CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER 1: I WILL MARRY YOU

Mid-summer, June.

A Gothic church surrounded by rose bushes, with a vast lawn behind it, hosting a grand wedding.

White drapes, colorful balloons, golden sunlight...

Getting married at Aethel Chapel is every woman’s dream.

The guests are bustling and seated, but as the time draws near, the bride is nowhere to be seen.

In the dressing room at the back.

A lavishly dressed middle-aged woman tentatively asked, "Shane, do you know where she is?"

The man addressed, with half-closed eyes, sat in front of a dressing mirror, spinning the silver ring on his index finger.

He wore a white suit, with a boutonniere on his chest labeled "Groom."

The man’s surname is Warner, full name Shane Warner.

As the groom, he seemed indifferent to the bride’s disappearance, not anxious at all. Facing his mother’s question, he lazily responded, "How would I know?"

Helen Holloway approached, saying, "I even suspect you two are playing a trick. Mom knows you don’t want this wedding, but you must think of the bigger picture. Please call Laura to come over, and whatever the issue, we can discuss it after the wedding."

Shane Warner replied lowly, "Discuss? What’s there to discuss after the wedding is done?"

Wallace Warner got up angrily, saying sternly, "This wedding is happening today, without Laura Yates, find any woman to marry!"

"Sir..."

Wallace Warner stormed out, with Helen Holloway following closely.

As they exited, no one noticed the sneaky girl hiding behind the wall.

Shane Warner sat alone, feeling a rare peace around his ears.

This marriage was a farce to begin with. He couldn’t stop it from happening, but he could decide how to end it.

Hearing a slight noise by the door, Shane Warner didn’t turn his head, raised his eyes to see from the mirror the door being pushed open from the outside, revealing half of the girl’s face from the gap.

The girl’s gaze met his unerringly in the mirror, no longer sneaky, she awkwardly chuckled and walked into the room.

Shane Warner swiveled his chair, with his long legs crossed, and regarded the girl indifferently without much emotion.

The girl pursed her lips, breaking the silence: "I heard everything outside just now."

"Hmm?" He merely uttered a sound, as his gaze seemed to silently ask: And so?

The girl took a deep breath, with a look of determination, said in one go: "Continue the wedding, I’ll marry you!"

Before Shane Warner could respond, the girl introduced herself: "My name is Audrey Sutton, ’Audrey’ as in the one from ancient literature, with artistic grace, no bad habits, I understand music, chess, calligraphy and painting, speak five languages, understand nine dialects, and can cook a bit,"

Shane Warner was stunned, staring at the girl for a few seconds, then asked, "High school student?"

Audrey Sutton frowned, held up two fingers and said, "Sophomore in college!"

Shane Warner: "Just twenty?"

The girl retorted dissatisfied, "Not that young!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shane Warner’s gaze dropped to her chest: "Not very big either."

Audrey Sutton blushed, instinctively puffed out her chest, then thought to herself, so this is the kind of person the man she has a crush on is!

"Why are you in such a hurry to get married at twenty?"

Audrey Sutton mumbled, explaining, "My family is pushing for marriage! They want me to marry an old geezer! I’d rather marry you, at least... at least you’re quite handsome!"

Shane Warner laughed, noticing Audrey Sutton blushed even more.

Audrey Sutton, fearing to miss this rare opportunity and afraid Shane Warner wouldn’t agree, hurriedly added, "Anyway, you don’t want to get married, and neither do I. Let’s just help each other out; after marriage, I won’t interfere with your life. I’m independent and not clingy, nor will I take your money. If you’re worried, we can write an agreement now!"

Shane Warner didn’t answer; he took out his phone and dialed as he walked towards the window.

Audrey Sutton didn’t know what he meant; is he agreeing or not?

She glanced down at her own chest, wondering if it was because he disliked her small chest?

As she moved closer to fight for herself again, Shane Warner hung up the phone.

Turning his head, he saw her standing behind him, Shane Warner paused slightly, and then said, "Wait here, the stylist will be over soon."

Audrey Sutton: "Eh?"

Shane Warner looked at his watch: "You have half an hour."

After speaking, Shane Warner walked straight out.

Audrey Sutton stood dumbfounded in the dressing room, gradually realizing she had "proposed" successfully?