In that instant, a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd, followed by an immediate outcry.

"W-What? Did Zoe actually hire someone to stand in for her at her own wedding?"

"Holy! Has Zoe lost her mind? She is basically dragging the Sorenson family's reputation through the dirt!"

Cassie and Jeremy's faces drained of all color following the public exposure.

Mom was absolutely livid. She pointed a finger directly at Cassie and bellowed, "You Sutherlands truly have some nerve! Zoe is truly despicable!

"How dare you treat my son's wedding—the most important event of his life—like a game! You've all gone too far! Did you think the Sorenson family would just sit back and take this?"

Dad, his eyes bloodshot with rage, hurried onto the stage and stood protectively in front of me. He then addressed the Sutherland family in a freezing tone, saying, "Waylon and Zoe's wedding is off! There will be no further ties between the Sorenson and Sutherland families from today onward!"

Upon seeing that the alliance was on the brink of collapse, Jeremy grew anxious. "Zoe was just being immature and messing around, Waylon. I'll have her come back here immediately to apologize to you!"

I scoffed and said, "I'll give her another chance, then. If you can get her on the phone this instant, I'll let it all slide."

I leaned in as I noticed Maisie's hand tightening around mine and whispered, "You can rest assured that Zoe isn't going to show up."

Jeremy, as if clinging to his last hope, took out his phone and repeatedly dialed Zoe's number, only to keep hearing the same cold automated voice. "I'm sorry, but the person you're trying to reach is unavailable."

I spoke in a deliberately aggrieved tone, saying, "It seems like Ms. Sutherland has no intention of returning."

I then turned to the security and said, "Please escort these irrelevant people out."

Cassie and Jeremy were forcibly escorted out by security, while numerous reporters excitedly shoved their cameras right up to their faces.

Dad gripped my hand firmly without demanding an explanation. "Your mother and I will stand behind you, regardless of your choices, Waylon."

Mom, on the other hand, firmly patted my shoulder—a gesture that warmed my heart so much that I almost broke down right then and there.

I then noticed a comment in the comment section.

"In the original story, Waylon's insistence on marrying Zoe led to a fallout with his parents. Zoe eventually drove the Sorenson family into bankruptcy, causing his parents to age decades in one night and commit suicide by jumping from a building. Their current situation just makes me want to burst into tears."

I lowered my gaze, masking the emotions in my eyes. I decided to show them no mercy since they showed no goodwill at first. I immediately called my assistant once the wedding ceremony was over. "I need you to end all cooperation with the Sutherland family this instant and withdraw every bit of capital we invested."

In the end, the news that I changed brides at the wedding and married Maisie didn't circulate immediately. It seemed like the Sutherland family had moved quickly to contain the news and stabilize their share price.

I rushed to register the marriage with Maisie once the wedding ceremony was over, and once it was done, Maisie mentioned that she had to leave the country for a few days to handle some affairs.

Zoe, on the other hand, was completely unaware of what had happened.

She had enjoyed two leisurely days with Jaiden at a villa on the outskirts of the city before belatedly sensing that something was off; after all, at this point, I would have already thrown a fit and dragged her back, yet now there was no movement at all.

She mindlessly swiped through her phone, not reacting even when Jaiden called out to her. She sneered and tossed her phone aside, saying, "I don't buy it. Waylon is definitely playing hard to get."

Jaiden asked tentatively, "Is it possible that Waylon is truly upset this time, Zoe? You should probably head back and smooth things over. I'd hate for you to ruin your relationship with the Sorenson family because of me."

Zoe pinched Jaiden's chin, looking utterly condescending. "You want me to go make it up to him? He's hopelessly in love with me, so he can't possibly live without me, especially after being together for more than two decades.

"He'll come crawling back to me within three days, giving me money and begging me to marry him. He's clearly too spoiled."

It was then that the comment section popped up. "I'm laughing so hard right now. Is the female lead really that dumb? I mean, she doesn't even realize that the Sorenson family has withdrawn all their capital. Sutherland Group is about to go down in flames!"

"Oh, my God! Your entire family is falling apart, yet you're still acting so smug!"

I didn't expect to encounter Zoe and Jaiden—those two wretched nuisances—at Dad's business banquet. Zoe spotted me right away, though her face fell and turned grim when she saw me speaking to another woman.

Upon noticing me, Jaiden subtly supported Zoe's waist and murmured gently, "You're probably tired of walking, aren't you, Zoe? Your feet must be aching, and it's so stuffy in here."

Zoe gently held his hand, though she kept stealing glances at me. She was probably expecting me to make the first move.

I didn't meet her expectations, though, as I didn't even spare her so much as a sidelong glance.

Zoe ultimately lost her patience. She walked straight to our table, slammed her wine glass onto it, and asked, "Are you mad because I had someone else stand in for me for the wedding, Waylon?"

I didn't even spare her a glance and stood up to leave.

Zoe continued, "I only missed the wedding because Jaiden was ill. I didn't show up because it was an emergency."

Jaiden stepped in front of me, cutting off my exit. "Please don't be mad at Zoe, Waylon. It's my own fault for being so sickly and ruining your wedding…"

Upon hearing that, Zoe laughed mockingly at me. "I never realized that you were so petty, Waylon. It's just a wedding ceremony; it's not like we're legally married. Do you really have to conspire with your father to withdraw capital from Sutherland Group just to make me give in?"

She reached out to grasp my arm as she spoke, as though she had every right to do so.

I gave her a cold look and shook off her hand. "Please show some restraint, Ms. Sutherland. Didn't your parents tell you what happened at the wedding?"

Zoe was stunned. "What are you talking about?"

Jaiden grabbed my wrist, looking panicked. "Please don't do this, Waylon. Zoe really does care about you."

He was acting like a peacemaker, but his grip was brutal, his fingernails digging deep into my arm.

I took a deep breath from the sudden sting.

Those in the comment sections went wild. "Damn! What's up with the male lead? How come he's already making his move?"

I violently shook him off, snapping, "Get lost!"

Jaiden yelped and fell hard to the floor, looking utterly disheveled.

Zoe, eyes blazing with rage, rushed to help Jaiden to his feet. She then yelled, "Do you not know that Jaiden is in poor health, Waylon? You'd better apologize to him this instant!"

I merely scoffed and instructed the security guards rushing toward the commotion, "Get these two out of here at once!"

Zoe's expression turned livid. "You'd better not assume that you can attract my attention by doing this, Waylon! I'll go and register the marriage with you in a few days if you behave yourself!"

Those in the comment section instantly responded.

"What the hell is wrong with this female lead? Isn't she supposed to be in love with the male lead? Why is she acting so incredibly full of herself?"

"I'm laughing my head off here! She has no idea that the supporting male lead had already gotten the marriage certificate with the big shot! She's actually still expecting him to come sweet-talk her!"

I smiled faintly. "You want to get a marriage certificate with me? I'm already married, though."

Zoe's smile immediately stiffened. She stood there in a daze, her brow furrowed deeply. "What on earth are you talking about?"

She moved forward and asked in a haughty tone, "You're saying that you're married, huh? Where is your wife, then? Why isn't she by your side, Waylon?"

I let out a contemptuous smirk. "You see, my wife is away on a business trip—unlike some lazy, good-for-nothing who can't survive without a man."

Jaiden's eyes welled up with tears before Zoe could lash out. "How could you say that about Zoe? She works herself to the bone for Sutherland Group every single day. You're now making up lies just to hurt her instead of supporting her! How can you be so heartless, Waylon?"

Zoe looked at me with disappointment and fury after Jaiden's deliberate pause. "Do you see how petty and sharp-tongued you've become, Waylon? Who else would want you besides me? You'd better not play hard to get anymore—it's just making me despise you more!"