Chapter 1: The Chocolate Cake and the Shattered Illusion
The warm, soft ambient lighting from massive crystal chandeliers cascaded down the grand luxury banquet hall, illuminating a wall covered in tens of thousands of pristine white flowers. It was a flawless setting—a dream-like high-society wedding that Julianne had meticulously planned for over a year. However, that magnificent atmosphere was instantly shattered by a piercing, feral screech.
"You piece of trash!"
Julianne, the redhead bride in her strapless lace white wedding gown, completely lost control. Her face, once considered the epitome of elegance, distorted into unhinged rage, her eyes wide and bloodshot. The expensive gown and diamond earrings could no longer conceal the violent malice erupting from within her. Julianne could not tolerate the unannounced arrival of a beautiful stranger who dared to wear an elegant, one-shoulder teal silk dress that effortlessly commanded the room's attention. Conviced that this woman was a low-class crasher trying to blackmail her or ruin her big day, Julianne charged toward the banquet table.
In a swift, aggressive motion, Julianne grabbed a massive chocolate cake and slammed it directly into the blonde woman's face.
Thud! Thick chocolate frosting and crumbs splattered violently across the pristine white marble floor. Everything in the room seemed to freeze. The blonde guest stood perfectly still, like a statue, dripping with smashed chocolate cake while keeping a silent, intense stare. Despite the thick brown mess sliding down her slender shoulders and emerald earrings, her regal aura remained completely unblemished by the sweet mud.
Julianne panted heavily, her chest heaving, her eyes wide with malicious satisfaction as she glared at the mess she had created. She wore a triumphant smirk, catching her breath before preparing to call security to throw this "pest" out.
But her fleeting joy evaporated instantly when a powerful hand forcefully grabbed her arm and pulled her back. It was Christian, her groom. His face was stripped of its usual sophisticated demeanor, replaced instead by an explosive, protective anger. Christian stepped aggressively between them, shielding the blonde woman. He yelled fiercely into Julianne's face, his voice booming through the entire congregation:
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"Stop! She's my sister, she owns this place! Get out!"
A dead silence enveloped the estate. Julianne's eyes shifted from malice to absolute, paralyzing horror, her jaw dropping. The woman she had just humiliated with a chocolate cake was not a stalker or an envious ex-girlfriend; she was Victoria—Christian’s mysterious older sister. She was the true owner of the entire luxury estate and the matriarch who held the financial reins of the family—the very person Julianne had desperately tried to please for months but had never met due to Victoria's overseas business empire.
