Chapter 11
Hayes got back to the country at 3 AM. After two hours of sleep, he headed straight to the wedding venue.
The sapphire necklace was tucked safely in his suit jacket–he’d surprise Lennox with it after they exchanged vows.
Suited up and styled, he suddenly wanted nothing more than to see Lennox, to see how she looked in her wedding dress.
He walked straight to the bridal suite, but security stopped him at the door.
“Mr. Hayes, your mother–in–law specifically said the bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. Please don’t put us in a tough
spot.”
The guard looked apologetic but stood firm.
Hayes‘ jaw ticked with irritation. Figuring he’d see her soon enough at the altar, he swallowed his annoyance and walked away.
According to schedule, he entered first to wait.
Walking from the side entrance toward the main stage, he unexpectedly ran into Lennox’s father.
The man’s face lit up when he spotted Hayes, hurrying over with a big smile. “Hayes! We’re family now. Looking forward to working together.”
Hayes‘ expression darkened.
He clearly remembered Lennox saying she absolutely did not want this man at their wedding.
“What are you doing here?”
The father’s smile faltered, but he tried to play it off. “It’s my daughter’s wedding day. As her father, I should give her away.”
“Give her away?”
Hayes snorted. “Len hates your guts. You think she’d agree to let you walk her down the aisle? Don’t make me laugh.” He didn’t mince words. “Leave. I’ll arrange for someone else to escort her.”
But the father wasn’t budging.
He knew damn well Hayes would never agree to switching brides, so from the day Lennox had agreed, he’d planned to keep it secret until the last
moment. Pull a fast one.
With all these elite families here today, Hayes wouldn’t dare make a scene.
Besides, Raina had told him Hayes felt differently about her–maybe he already had feelings for her deep down.
“Hayes, I’m still Len’s father.” The man forced a smile. “If I’m not here for her wedding, people will say there’s family drama, that we’re estranged.”
Hayes hated being threatened. His voice went ice cold: “So what? With me here, who’s gonna run their mouth?”
He stepped closer, presence intimidating. “You better leave now before I make you.”
“She agreed to it herself!” The father interrupted frantically, sounding righteous. “I asked her, and she said yes! You think I could’ve gotten in here otherwise? Isn’t that proof enough?”
Hayes froze, frowning hard.
He hadn’t gotten any message from Lennox objecting. Maybe… she really had agreed?
15:19
A Billion–Dollar Goodbye: Too Late for Second Chances, Mr. Ex
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Chapter 11
After a moment’s hesitation, he gave in: “Fine. But if you cause any drama during this wedding, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
He turned and walked toward the altar.
When the wedding march began, Hayes stood on stage, his heart racing unexpectedly.
He and Lennox had known each other for over twenty years, grown up together, got engaged at eighteen.
Now he was finally marrying her. Not because of some arrangement, but because this was what he wanted.
In the distance, the ballroom doors slowly opened. The father walked in with someone in a wedding dress. The white veil covered the bride’s face. Hayes watched that familiar yet somehow strange figure, sensing something was off.
But this was his wedding, his venue that he’d personally arranged. What could be wrong?
He watched her approach step by step, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
Finally, the father placed the bride’s hand in his palm, saying solemnly: “I’m entrusting my daughter to you. Take good care of her.”
Hayes pushed down his unease, nodded, then turned to look at his bride, unable to suppress a smile.
The bride slowly lifted her head and raised her hand to lift the veil.
The moment he saw that face, Hayes felt like he’d been struck by lightning–his entire body frozen in place!
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