#THE_LAST_MINUTE_GROOM_S3
©Sir_Zach
EPISODE 23
He disengaged from the hug and held her shoulders, looking deep into her hazel eyes. “I promise you, I won’t ki|| Damien, but he has to face the consequences of his actions.”
Maverick didn’t feel that collecting the chip, and other ‘little’ things that Damien did to atone for his sins were enough because he could have easily gotten them by himself if he was desperate for them.
His main reason for keeping Damien alive was to use his help to get rid of the Dark Age organization. However, Maverick also felt like that wasn’t a good punishment because Damien’s biggest dream was also to get rid of the organization; meaning, they are fighting the same battle.
Jeslyn sighed, “Fine, but try not to hurt Kimberly, She has gone through a lot already.”
“Mn,” he peeked her on the forehead but Jeslyn took it further and kissed his lips.
…
On this fine day, Madam Caroline was in her room, mourning her losses with alcohol when her Butler knocked, he entered the room and handed her an envelope.
Madam Caroline had been like this for some weeks now and none of her servants and guards knew what her problem was.
“Madam, this was mailed this morning,” the Butler said.
“Get out!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” just as the Butler was about to leave, she instructed.
“Drop it.”
The Butler neatly placed the chocolate envelope next to her on the bed before leaving.
Madam Caroline didn’t want to open the envelope but after a long while, curiosity got the better of her.
Opening the gold and chocolate invitation card, it was a charity event, hosted by her?!
Confused, she looked through the envelope and found a small note attached to it.
“Hello, Mother-in-law. It’s almost a year that we had a bet but it seems you’re already failing. Anyway, I want to thank you for the money. Also, this elegant charity event was only possible because of your selfless contribution. Your $30. 5 trillion was indeed a motivation for me and I promise not to disappoint you, dear mother-in-law.
“Also, I did this Charity event in your name, so that when you die, there’ll be people singing your praises. I used $500,000 from the compensation money you gave me. I’m such a caring daughter-in-law, I know…”
Madam Caroline couldn’t finish reading. She didn’t dare to continue for fear that she’d die of a heart attack. Angry tears slid down her cheeks. All the money she had gathered all her life was $30.5 trillion. Now what was remaining in her account was $1.
“Ahhhhhh!!!” Madam Caroline roared to the ceiling. A stream of tears gushed down her pretty cheek. “I can’t forgive you, Jeslyn! I won’t!!”
At that moment, her phone rang. She picked it up and screamed, “What?!!”
The other person said a few words to her before she threw her phone in a fit of rage and burst into sardonic laughter.
“Lu Hao, you even had the guts to get that filthy helper pregnant. Hahaha… aaaahhh!!” She screamed and pulled her hair.
Madam Caroline was extremely bitter, to say the least. Yes, she knew that she orchestrated the situation where Lu Hao, her ex-husband, slept with a servant but she didn’t ask him to get her pregnant!
Now, not only is her children not willing to forgive her, she has another enemy to get rid of but before that, she formulated a plan to extort the main branch of the Lu family.
…
A few days later…
The long-awaited charity event that was the talk of the town, became a reality.
At one of the grand hotels in country M, the hotel’s parking lot saw fleets of Luxurious cars on this day.
Men and women of different ages arrived in their full glory as they made their way through the red carpet with reports and media personnel lining both sides of the carpet.
Shutter sounds of digital cameras accompanied by camera lights went on and off with every photo that was taken. The elaborate scene was a sight to behold!
Madam Caroline alighted from her car with all eyes on her. She loved the attention, this was what she lived for! But at this moment, her cold face knew no smile.
She darted her eyes around, in search of Jeslyn but she was nowhere on the red carpet.
Fashion journalists immediately flocked around her like they used to, asking about her elegant black dress and accessories. They wanted to know how much her jewelry, dress, shoes, and bag were wonothingrth.
Unlike before, she would reply to every question asked with a sweet smile, Madam Caroline wanted but to enter the hotel immediately.
While she was looking for an opening to leave, she heard a commotion from behind and all the reporters deserted her.
Looking behind her, the lady who was coming out of the car was Piper, followed by Kimberly. Before Madam Caroline’s expression could change, another car stopped by and the almighty daughter-in-law got down with a cute smile on her gorgeous face.
The three ladies who just arrived stole everyone’s attention as people sang their praises.
“Wow, I’m envious. The relationship between the Alpha Chaos’ sisters and wife is so harmonious.”
“Indeed, I never thought that family would be this blessed. The sisters are gorgeous and so is the wife.”
“Too bad there’s no mother, the picture would have been perfect.”
“I thought they had a mother?”
“There’s a difference between mothers…”
“Ah, I understand… don’t elaborate, she’s right behind us, I don’t want trouble.”
People whispered among themselves as they watched Jeslyn and her sisters-in-law walk down the red carpet.
“Mother-in-law, so pleased to meet you,” Jeslyn beamed.
Madam Caroline balled her hand in a tight fist, forcing herself to calm down.
“Sister-in-law, your mother is so nice, you can’t believe how much she spent on this event. I was moved to tears.” Jeslyn said to Piper.
“It’s surprising,” Piper replied flatly. She didn’t want to speak to her mother at all.
“Don’t be so cold, sister-in-law, who doesn’t make mistakes? After all, my mother-in-law is growing old, and sometimes her memory… you should understand.”
“Hahaha, sister-in-law, you’re indeed the best wife for my brother,” Piper chuckled.
“I think so too,” Jeslyn smiled.
Madam Caroline’s lips curled into a sneer when she heard that. Her thoughts were unknown. “Piper dear, you didn’t tell me–”
“Kim, step closer, we should take a picture together,” Piper cut her mother off and dragged Kimberly and Jeslyn to take a group picture.
“Mrs. Lu, you and your Sisters-in-law look beautiful,” one reporter stylishly shoved Madam Caroline out of the way to get in front of Jeslyn and Co.
Madam Caroline could feel her nails digging into her palm as she tried hard to restrain herself. Seeing the big innocent smile on Jeslyn’s face made her want to wipe it off, but she can’t do anything in public. Besides, Jeslyn should have her laugh now, her doom is nearer than she imagined. As for the reporters, they’ll regret the humiliation they caused her soon.
With that in mind, Madam Caroline stormed off and went into the hotel.
Jeslyn chuckled lightly when she saw that, but addressed the reporter in a friendly tone, “Everyone, including yourself, is beautiful,” Jeslyn replied.
The reporter blushed. “Thank you… please, can you answer a few questions about your fabulous dresses and jewelry?” She said to Jeslyn and her sisters-in-law.
Jeslyn was wearing a white knee-length off-shoulder dress. It was plain and simple but one would know that it cost a fortune when they saw it.
Piper wore a purple mermaid dress, embellished with beautiful pearls, making her look like a goddess.
Kimberly on the other hand, wore a segzy red dress and a long white overcoat.
The three pretty girl goddesses took photos for a while before they went into the hotel.
…
Inside the hall of the hotel, there were already tens of ladies and women either sitting on their seats or standing around and gisting with drinks in hand.
The interior of the hall looked nothing like a simple venue for a charity event, rather it gave the vibe of a huge celebration.
Jeslyn frowned slightly. This wasn’t the decoration she talked about with the event planners, so what’s this about?
Kimberly and Piper also looked confused but decided to not say a word since Jeslyn wasn’t talking either.
The front row had a seat with Piper’s name but Jeslyn’s and Kimberly’s seats couldn’t be found anywhere.
Seeing this, Jeslyn looked around the hall. There were a few faces she was familiar with. Faces like the ex–Mayor and new Mayor’s wives, Madam Lu’s, and the women from the Xu and Yu family.
She only had an issue with Madam Lu at Valen’s school but she believed the woman wouldn’t dare to cross her. The only person who would do such a thing would be none other than her mother-in-law.
At this junction, Jeslyn chuckled and shook her head. ‘It seems my mother-in-law wants a public display of *love*. PI’ll show you some *love*, dear mother-in-law.’ she smiled.
When Jeslyn and her Sisters-in-law entered the hall, most of the women and ladies were pleased to see them. Who wouldn’t want to make friends with the women from the second branch of the Lu family?
Beverly and Celestine smiled and started walking towards Jeslyn with their glass of drinks.
“Long time no see, dear sister,” Beverly smiled.
“How have you been?” Jeslyn chuckled and enveloped Beverly in a friendly hug before she greeted Celestine.
The other people felt this was a great chance to get close to Jeslyn, so they approached her one after the other to strike up a conversation.
Unlike before when they’d crowd around Madam Caroline, this time, those who were crowding around her were a few she considered to be of the same class as her, which made her hatred for Jeslyn hike up.
Madam Caroline loved the feeling of being the center of attention. She wants to be the name on everyone’s lips but Jeslyn was stealing her limelight and she h@ťěd it with every fiber of her being.
The event soon started but Madam Caroline couldn’t find peace, She was more worried about the luxury she was seeing.
This is her hard-earned money!
Although she made changes to everything that Jeslyn wanted, she was still not pleased with spending so much money. Thinking of that, Madam Caroline traveled down memory lane.
After Jeslyn sent her an invitation card and mocked her, Madam Caroline mourned for a while before she tracked down the event planner Jeslyn contacted, then she forced the company to change everything that Jeslyn told them to do, including the drinks.
Nobody knew that she had no money anymore, so everyone still sees her as the wealthiest woman in the world. Besides, her connections were more than her money.
How could Jeslyn be this wicked? Jeslyn’s husband stole her money and Jeslyn wasted the money on irrelevant things! The woman suddenly feels a migraine whenever she thinks of the money spent.
“Carol, isn’t that your daughter-in-law? She seems happy, why are you still tolerating her?” One of the women standing close to Madam Caroline asked with a frown.
“I wonder. I thought you said you’d take care of her. I don’t see you doing any of that,” another woman supported.
“It seems Carol has started to consider her–”
“Don’t spout nonsense,” Madam Caroline cut her friend off. “My son is still with her just to get back at me. Don’t worry, I told her before that she’d be sorry for crossing my path and today, she can’t escape!” Her eyes narrowed as she looked in Jeslyn’s direction.
The classy Madam Caroline didn’t want to create a scene in public but the happiness that was radiating from Jeslyn kept tempting her to throw this place into a chaotic ground.
While the woman was deep in thought, she didn’t see Jeslyn come to her. Not until Jeslyn tapped her arm and smiled sweetly, “Mother-in-law, the hostess needs your attention.”
The hostess was already on stage and was getting ready to start.
“How dare you touch me!” Madam Caroline raised her hand to slap her but Jeslyn was quick enough to grab the hand in mid–air.
Jeslyn’s face changed for a fleeting second before she smiled and caressed Madam Caroline’s wrist. Her fingers touched an object and when she looked, it was a beautiful bracelet.
“Hai, mother–in–law, you should have told me at home, no wonder you sounded angry. I’m sorry, ma!” Jeslyn left her mother-in-law’s hand and continue;
“I know that your bracelet is made of pure gold and diamonds. It was a gift from my husband but mother-in-law, don’t you think that my husband will be sad if you give it up for auction?”
Didn’t Madam Caroline gather friends because she used her husband’s name? Then Jeslyn will stripe her off everything using her husband’s name.
Madam Caroline gasped and her eyes widened in horror. This– this–
Celestine, Beverly, Kimberly, and Piper couldn’t help clapping in their minds at Jeslyn’s shamelessness.
Before Madam Caroline could speak, Jeslyn grabbed her hand and started taking off the bracelet. “… But don’t worry mother-in-law, I’ll tell my husband that you did it for a good course. He will surely get you another one.”
Madam Caroline’s eyes widened. She tried to pull her hand but Jeslyn wouldn’t let her.
“I bet it would sell and believe me, the orphans will love the money you’d be contributing to their lives. They’d pray for long life and prosperity for you,” Jeslyn was saying all that amidst smiles as she aggressively pulled the bracelet off Madam Caroline’s wrist.
Jeslyn looked behind her at Piper and said, “Please, add it to the items to be auctioned.”
“Right away,” Piper replied and sent the item to the hostess.
Some women couldn’t help smiling and getting excited to buy the bracelet once it is being auctioned. That bracelet is the most expensive bracelet of the century.