"What are you taking pictures of?"

Celeste suddenly showed up right in front of the reporter, scaring her so badly she lost her balance and landed on the ground with a thud. She stammered out,

"I-I didn't really take anything..."

"Nothing? Then let me have a look." Celeste held out her hand.

Instinctively, the young reporter hid her DSLR behind her back, glanced at Celeste, and scrambled to her feet, trying to bolt.

"You're snapping pics of Miss Shaw, huh?" Celeste was quick-she grabbed the strap of the camera and leaned in, tone low and serious. "Don't run, unless you want me to call the cops."

"I'm not running, I'm not! I'll delete it, okay?" The reporter looked like she was about to cry.

She knew messing with the Shaws was asking for trouble.

But Celeste just gave her a knowing smile.

"No need to delete anything. Honestly, what's the big deal about the second daughter of the Shaw family buying stuff? You think that's newsworthy? Since you're into scoops, how about we make a deal?"

*****

Night had fallen, and Yannburgh was glowing under neon lights.

By the time Ethan came home, Celeste had already finished dinner. She was in the bedroom, humming while picking jewelry to go with her dress. Spending other people's money always felt great-spending money that once belonged to someone who hated her? Even better.

The look on Sophie's face when Celeste handed her the credit card earlier today-that pained expression was just priceless.

"Where've you been all day? Didn't see you at home."

Celeste casually asked when she heard Ethan come in.

But he shot her a cold look. "Don't ask about things that don't concern you."

Her good mood evaporated in an instant. If this had been the old her, she would've raised hell.

She held herself back, took a suit out of the shopping bag, and said, "Fine, I won't ask. But can I tell you what I did today? I bought you a suit. Try it on."

"I'm not interested."

Ethan didn't even look at it. He just rolled his wheelchair toward the bathroom, like he had no patience for her.

That did it. Celeste grabbed the armrest and yanked him to a stop. "Like it or not, you're trying it on."

Ethan glanced at her hand, then slowly looked up at her. "Why?"

"Why? Because I'm your wife. I got you an outfit, and you know what they say, married couples-"

She paused midway, realizing that might not have been the best direction. Ethan was giving her a strange look too.

She cleared her throat and changed the tune, "Anyway, we're a team, right?"

"A team?" He raised an eyebrow and gave her a skeptical look.

"I picked that suit to match my gown. We're going to that wedding together, and it's the perfect chance to show everyone how tight we are. We'll look amazing together, crush them with our looks, and shut down all the gossip. Not to mention, stomp on the shady schemes some folks might be cooking up. Isn't that what being a team means?"

Her words were part sincere, part calculated.

She really didn't like how Ethan's birth mother was trying to mess with him using such underhanded tricks. So yeah, she wanted to have his back. That was the honest part. The not-so-honest part was she needed his help putting on a show at the wedding to gain some credibility in their social circle.

Who knew how much of it Ethan believed, but he eventually said,

"Leave it there. I'll try it on later."

Three days later.

The Larsons had reserved the top floor of a five-star hotel in Yannburgh. Most couples would've plastered wedding photos and signs all over the entrance, but the Larsons went a totally different route-super low-key. It wasn't until the elevator doors slid open and they stepped into the banquet area that the festive vibe slowly kicked in.

Celeste followed the Shaws out of the elevator, with a servant quietly pushing Ethan's wheelchair right behind them.

She glanced toward the reception entrance. From the corner of her eye, that figure in a tailored tux slowly came into focus-tall, poised, and irritatingly familiar.

"Grandpa, Mrs. Shaw, I've been waiting for you."

The moment she heard Oliver's voice up close, Celeste froze for a second.

It was the first time she stood as an outsider looking at the man she'd once loved for three years.

That custom black tux hugging his frame perfectly, with lilies pinned at the chest and a "Groom" tag-it hit her. That was the exact suit she had designed and ordered for him when they'd gotten engaged in Luminara.

The thought made her want to laugh.

His fiancée hadn't even been gone that long, and here he was, rushing to marry someone new. She used to think he was this devoted guy, but he couldn't even be bothered to get a new suit. Reusing the old one? Really? Ridiculous.

After greeting everyone from the Shaw family, Oliver's gaze finally landed on her, puzzled. "And this is...?"

Honestly, it wasn't shocking he didn't recognize her. After all, aside from a brief meeting at the wedding when she married into the Shaws three years ago, she'd pretty much vanished-thanks to jail time.

Grace let out a sharp laugh, eyes dripping with disdain. She looked like she was just waiting for Celeste to embarrass herself.

But Oliver's brows were already pulling together. Judging by the hesitation in the Shaw family's expressions, he'd probably pieced it together. Now he was clearly regretting opening his mouth. A total social misfire.The Shaw family had managed to stand strong in Yannburgh for decades by keeping a tight lid on their public image. Everyone knew they were always cautious and proper-except for that one scandal three years ago. Ever since Celeste went to prison for murder, no matter how hard the Shaws tried to bury the whispers, people still gossiped behind their backs. Her name basically became something no one dared to mention out loud.

Celeste caught on quickly to all the unspoken tension and side-eyes in the room. A brief, cold smile tugged at her lips before she stepped forward and offered her hand to Oliver with calm confidence.

"Nice to see you again. We met at my wedding to Ethan. You haven't changed much, still looking sharp. Big day today, huh? You look quite the part."

Her gaze was steady, clear, not a hint of discomfort in sight. She even tipped her chin slightly, giving off a prideful aura that made people instinctively take her seriously.

People were stunned-not just outsiders, but even the Shaw family. Everyone knew the eldest daughter-in-law had always been timid and easily rattled. Back then she could barely say hello without stammering. Now? It was like she'd walked out of prison a completely different person.

Oliver was caught off guard too. Something about her eyes felt oddly familiar, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He quickly smiled and played along.

"My bad. Must be my poor memory. I'll owe you a toast later to make up for that."

Their casual back-and-forth smoothed over the awkward moment seamlessly. Just as Mr. Shaw walked in, he gave Celeste a slight nod, his eyes full of approval.

Celeste responded with a faint smile and a quick nod. As her gaze flickered back to Oliver for a split second, a trace of sorrow swept across her face.

Ethan sat off to the side in his wheelchair, watching her every move. He caught that look-captured every shift in her expression. His eyes darkened just a little.

The ceremony itself was minimal. No speeches, no live music-just the emcee quietly announcing the ring exchange.

Amidst the silent audience, Celeste stood her ground, phone raised, recording the moment. On her screen, Oliver and April Anniston stood at the altar, slipping rings onto each other's fingers.

Oliver looked like he couldn't wait to wrap up this whole ceremony. As soon as the rings were exchanged, he grabbed April's hand and dragged her offstage to greet the guests, almost like he was trying to cover something up.

Meanwhile, Celeste slipped into a quiet corner, her face blank as she hit "send" on a video she'd just filmed on her phone. Lowering her voice, she muttered into the mic, "I've sent over the first half. Once the final payment hits, you'll get the rest."

Minutes later, her phone chimed with a notification-payment received. She checked her balance, then gave a faint smirk and sent over the second half.

Oliver wanted to play both sides-be shady and still look like the good guy? Dream on. He thought a simple wedding could fool people into believing he was still the heartbroken, romantic guy who'd been "searching" for his missing fiancée? Please.

Nearby, a couple of guests strolled past, whispering among themselves.

"This wedding's way too low-key for the Larson family."

"Yeah, but remember? Oliver's 'missing' fiancée just died. One minute he's offering five million on TV to find her, next minute he's getting hitched? If this was some over-the-top celebration, people would call it out."

"Talk about bad taste. And what's the rush, anyway? Taking a risk with this many people watching."

"He might not have had a choice. Word is the bride's already three months pregnant. If they don't do it now, she won't fit into the dress."

"For real?"

"Totally. My friend's one of the bridesmaids..."

The gossip floated over to Celeste. Her fingers tightened around her wine glass as she stared at April smiling and toasting across the room, cold fire glinting in her eyes.

Three months ago. That was exactly when she and Oliver were supposed to be finalizing their engagement.

Across the room, April-draped in her wedding gown-held Oliver's arm while charming the Shaw family.

Celeste slipped her phone away and strolled over with her glass in hand.

As she neared, April's sugary voice drifted into earshot.

"I heard Grandpa loves Lior Kyre's paintings. I actually wanted to gift one for his birthday, but I was still in Viremont back then. When I found out you'd be here today, I made sure to bring it with me."

"There aren't many real originals left," she continued. "The most famous one is the Pine Landscape, but unfortunately, almost everything on the market is fake now. The original's been missing for years."

She and Oliver shared a loaded glance.

"That's the one," Oliver said proudly, wrapping an arm around her. "April pulled a lot of strings for this one. Took her half a year to track it down from a real estate guy in Marisport."

"Really?" Mr. Shaw perked up. "Can't wait to take a look."

As Celeste walked up, someone was already unrolling the painting. Excited guests quickly gathered around for a peek.

But the moment the scroll was revealed, Celeste froze-her nails digging into her palm.

From Marisport? Hardly. That painting had been hanging in her dad's study for as long as she could remember. Just one of many in his collection.

Mr. Shaw studied the scroll closely, his expression growing serious.

"It's the real deal, Grandpa, I swear," Oliver declared, confident as ever. "If this is fake, then there isn't a genuine one left out there."

A few of the more cultured guests nodded in agreement.

"Grandpa, can I take a look too?" Celeste spoke up at last, her voice clear and steady-cutting clean through the crowd's murmurs like a blade.