I covered my stinging eyes with a handkerchief, took a deep breath, and didn't care to see who was sitting beside me.
My dad suddenly appeared, his tone extremely respectful and humble: "Second Master Carter, sorry for the embarrassment, the VIP seats are over there. Please move slightly."
"No need, I'll sit here." The man addressed as Second Master Carter spoke with a clear yet condescending tone.
My dad wanted to say something else, but the emcee on stage invited both sets of elders to come forward. Shirley Turner quickly came over and pulled him away.
I lifted my head, calmed my emotions, and before I had a chance to return the handkerchief, I heard from the sound system: "Please welcome today's wedding officiant, Ms. Lily Miller to the stage."
The spotlight suddenly hit me, catching me off guard.
The originally noisy scene fell abruptly silent, I knew all the guests were shocked and astonished, some sympathizing with me, others waiting to see a joke.
I immediately straightened my back, put on my armor, and showed an indestructible demeanor as I stepped on stage.
The scene resumed its chatter, and the gossiping intensified.
"I've long heard that Jason Miller favors his second daughter, being extremely harsh toward the eldest daughter he had with his ex-wife. Today is truly an eye-opener!"
"Who wouldn't be jealous of a gifted and beautiful eldest daughter? The stepmother whispers daily into his ear, naturally leading the dad to betray."
"Still say dad? Old sayings say with a stepmother comes a stepfather, alas… he's not as good as a stepfather."
"Indeed! Favoritism is common, but helping the younger daughter snatch the older daughter's husband, that's truly unheard of!"
"Hahaha, it's all the same to President Miller. After all, no matter which daughter President Gordon marries, he's still a royal son-in-law."
The guests chatted cheerfully, sneering and snickering endlessly.
Hearing this, I no longer felt embarrassed.
Anyway, in front of me were "two pairs" of scoundrels, the disgrace wouldn't fall on me.
On stage, the emcee holding the microphone, after finishing all the sentimental words, moved on to the main topic: "The wedding officially begins, first, let's invite officiant Ms. Lily Miller to give her blessing!"
Looking at the microphone extended towards me, I hesitated for a moment, then raised my hand to take it.
Adrian Gordon and Sophie Miller glanced at me, then withdrew their gaze, looking at each other, full of tenderness, loving affection.
At this moment, the pain in my heart abruptly ceased, and a surge of revengeful impulse swept over me.
I took a step forward with the microphone, composure in my look, and opened my mouth brightly: "Today is a great day, being able to officiate the wedding for my closest sister and my expired ex, I am truly honored. May they love each other deep, enduring and united, and soon be blessed with children. Here, I also, on behalf of the newlyweds, sincerely thank all the guests, wishing you and your families happiness, and all your dreams fulfilled."
Ha! If you want blessings, can you achieve offspring soon?
Before I finished speaking, whispers began again in the audience.
Then someone led the applause, yelling: "Great! Wonderful! The biggest winner of today's wedding is President Miller! Congratulations, President Miller!"
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
These words were obviously mocking my dad.
My dad's face looked a bit awkward, raising his hand to gesture to the guests to give some respect and stop the commotion.
Shirley Turner was fuming, her face fierce as she cursed, "Lily, aren't you ashamed!"
"I'm not the one who stole someone else's husband, what am I ashamed of?" I retorted confidently, ready to return the microphone and step down.
But unexpectedly, Sophie took the microphone, pushing the farce of the wedding to a climax.
"Sister, hold on." She suddenly called me.
I turned around.
Sophie let go of Adrian Gordon's hand, walked up to me, and pulled me back to the center of the stage.
"Today, the person I need to thank most is my sister. I have a terminal illness, and I don't have much time left. My biggest wish before I die is to marry the love of my life, Brother Adrian."
Sophie's eyes brimmed with tears as she started speaking, crying uncontrollably.
Halfway through hearing this, I understood, she was playing victim, morally coercing everyone present!
"Thank my sister for fulfilling my love with Brother Adrian, and thank her for letting me leave this world without regrets. I hope you won't laugh at my sister, she is the best sister in the world."
After Sophie finished crying this, the audience truly quieted down, everyone earnestly watching the stage, suddenly no longer sneering.
I also looked at the audience, not sure if it was an illusion, I saw a strikingly handsome face, eyes like cold stars, lips slightly curled.
He seemed amused, not at all moved by Sophie's victim-playing.
Sophie turned around, looking at me with tearful eyes, crying as she spoke: "Sister, thank you, I want to hear your true feelings, do you… hate me?"
I shivered all over, completely unable to believe Sophie reached this level!
She morally coerced everyone and still wanted me to publicly express my stance, cooperating with her in this nauseating display of sibling love?
I almost vomited last night's dinner!
The emcee, seeing my lack of reaction, immediately handed me another microphone.
I was about to get a heart attack; my blood boiled, couldn't bear it any longer, and suddenly threw caution to the wind.
I took the microphone, smiled slightly, turned lightly, and said, "Actually, it's I who should thank my sister."
The audience all let out an "Oh?", obviously curious.
Having her husband stolen yet still thanking her?
Unhurriedly, I continued: "What she took away was not my man, but my trouble. No iron chain can hold back a dog that wants to escape—so there's a saying, what is it, let the whore match with the dog, everlasting harmony!"
The place exploded, those guests who enjoyed the hustle raised their hands, clapped, and whistled.
"Great! Eldest Miss Miller is formidable!"
"President Miller Junior is awesome!"
"Everlasting, everlasting!"
I was very satisfied with this effect, a feeling of revenge washed over my heart.
I turned to look at Sophie, in her expression about to shatter from shock, I gave a relieved smile: "Good sister, I don't hate you, I also want to thank you. Wish you everlasting harmony, life and death together."
"Pop!" Before I finished speaking, my cheek was slapped heavily to the side.
I staggered, bumping into the emcee.
"Lily! You really are—" My dad, his face flushed liver-red, pointed at me, his finger shaking vigorously, "You're just like your mother! Born to curse me!"
He spoke, lowering his voice, gritting his teeth, as if wanting to tear me apart.
I swung my face back, giving him a cold smile, suddenly, stern and fierce, "Jason Miller, you're not qualified to mention my mom. If it weren't for your ruthless nature, my mom wouldn't have died so early!"
Anyway, the face was already torn apart, anyway, it wasn't my wedding, let it get big if it gets big!
"Lily! Enough!" Adrian Gordon finally couldn't hold back, joining those reprimanding me, "Making a scene like this, what good does it do you?"
I turned to look at him, eyeing him up and down, giving a contemptuous cold smile, "Adrian Gordon, you should take off this outfit, I made it for Bago, why are you wearing it?"
"You—"
"Oh, I forgot you and Sophie are a pair, she stole my wedding dress, you stole my dog's attire, you're not a family if you don't enter…"
"Lily! See if I don't tear your mouth apart!" Before I finished speaking, Jason Miller thundered in anger, rushed over to publicly hit me.
I couldn't dodge in time, he caught my arm, hit me again with a slap, but I would not yield, whether or not he was my dad, I fought back with all my might.