a legal marriage document."
Liang Wei turned slowly toward him.
"You're joking."
"I wish I was."
The clerk who had stamped the certificate nervously adjusted his glasses.
"Everything has already been processed through the civil registry system."
The room fell silent.
That meant the marriage was completely legal.
Zhang Mei felt her stomach drop.
This couldn't be happening.
Not after everything she had already lost.
Liang Wei took the certificate from her hand and studied it carefully.
His signature was clearly printed at the bottom.
So was hers.
His jaw tightened.
"Get the car ready," he said to his assistant coldly.
The security team immediately surrounded him.
Zhang Mei stepped down from the stage, hoping to disappear into the crowd before things became worse.
But fate clearly had other plans.
A reporter shouted loudly.
"Miss Zhang! Your family disowned you two years ago. Are you marrying Mr. Liang to regain status?"
The question hit her like a slap.
Another reporter added,
"Or is this a business conspiracy between two corporate empires?"
The whispers started immediately.
"Maybe she trapped him."
"I heard she's desperate."
"She must want his money."
Zhang Mei clenched her fists.
She had endured humiliation before.
But this time it was different.
Because now she had dragged another person into the scandal.
Liang Wei suddenly stepped forward.
His tall figure instantly silenced the reporters.
His voice was calm but firm.
"This matter will be addressed by my legal team tomorrow."
Then his sharp gaze swept across the room.
"Until then, I suggest everyone stops spreading rumors."
No one dared respond.
Within seconds, his security team escorted him toward the exit.
Zhang Mei stood alone under the bright lights of the ballroom.
For the first time in years…
She felt truly helpless.
Outside the hotel, the cool night air carried the distant sound of traffic.
A long black luxury car waited near the entrance.
Liang Wei stood beside it, his expression dark.
Zhang Mei hesitated before approaching.
She knew she couldn't avoid this conversation.
When she finally stopped a few steps away, neither of them spoke for several seconds.
Then Liang Wei finally broke the silence.
"Did you plan this?"
His tone was not accusing.
But it was dangerously serious.
Zhang Mei looked directly into his eyes.
"No."
Liang Wei studied her carefully.
Her calm gaze held no trace of deception.
Chen Tao sighed in relief.
"Well, that's good."
Liang Wei shot him a glare.
"This is your fault."
Chen Tao raised both hands.
"Hey, I didn't know the marriage certificate was real!"
Zhang Mei crossed her arms.
"Neither did I."
Liang Wei rubbed his temple.
This situation was beyond ridiculous.
He had built billion-dollar companies.
Negotiated deals worth hundreds of millions.
But somehow…
He had accidentally married a stranger in front of half the city.
Finally, he turned to Zhang Mei.
"Get in the car."
She blinked.
"Why?"
"We need to fix this."
After a brief hesitation, she opened the door and entered the vehicle.
The ride through the city was silent.
The bright skyline of skyscrapers reflected across the car windows.
Finally, Liang Wei spoke again.
"Do you want to annul the marriage?"
"Yes."
Her answer came instantly.
He nodded.
"Good."
At least they agreed on something.
Chen Tao, sitting in the front seat, turned around.
"There's a small problem."
Liang Wei narrowed his eyes.
"What problem?"
Chen Tao pulled out his phone and showed them an online news article.
The headline glowed brightly on the screen.
BILLIONAIRE CEO LIANG WEI MARRIES DISGRACED HEIRESS IN SHOCKING CHARITY GALA WEDDING
Below the headline were dozens of photos.
Some captured Liang Wei signing the certificate.
Others showed Zhang Mei standing beside him.
The story was already trending across every major news platform.
Zhang Mei's face turned pale.
"It's everywhere."
Chen Tao nodded.
"And it's only been twenty minutes."
Liang Wei leaned back in his seat.
His mind began calculating the damage.
If the marriage was annulled immediately, the media would explode with speculation.
His company's stock could be affected.
Investors might panic.
And Zhang Mei…
She would likely become the center of even harsher public ridicule.
Finally, Liang Wei spoke again.
"We can't divorce immediately."
Zhang Mei looked at him in shock.
"What?"
"It would create a bigger scandal."
She frowned.
"So what are you suggesting?"
Liang Wei met her gaze calmly.
"We stay married."
The car suddenly felt very quiet.
Chen Tao nearly choked.
"Wait… what?"
Liang Wei continued calmly.
"Temporarily."
Zhang Mei stared at him.
"How temporary?"
"Until the media loses interest."
"And then?"
"Then we divorce quietly."
Zhang Mei looked out the window.
This was insane.
But strangely…
It might actually work.
After a long moment, she finally sighed.
"Fine."
Liang Wei nodded.
"Good."
But neither of them realized that their temporary marriage was about to change their lives forever.