Chapter 14

After breakfast, Zelda got into Damian's car. She was about to say something when Damian spoke up, "My grandma is in poor health. She wants to see me married, but if you don't agree, I can explain it to her." Zelda thought of Astrid's kind face and smiled helplessly. "There's no need to discuss it further. Since I agreed last night, I won't go back on my word." "Good. Then I'll help you with the issues with the Cantrell family," Damian said as if their marriage were a straightforward business arrangement. Zelda wanted to refuse but remembered Warren's help at the Crescent Hotel. It was clear that Warren had helped her because of Damian, and their relationship seemed close. Given Osbert's respectful demeanor toward Warren, he must be influential. It was likely that Warren could solve the problem. Although Harlan was settled and she didn't need to worry about the Cantrells for now, Edric was selfish and would likely cause trouble for his own advantage. It was better to deal with the issue directly rather than let them create trouble for her like pests. "Alright, thank you," Zelda said. They drove to the mall in Phoypolis' city center, where there was a high-end bridal shop. Damian led her into the bridal shop. When Zelda saw the price tags on the wedding dresses, her expression changed slightly. Even a simple wedding dress was priced in the six-figure range. They didn't need to be so extravagant. She put down the price tag and whispered to Damian, "Why don't we try another shop? The prices here are quite high." Noticing her earnest expression, Damian chuckled softly and said, "I didn't expect my fiancée to be so considerate. Even before the wedding, you're already thinking about me." Zelda's face flushed as she shot him a look. "Making money is not easy for you. Once Grandma's health has stabilized, the surgery will likely cost a lot. It's better to save some money now." Damian smirked slightly, realizing that Zelda thought of him as just a powerless male escort. He said, "I have the money. Feel free to choose whatever you like." Just then, a disgruntled voice came from the entrance. "Didn't we say we were booking the Crescent Hotel for the wedding? Why has it suddenly changed?" "Faye, Drake found out this morning that the Crescent Hotel was completely booked for that day, so we had no choice but to move to the nearby Avalon Hotel. They're close together, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle," Virgil said gently. Faye was still upset. Although the hotels were nearby, the Avalon Hotel was far less luxurious. She had boasted about hosting the wedding at the most upscale hotel in Phoypolis. Now, she was worried about being embarrassed in front of her relatives and friends. "Virgil, your family is quite influential in Phoypolis. Couldn't you ask Drake to help?" Faye said, feeling dissatisfied. She cared a lot about appearances and wanted her wedding to be as perfect as possible. "I've already checked. A prominent figure reserved the entire venue. Even my family can't interfere. Faye, just make do with this situation. The wedding is already set, and we can't change the date. I'll buy you any wedding dress you want from here," Virgil reassured her. Originally, the Valdez family had planned to book a whole floor of the Crescent Hotel for the wedding, which was already a huge expense. But now, someone had booked the entire hotel, showing the strength and influence beyond the Valdez family's reach. Hearing Virgil's response, Faye's expression softened slightly. She nodded and pouted. "Alright, let's go with that for now." Their conversation was overheard by Zelda and Damian, who were nearby. It was such a coincidence that they kept running into them wherever they went. After Faye finished speaking, her gaze swept over and landed on Zelda and Damian. Annoyed by the news about the hotel being booked, Faye was already in a foul mood. Seeing Zelda, her expression turned even more sour. "Oh, look who's here? Zelda, are you shopping for a wedding dress? Are you really planning to have the wedding with this male escort? Aren't you worried people will laugh?" Faye stepped forward, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Zelda frowned slightly. Stepping in front of Damian, she said coldly, "Who I marry is none of your business." Faye scoffed derisively, her gaze dripping with contempt. "This is a high-end bridal shop. What are you doing here? Can you even afford anything?" She then turned to a staff member, Margot Alvarado, and said, "Make sure you don't let just anyone in here. If real buyers see them, it'll ruin the store's reputation." Margot recognized Virgil as a member of the Valdez family. Therefore, she didn't dare to be disrespectful. She greeted them with a polite smile, her face full of ingratiation, "You're right, we were careless." Margot said as she approached Zelda, "Miss, our wedding dresses start at six figures. As you've seen, you can't afford them. Please leave." Today, Zelda and Damian were dressed casually. Unlike Faye, who was decked out in designer brands. Naturally, Margot classified them as "not well-off". Zelda couldn't help but frown. Even so, she said nothing more. She reached for Damian's hand, ready to leave. However, Damian stood there, unmoving. Virgil looked at Zelda with a dark expression and finally spoke up, "Zelda, I told you not to get involved with this male escort. Why didn't you listen?" Seemingly mindful of Faye's feelings, he continued, "You're Faye's sister. If you marry this male escort, it'll ruin her reputation." Faye lifted her chin with a haughty expression. The thought of being able to put Zelda in her place was immensely satisfying. She scoffed and directed her gaze at Damian. "You might not know, but Dad has already agreed to Zelda's marriage with Osbert. She's just using you. Once she's done, she'll discard you. Besides, she doesn't have much money, so don't be fooled by her." Damian's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile as he looked at Faye. "Really? You seem very concerned about my affairs. Could it be that you've taken a liking to me? I remember you chased me for my contact information after I left the Cantrell residence." Faye's expression changed. She immediately turned to Virgil. Seeing that he was not angry, she quickly retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? There's no need to lie and slander me for Zelda's sake. Please get these people out of here." Seeing Faye's anger, Margot hurried over to Zelda and Damian. Trying to appease Faye, she said to Zelda, "Miss, you're causing a serious disturbance to our customers here. Please leave immediately." Damian gave Margot a brief, indifferent glance. Margot shivered slightly, feeling an inexplicable fear. But seeing their modest attire, she straightened her back and said, "If you don't leave, I'll call security," She had been working here for many years and had seen her fair share of less-than-affluent customers who just browsed without buying, wasting her time. With that in mind, Margot became even more aggressive. "Our wedding dresses are very expensive and not something ordinary people can afford. From your attire, it seems you aren't wealthy. If you damage any of the wedding dresses, you won't be able to cover the cost. Please leave immediately" "Call your manager," Damian said, his tone firm. Margot's face flickered with anger. Facing his unreasonable behavior, her tone grew sharper. "Who do you think you are? My manager isn't someone you can see on a whim." Perhaps her loud voice drew attention, as someone from inside came out and asked, "What's going on?" Margot immediately changed her tone upon seeing the manager. She said respectfully, "Ms. Walker, these two are causing trouble in the store. I was about to call security to remove them." The manager of the bridal shop, Valerie Walker, was a woman in her 30s. With meticulously done makeup and perfectly styled hair, she looked like a woman with a strong drive for her career. As she followed Margot's gaze and her eyes landed on Damian, her expression changed slightly. She thought, "Is that… Damian, the president of Munoz Group?" She realized he was also the owner of the brand.