His words made Sadie’s heart lurch nervously, and she turned pale. A sickening feeling washed over her, hinting that Holden might know something she didn’t want him to know.
Zayden, too, picked up on the odd atmosphere instantly, though he kept his cool and masked it with an awkward laugh. “What’s going on here? Where is everyone?”
Holden’s smile took on a shrewd edge as he descended the stage, his piercing gaze fixed on Zayden as if burning holes through him. “Am I not the guest of honor?”
Dread spiked through Sadie, jolting her to move. With wide eyes, she rushed over to Holden, her words spilling out haltingly.
“Wi-What do you mean by that? You’re the guest? But this is our wedding, isn’t it? Why would you be the guest?” Her lips contorted into a feeble imitation of a smile. Her hands were shaking.
Holden’s laughter rang hollow, devoid of any warmth. “I’ve always believed in giving people what they want. It’s clear that you and Zayden are in love, so I want to make your wish come true. Consider this wedding my gift to both of you.”
Sadie’s complexion drained of color as panic surged within her. “What exactly are you saying?” she cried out, her voice shrill in the vast hall.
Zayden had also caught on, though his face betrayed nothing. “This joke isn’t very funny. Look how upset you’ve made Sadie feel.”
Holden’s smile persisted, but his eyes betrayed a calculating assessment. “Whether I’m joking or not… You would know better than anyone, right?”
Outwardly, Zayden appeared unfazed. “Let’s keep this kind of joke between us men. No need to sully Sadie’s reputation over it.”
Holden quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that so?” With a sharp command, he called out, “Shawn!”
Shawn emerged from the shadows like a looming guillotine, exposing their fate by flinging a stack of photos to Sadie and Zayden.
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The photos fluttered, littering the floor. The photos were illicit images of them together Sadie turned ghostly pale at the sight, paralyzed.
Zayden’s eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the photos before turning back to Holden, his expression inscrutable.
Sadie opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word, Shawn produced a listening device, placing it deliberately in front of them.
Holden’s piercing gaze bore into both of them. “Thanks to you having her plant that little gift in my study, I’ve been able to gather all the evidence I need on you two.”
Sadie staggered back in shock, her face drained of color as she laid eyes on the eavesdropping device on the table. Her lips quivered, and in a trembling murmur, she repeated, “Impossible! It can’t be. I kept it secret!”
Trying to steady herself, Sadie’s overwhelming fear sent shivers down her spine. She looked at Holden, her voice faltering. “This is all a misunderstanding. Someone’s trying to pin it on me…”
She was unable to even finish her statements because of the extreme fear.
Holden paid no heed to her turmoil, fixing his gaze on Zayden without uttering a word.