Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Kevin looked shocked. “Well, how am I supposed to do that?”

Stephanie glanced over at Vincent in his wheelchair. “Well, since that marriage deal didn’t say who I gotta marry, I pick Vincent.”

Everybody was shaking their heads like she lost her mind. Vincent didn’t even dig girls. Was Stephanie setting herself up to look like a joke?

Despite his power, influence, and noble demeanor, everyone thought Vincent was not… fully functional, Marrying him would mean Stephanie’d be all alone anyway. Everyone thought Stephanie was out of her mind.

The room got all quiet and creepy. The only noise was Vincent’s fingers tapping on his wheelchair.

Under the bright chandelier lights, his eyes were shining like amber, almost like they weren’t real

Suddenly, he paused. Looking towards Stephanie with a quirk of his defined brow, he spoke in a cool voice, “I agree.”

Zane flicked a look of surprise, but it was gone in a flash

Everyone’s jaw hit the floor.

‘Didn’t he just say he wasn’t into it? What’s up with the quick U-turn?’ Everyone was bugging

Victory t w i l e d in Stephanie’s eyes. She looked down and bit her lip to hide her grin

Vincent’s eyes fixed on her, then softly he said, “Come here.”

She walked over to him, all sweet and quiet.

Vincent peeped her sun-kissed wrist and slid off his amethyst bracelet to put on her. He grabbed her hand and tugged her closer. The bracelet was a personal item, a symbol of Vincent’s status. By giving it to Stephanie, he acknowledged her.

Back in her previous life, Vincent gave her the bracelet too. But she was pretty much checked out then-couldn’t feel how warm Vincent was. But now, she could feel the warmth of Vincent. His palm was warm and solid, enveloping her small hand completely, giving her a deep sense of security.

Stephanie’s heart throbbed wildly, and her cheeks instantly flushed with a rosy hue.

Vincent throw a look at Douglas, who was still on stage looking gloomy, and said, “Get over here!”

Douglas about choked and stumbled Vincent’s way, mumbling, “I’m sorry, Uncle Vincent.” Then he turned to Stephanie, “Steph, don’t be mad at me, and don’t make fun of my uncle, okay?”

Stephanie said firmly, “I’m not mad, and I would never make a joke out of Vincent.”

When Stephanie called his name, Vincent cracked a smile. But when he looked at Douglas, he went ice-cold. “She’s aunt-in-law to you.”

Fiancée to auntie? Douglas thought Stephanie was just making things hard for him on purpose, preferring to marry a disabled man over forgiving him, demoting him to the status of a nephew.

All his plans were ruined, and there was nothing he could do to salvage the situation now. He just had to brace himself and mumble, “Auntie.”

Vincent gave a satisfied hum, squeezing Stephanie’s hand. “Do you want to say anything else?” His voice was deep and gave her the chills-in a good

way.

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Chapfer 4

How had she been so indifferent to him in her past life? Probably because she was set on her savior, the naturally shut everyone else out, or maybe it was because she was too focused on whichever project she was working on, always plotting how to steal secrets.

Because, on Vincent’s side, there was a hacker who was a match for her. Even though she always came out on top, it often felt like her opponent had let

her win.

Pulling herself together, she told Douglas, “What’s done is done. Just take good care of my sister. Tonight’s engagement party should be yours and Florence’s. You guys can exchange rings now.”

Douglas and Florence were shook.

Everyone else was impressed by how cool Stephanie was being.

She gave Vincent’s hand a soft squeeze and whispered, “That’s all I have to say.”

Vincent felt a tingle go right to his heart. He swallowed. He looked at Austin with respect. “Mr. Hayes, can Stephanie and I leave now? We have something to say.”

Austin snapped out of it. “Uh, sure. Do your thing.”

Kevin let out a chuckle. “Take all night if you need!”

Stephanie had to bite her chook to not c a c k up at the way Kevin and Austin were acting

Vincent let go of her hand. “Let’s go.”

“All right,” Stephanie said, wheeling Vincent toward the exit. She didn’t forget to say to Zane, “Could you please fetch my purse from the makeup room?”

“Got it,” Zane replied.

As they left, everybody else started buzzing again.

Ellen shot a puzzled look at Kevin. “Is our granddaughter-in-law now our daughter-in-law?”

Kevin stroked his beard, wearing a big grin. “Looks like it. You’re stoked, right?”

Ellen was all smiles. “Totally. Got another daughter-in-law. But what about Douglas and Florence?”

Kevin cut her off. “Call them engaged and leave it. This is too awkward. Let’s dismiss our guests and head back to the Fletcher residence.”

The guests left, but the pictures and videos were already doing the rounds online.

In the back of a sleek black Maybach, Vincent motioned to Stephanie, “Come closer,”

Stephanie moved in and sat right on his lap.

Vincent’s eyebrow went up. “I said closer, not this close.”

Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head with a smile. “You gotta be more specific.”

Vincent narrowed his eyes. “You’re the one who leaked those photos and clips?”

Stephanie didn’t s k i p a beat. “Yep. If they’re bold enough to snap them, I’m game to put them on blast. I’m not down with playing scared or letting

cheaters slide.”

Chapter 4

‘d you pick me, though? Vincent asked.

“Because you’re the real deal,” she said, dead serious.

Vincent pressed on, “What’s so great about me?”

“You’ve got it all,” she shot back.

He laughed a little. “Even with my bum legs?”

Stephanie recalled her previous life, her soul had seen that Vincent’s legs had healed. She had never considered healing Vincent, so she never really checked his pulse. But he sure had a talent for hiding it, always sitting in that wheelchair without giving any hint of being okay. She figured if Douglas knew she could heal, he’d definitely ask her to harm Vincent, but she wouldn’t ever do that. She learned medicine to save lives, not to take them. That was the line she wouldn’t cross.

Stephanie wasn’t sure if Vincent had made a full comeback, so she grabbed his hand, feeling for a pulse.

Vincent’s circulation was good, and his lower limbs should be fine. There must be a reason he’s keeping his recovery a secret.

She figured if he wanted it secret, she’d play along. But she felt this weird hot and cold vibe in him that could mess him up bad later on

In her past life, Vincent hadn’t died from this, probably getting it checked out when he felt ill, but now she wouldn’t let anyone hurt him. This time around, she was determined to repay her lifesaver!

Watching Stephanie deep in thought, Vincent felt Stephanie might be regretting her decision-after all, who’d willingly marry someone disabled? “She must’ve snagged me in a huff, and now she’s thinking twice,’ he figured.

“People care if their other half can’t walk,” Vincent just threw out there.

Stephanie felt an ache in her heart. Vincent must have lived a hard life, enduring so much ridicule and mockery before his recovery. Tears sprang up as she leaned on him, tuning into the strong rhythm of his heart. “You’re awesome, you know. Even though you are in a wheelchair, you’re top notch. Vincent, you’re my pick.”

Vincent couldn’t help but grin. He looked down at her, innocent as a button, and lifted her chin gently. “You know, it ain’t too late to bail”

“I’m sticking to my guns. No regrets,” Stephanie said, her gaze firm on Vincent’s.

Vincent tapped on the driver’s seat. “Zane, hit up City Hall”

Zane did a double-take. ‘That fast?”

“Are we going to get our marriage license?” Stephanie’s eyes widened.

Vincent just hummed, all cool. “I’ll give you one last chance to back out, if you have doubts…”

Stephanie pressed her finger to his lips, stopping him. “Vincent, I have no regrets. But before we sign that document, can I stamp something on you?”

Vincent was surprised. “What kind of stamp?”

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