Chapter 413: Wedding Plan

The butler informed them that breakfast was ready, and everyone headed to the dining table. Aeldric sat at the head chair. Mallory sat to his left, with Collin and his wife next to her.

On the other side, Justin was about to sit on Aeldric’s right. Knowing Meira would be too nervous to sit next to Aeldric, Justin decided to take that seat instead. Before sitting down, he pulled out the chair beside him.

Grace thought it was meant for her and was about to step forward when Justin said, "Meira, have a seat."

Meira sat in the chair he pulled out, and Justin took his own seat—completely ignoring Grace.

Grace felt utterly humiliated, but kept her composure and sat in the chair next to Meira.

Justin focused on Meira, serving her a few things. Somehow, he could guess what she liked—or maybe she simply wasn’t a picky eater.

Grace was displeased to see Meira sitting between her and Justin—and even more annoyed that he was paying such close attention to her, treating her like someone important, while he didn’t even spare a glance for the woman he was supposed to marry in a few days.

Grace thought bitterly.

Aeldric began, "So this Sunday would be better for the wedding. It will be held here at the Riverdale estate, with only the most important guests invited. What do you think, Collin?"

"That seems like a great idea. The Riverdale estate is the most beautiful place for a wedding," Collin replied. "Everyone still remembers Mallory’s wedding back then."

Aeldric smiled. "True," he said, then looked at Justin. "What do you think, Aiden?"

"Do as you wish," Justin replied, as if it wasn’t his wedding they were planning, but someone else’s.

"Grace, do you have anything to say?" Aeldric asked.

"Of course not, Mr. Riverdale. If Aiden is fine with the arrangement, then I have no objections either," Grace replied with a practiced smile.

Justin’s indifference, she thought, was simply his way of showing acceptance.

"Today we’ll start all the preparations, and it will be done by tomorrow," Aeldric added. "The invitations will be sent out by tomorrow evening."

"Mr. Riverdale, even if you send the invitations at the last moment, everyone will rush back here—even if it means leaving important matters behind," Collin chuckled. "Who would dare ignore an invitation from you?"

"True," the old man replied, clearly delighted.

Meanwhile, Justin’s focus remained on his meal—and then on Meira.

Once she was finished, Justin asked, "Are you done?"

She nodded.

"Alright. You can go back to your room. I’m leaving for work," he informed her.

She looked at him, as if wanting to ask something. Justin understood and added, "I’ll be back in the evening. I’ll send something for you with Noah. Make sure to use it."

She nodded like an obedient girl and quietly returned to her room.

Once she was gone, Justin stood up to leave as well.

"You should spend some time with Grace—after all, you’re going to marry her," Aeldric said.

"We agreed on the marriage, not on what I should or shouldn’t do," Justin replied and walked away.

Collin and his wife were a little taken aback, but Grace quickly stood up. "I’ll go see him off," she said, hurrying after Justin.

"I’m sure once they’re married, Aiden will have more time for Grace," Aeldric said with a chuckle. "Young blood—always focused on work."

The Hartz couple smiled in agreement.

"I know my daughter will melt his heart once they are together," Grace’s mother said. "She’s patient and understanding."

The others agreed and quickly brushed aside how Justin had behaved.

"Aiden," Grace called out as she caught up with him, but Justin didn’t slow his pace, nor did he respond.

Just as he was about to get into the car, she hurried forward and blocked his path to the door.

He glared at her, only to hear her say, "Sorry... this was the only way I could stop you."

His expression turned colder. No one was allowed to block his path—especially not someone irrelevant.

"Today, you have to come with me to get our wedding clothes. I’ve already invited the topmost designer for it," she said. "When will you be free?"

"Never," he replied flatly. "Now get lost."

She hadn’t expected a warm response, but his reaction was far harsher than she imagined. There wasn’t an ounce of regard in his voice. He had been so sweet and caring toward his sister, but here, he was completely different—as if he didn’t even know the meaning of treating a woman with basic respect.

"I’m going to be your wife. Is this how you treat me?" she asked.

"If you keep crossing my boundaries, this is exactly what you’ll get in return," Justin said coldly. "Now move—before I stop asking nicely."

"Or what?" she challenged, confident he wouldn’t dare harm her.

Justin’s gaze turned icy. "I’m being patient for a reason. But once that reason is fulfilled... you’ll regret every way you tried to mess with me."

His grave expression sent a chill down her spine. She could tell—he wasn’t joking.

Quietly, she stepped aside but muttered, "If you won’t come to me... then I’ll have to come to you."

"Try it," Justin said and sat in his car. The moment the door shut, the driver felt a chill run down his spine. He could sense the angry vibes radiating from his boss.

----

An hour later, Noah returned to the Riverdale estate along with someone.

"Mr. Riverdale, my boss has sent me here for Ms. Meira," Noah informed.

"What about it?" the old man asked, clearly displeased that Justin was giving attention to that girl.

Noah glanced at the woman in a perfectly fitted suit standing beside him and said, "This is Lana. She’s Ms. Meira’s caretaker from now on and will be staying here with her. Since Ms. Meira cannot go anywhere on her own, Lana will assist her so she can at least roam around the Riverdale estate instead of being confined to her room."

Aeldric, clearly annoyed, was about to say something, but Noah added further, "Mr. Aiden said he would like Ms. Meira to attend his wedding. Having Lana with her means he won’t have to worry about her and can focus on other matters."

Aeldric swallowed the words he had been about to speak. Justin’s message was clear—if Aeldric didn’t allow this, he could forget about the wedding.

"Alright," Aeldric said begrudgingly, and Noah guided Lana to Meira’s room.

Inside, Meira sat by the window, staring outside, lost in thought with nothing else to do. She turned when she heard them enter—remembering Justin’s words that Noah would come to her.

"Ms. Meira, Mr. Aiden has sent a companion for you," Noah said. "This is Lana. She’ll stay with you, protect you, and take care of you. If you need anything, let her know. If you want to go out for a walk, you can now do that too."

Meira looked at the woman. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit, her hairstyle neat and slick. She was tall and lean, and it was obvious she was no ordinary woman.

"Thank you. Good to have you, Ms. Lana," Meira said politely.

Noah placed a box on the table. "This is the cellphone Mr. Aiden has sent for you. His number is already saved in it. Lana will show you how to use it."

A cellphone? She had never owned one before. All she’d seen were the servants and guards using them.

She immediately rushed to the bed and opened the box to reveal a sleek black smartphone. "Whoa! It’s beautiful. Now I have one too!"

Noah found her reaction innocent. He almost smiled but held it back and turned to Lana. "Take care of her. I’ll take my leave."

Lana nodded, and Noah left.

The rest of the time, Lana spent patiently explaining to Meira how to use the cellphone.

---

Meanwhile, angry Aeldric ordered, "Kawin, the moment wedding invitations are ready, the first one should be sent to Natalie Harper."

"Yes, Mr Riverdale," Kawin replied.

Aeldric’s grip on his cane tightened, ’You keep going against me despite I try to give you a chance to be good grandson. Let’s see how you deal with what comes your way now.’