Chapter 2

"Have you found out who did it?" Samuel's handsome, gentle face was now cast in shadow. He looked ruthless and as cold as ice. It felt like the calm before a storm. Samuel was 24 years old, and it had taken him six years to get to the position of CEO and reclaim what had once been his. He was now the youngest and most accomplished CEO in Elderstone. When he saw the injuries that covered Sophia's body, he felt both compassion and rage. Who had been bold enough to hurt her like that? They clearly had a death wish. His subordinate hung his head, too afraid to look at Samuel's face. "Mr. White is currently investigating. I'm sure there will be a result soon." If Shirley had been there, she would have realized that everything was happening the way it had in that nightmare. Since Billy was investigating it, Samuel did not ask further. He carefully held Sophia's hand, afraid that he would hurt her. He looked at her red and swollen face. His heart ached for her, but he also felt relief at finding something that he had lost. His uncle, Aaron Moore, had said that she was dead. Samuel had never expected her to still be alive and that she would be lying in front of him right now… "Soph," Samuel called gently. In their nine years together, Shirley had never felt such gentleness from him. Samuel had lost his parents and half a leg in that car accident, and it had been Sophia who had stayed with him throughout his darkest and most despair-filled days. He had thought of dying, but Sophia had pulled him back. She had been like a candle in his dark and bleak world, and she had made him see light and warmth again. It was a pity that good things couldn't last. Half a year later, Sophia had been imprisoned by Aaron. She had become a pawn to threaten Samuel and Billy with. Since then, Samuel had not seen Sophia again. Apart from the photos that Aaron occasionally sent him, Samuel had no idea about Sophia's fate. He did not know where she was or what kind of life she was living. After that, he had been chosen by Shirley at her birthday banquet. With the support of the Weiss family, Samuel's influence had grown stealthily, and he finally broke free of Aaron's control. He had managed to steal a lot of Aaron's clients as well. In fury, Aaron had sent a photo to Samuel of Sophia with a knife in her chest, lying in a puddle of blood. He told Samuel that Sophia was dead. Samuel and Billy had been grief-stricken and retaliated furiously until they drove Aaron to the edge. When Aaron went to prison, he admitted to Samuel that he had been the one who killed Sophia. Samuel had felt as if his heart had died. He finally consented to marry Shirley, which was something Owen had been pushing him to do. He knew he had let Sophia down, and he could not do the same to Shirley. However, Samuel had now put Shirley out of his mind completely. He held Sophia's hand tenderly. "Soph, I'll never leave you again, and I won't let anyone hurt you anymore." It was a man's promise. No one could replace Sophia's position in his heart, including Shirley, who had been by his side for six years. Sophia was deeply asleep, and she looked peaceful in her beauty. A man who was standing in the study tried and failed to speak several times. It was supposed to be a day of joy for Samuel and Shirley, but Samuel seemed to have forgotten about it completely. He hadn't even changed yet. The subordinate who stood outside the door finally couldn't help speaking up, saying, "Mr. Moore, it's almost time. It's time to get changed and pick up the bride." Samuel did not seem to hear him. He sat by the bed without moving. The subordinate shut up tactfully. He did not have the courage to speak up again. After a long time, Samuel finally stood up. "Get me my clothes." … An hour later, the wedding car appeared on the road outside Weiss Manor. There was a long, grand procession of luxurious vehicles. All the friends and family of the Weisses were present, and there was a celebratory mood in the air. "The wedding procession is here!" The sound of the guests' laughter filled the air and drifted up from the lower floors. Shirley was fully dressed up, and she decided to ignore the rules as she walked quickly over to the balcony. She saw the main wedding car stop slowly outside the front doors. Rachel said sternly from inside, "Shirley, come in and sit down. It's unlucky for you to do that." "I was just sneaking a quick look." Shirley held out a slender finger and blinked mischievously at Rachel. Rachel said, "No!" When Shirley saw how stern Rachel looked, she stopped smiling at once and walked back reluctantly. "Shirley!" Rachel tapped her on the forehead. "Sit here and be good. Your father and I will go downstairs first." Rachel looked at Shirley's bridesmaids and said rather worriedly, "When Samuel comes up, you've got to make sure that the door is locked properly. Don't let Shirley handle things, and make sure the door isn't opened until the proper time, alright?" When it came to Samuel, Shirley could never resist. Shirley giggled cheekily and said, "Don't worry. I'll listen to you this time, Mom." When she had first seen Samuel, he had been dressed in white, and she had been smitten instantly. Since then, she hadn't had eyes for anyone else. After so many years, she had finally got what she wanted. Half an hour wouldn't make any difference. Shirley looked at herself in the mirror as she heard the celebratory fireworks being let off outside. She smiled happily. "Samuel, I'm finally marrying you." She had waited for this day for such a long time! … Outside Weiss Manor, Samuel got out of the car. He wore a white suit, and he looked elegant and handsome as he stood tall and upright in front of the car. He appeared so perfect that people overlooked his disability. In the midst of a roar of praise and laughter, Samuel strode toward Weiss Manor with his groomsmen. At that moment, his phone rang. Billy was calling. It seemed that the investigation had yielded results. Samuel answered the phone. "Billy." Billy's voice came over the phone, sounding more menacing than usual, "We've found the culprit who hurt Soph." "Who is it?" Right in front of Samuel, Owen and Rachel were smiling as they walked toward him. The Weisses looked at the tall, gentle-looking man in front of them, feeling content. Billy said, "It's Owen. He's been keeping Soph locked up in the old Weiss mansion, and he was the one who got Aaron sent off." Billy's statement made Samuel narrow his eyes. A film of ice descended over his eyes, and his usual gentle demeanor disappeared completely. There was no warmth in his voice at all when he asked, "Are you sure?" BIlly answered firmly, "I'm sure." Samuel's hands hung by his sides as he watched Owen and Rachel walk toward him. He smiled scornfully. If that was how things were, then he did not have to be guilty about what he was going to do next. He had been planning to explain things personally to Shirley, but now, he did not feel like saying anything. She had known about Sophia from the beginning, but she had still been planning to marry him, as if nothing had happened. He had underestimated Shirley! Upstairs, Shirley was taking photos with her bridesmaids, and she looked happy and in love in every single photo. Her best friend, Janine Blackwood, handed a box to her. "Shirley, this is the wedding gift we've prepared for you. Since Mrs. Weiss was around just now, I kept it hidden. Open it quickly and see if you like it." "What is it? Why are you being so mysterious?" Shirley took the box and opened it under her bridesmaids' excited looks. "This… What the hell is this?" It was lingerie. Janine grinned slyly. "We prepared this specially for your wedding night."