Mia Kane had been preparing for a long time. The moment she found out they were getting married, she started designing her own battle gown.

She loved red—vibrant and brilliant.

It featured a unique cut, a form-fitting silhouette, and a hip-hugging fishtail hem. The back was a deep V, showing it off completely.

She even booked a very expensive stylist, completely abandoning her usual simple, understated look for something bold and flamboyant.

The gown still needed a few alterations, so she brought it home.

After one last adjustment to the waistline, it was finally complete. She put it on to try it out and was extremely satisfied.

Just then, Adrian Preston knocked and came in.

She was just thinking she needed someone’s opinion.

"What do you think? Does it look good?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

She took a few steps, the hem of her skirt swaying gracefully with every move, as if lotuses bloomed in her wake.

Adrian nodded in approval. But when she turned and took a few more steps, he immediately saw the cleverly revealed back.

’It shows so much skin!’

His brows furrowed instantly.

"It doesn’t look good."

He immediately denied it.

"Huh? It doesn’t?"

She froze. His eyes had clearly been filled with appreciation just a moment ago. Why the sudden change of heart?

She looked down, holding her skirt as she spun around a few times.

"I think it looks great."

"Since you’re asking for my opinion, I’m telling you it’s not good. Change into something else!"

Adrian went to the walk-in closet and pulled out the most conservative, loosest-fitting outfit he could find.

Mia Kane was struck silent.

Adrian’s fashion sense was always on point. He always managed to pick the most suitable outfits for Shannon Preston.

But now...

It suddenly dawned on her.

"You don’t... think this dress is too revealing, do you?"

She stared at him, her eyes sparkling with the slyness of a little fox.

"I’m going to style my hair in big waves, wear fiery red lipstick, and really put Vivian Lynch in her place."

Adrian narrowed his eyes. He could just imagine how beautiful she would look—like a sexy, thorny rose, exuding an air of dangerous mystery that would draw everyone to her.

She could pull off any look, from innocent to sultry, from cool to sweet. Her figure wasn’t overtly voluptuous, but she was perfectly curvy where it counted.

She often practiced yoga to sculpt her body, leaving her without an ounce of fat. Her waist was slender enough to wrap your hands around, and her legs were long and straight.

On top of that, her skin was fair—so fair it was dazzling.

’If she shows up like this, won’t she capture the attention of every other man there? Especially Chase Lockwood’s?’

’Is she dressing up this beautifully to spite Vivian Lynch, or is it for Chase Lockwood to see?’

The more Adrian thought about it, the more unsettled he felt.

"If you don’t change, you’re not going."

Adrian’s tone was firm.

"No way, it’s too ugly! Everyone will laugh at me."

Mia was vehemently opposed.

"You don’t have a choice. Either that, or you stay home."

"You might as well kill me as make me wear this to Vivian Lynch’s wedding!"

’This is just too humiliating.’

"Then stay home on the day of the wedding."

Adrian’s tone was non-negotiable.

Mia was getting angry too. ’We live in an age of freedom of dress, yet he’s being so controlling.’

’He could tolerate the misunderstanding about me sleeping with someone else, so what’s the big deal about me wearing this dress?’

She couldn’t understand it.

’Did Adrian think she couldn’t go just because he wouldn’t take her? She still had her own invitation.’

Vivian Lynch was practically asking for a slap in the face. Even if that slap had to travel a thousand miles, Mia would make sure it landed squarely on her cheek.

"Vivian Lynch sent me a separate invitation. If you won’t take me, I can go by myself."

Hearing this, Adrian’s expression changed. His dark, phoenix-like eyes cast an exceptionally obscure gaze upon her, making her heart tremble.

The temperature in the bedroom seemed to slowly drop.

She was so intimidated by his stare that she barely dared to breathe.

"You’re so eager to go, and you’ve dressed up so beautifully. You want Chase Lockwood to see you, don’t you."

"Huh?"

Mia finally understood why he was so angry. He thought she had meticulously dressed up for another man.

’Wait, is he jealous?’

"You really sound like you’re jealous."

She asked cautiously.

Hearing this, Adrian frowned deeply, his voice stern. "You’re overthinking it. You are, at the very least, Mrs. Preston now. Dressing like this to attract your ex-boyfriend’s attention—where does that put me?"

"Mia Kane, don’t push it. My tolerance for you has its limits."

"Fine. Can I just add a shawl, then?"

She made a concession.

"Do you absolutely have to go?"

His voice was hoarse.

’Does she want to witness his wedding?’

"He didn’t choose you, and you don’t have a single complaint? You’re still going to eagerly attend someone else’s wedding?"

He thought Mia would be in pain. After all, Chase Lockwood had just slept with her—he had thought Chase would cancel the wedding.

But not only was it not canceled, it was moved up.

’So what did that make Mia?’

’He repeatedly trampled on Mia’s feelings, and she still has no regrets?’

"Believe it or not, I’m only going to say this one last time. Nothing happened between Chase Lockwood and me!"

Adrian’s brows knitted together. His judgmental gaze felt like an interrogation.

She met his gaze fearlessly, her own look open and honest.

If it were anyone else, he would be able to tell with a single glance if they were lying.

But he was too close to the situation. Deep down, he believed Mia loved Chase Lockwood, so every word she said sounded like a lie.

Even if he wanted to believe her, he was still hesitant.

Mia looked away in disappointment. He didn’t trust her; nothing she said would make a difference.

She couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore.

Whether he misunderstood her for trying to please Chase Lockwood or for sleeping with him, she wouldn’t explain herself another time.

’It’s so tiring communicating with an obstinate man.’ It was just like how Chase Lockwood refused to believe she didn’t love him anymore.

She suddenly understood Chase a little. Adrian didn’t believe she was really over him, either.

After all, she had invested three years of genuine affection. It was indeed hard for others to believe she could let go in such a short time.

It seemed that no matter what she did, it would be seen as a deliberate act.

"I’ll add a shawl. If you don’t take me, I’ll go myself."

With that, she turned to go to the bathroom to wash up.

"Mia—"

Adrian called out to her, his voice hoarse, as if he had a thousand things to say.

She paused, a flicker of anticipation in her heart.

But in the end...

He said nothing, and she left in disappointment.

Adrian stared at the closed door. He wanted to believe her, but then he thought... ’even if it’s true, so what? She still can’t let go of Chase Lockwood. Isn’t she dressing up so beautifully just to make him regret it? To make him regret giving up someone as vibrant and wonderful as her for a bland piece of trash like Vivian Lynch?’

’In the end... she just can’t let go of Chase Lockwood.’

「Soon, it was the day of Vivian Lynch and Chase Lockwood’s wedding.」

This time, they had even agreed to media interviews and a live broadcast, allowing the whole world to witness the magnificent wedding.

It was said to be Vivian’s idea. Although Chase wasn’t fond of it, he respected her wishes and agreed.

Vivian Lynch looked at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a crown on her head and a pristine white wedding gown adorned with hundreds of dazzling diamonds, making it worth a fortune.

A blissful smile spread across her face, tinged with a hint of smugness.

"Mia Kane, just you wait. You’re going to make a fool of yourself!"