She Wore Many Masks, and Ruled Them All

Chapter 514 The Century Wedding

Beth was amused by Tessa’s demeanor. "Don't worry. I can see that Lucas is truly sincere about Sloane." "If you have any other requests, just name them!" Tessa said magnanimously. "Gifts, the house, the car fleet… our Hawthorne family will definitely make it a grand affair!" Beth smiled faintly. "None of that is important. I just want the two children to be happy." "That's a given!" Tessa was so excited she tried to sit up again. "I promise you, if Lucas dares to treat Sloane poorly, I'll be the first to object!" Just then, Lucas and Sloane walked in with a fruit platter. Seeing the two elders chatting so happily, they were both a little puzzled. "Grandma, Mom, what are you two talking about that’s made you so happy?" Sloane asked curiously. Tessa and Beth exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We’re discussing your wedding!" Sloane’s face instantly turned red. "Grandma! You’re still recovering!""I’m fine!" Tessa said, her voice full of vigor. "I say we set the wedding for next month…" Beth nodded with a smile. "Alright, we’ll do as you say." Lucas and Sloane stood to the side, watching the two elders enthusiastically discuss wedding details, and smiled at each other. A month later, the wisteria at the Hawthorne family's old estate bloomed right on schedule, and the entire manor was decorated into a dreamlike ocean of purple. The event, dubbed the "Wedding of the Century" by the media, was being held here. At five in the morning, Sloane sat in the dressing room, wearing a wedding gown that had taken a top French designer three months to hand-sew. The 9,999 small diamonds on the skirt glittered in the morning light, like a river of stars cascading down. "Mom…" Sloane looked at Beth standing behind her in the mirror, her voice catching. Beth gently fastened a blue diamond necklace for her. "This is the Hawthorne family heirloom, the ‘Tear of the Star River.’ Tessa specifically asked me to put it on you today."At the same time, Lucas stood under the wisteria trellis, uncharacteristically nervous. Samson helped him adjust his bow tie, teasing, "This is the first time I’ve ever seen your hands shake." Just as Lucas was about to speak, Tessa was wheeled over. She was wearing a deep purple gown today, looking full of energy. "Lucas, I brought the deed to the old house. Consider it a wedding gift for Sloane." Guests arrived one after another, including many prominent figures from business and politics. The most eye-catching were the titans of the medical world—the professor arrived with his entire cardiac surgery team, Benjamin was a groomsman, and even Kelvin, who was doing medical aid far overseas, had sent a gift back. The wedding officially began. A holographic projection re-created the starry sky from Lucas’s proposal under the wisteria trellis. When the piano melody of "Wedding March" began, Sloane slowly walked down the aisle, holding Tony’s arm. Lucas watched the figure at the end of the floral path, his breath catching. Sloane’s veil was adorned with wisteria petals, and every step she took seemed to be upon the river of stars. "So beautiful…" a guest murmured softly.Tessa wiped the corner of her eye, saying to Beth beside her, "Becoming in-laws with you was worth it!" During the ring exchange, Lucas took out the blue diamond ring, but then suddenly knelt on one knee. "Sloane, I love you." The crowd was in an uproar. Sloane blushed and nodded, but Lucas, as if by magic, produced another ring. "I had this one modified from the heirloom gem Grandma gave me. From now on, we’ll wear a matching set." Just as they exchanged rings, hundreds of drones suddenly rose into the sky, forming the word "Forever" against the blue. Even more breathtaking, a holographic projection cast the images of the two of them into the air, as if the entire sky was witnessing their wedding. After the banquet began, Madam Tessa clapped her hands mysteriously. The butler wheeled out a nine-tier cake. "Grandma designed this specially for you," Lucas whispered in Sloane’s ear. "She said it had to balance the Hawthorne family's grandeur with your profession." As the newlyweds cut the cake, Beth suddenly stood up. "I have a gift for the children." She motioned for the staff to pull back a curtain, revealing an exquisite architectural model. "This is the ‘Sloane Research Center,’ which will break ground next month." Beth’s eyes were teary. "I hope your careers, like your love, will be evergreen." Night fell, and fireworks bloomed under the stars. Lucas held Sloane, dancing under the wisteria trellis. "Everything today," he said softly, "is even more perfect than I ever imagined." Sloane leaned against his chest, looking at their family laughing and talking nearby—Tessa was introducing Beth to her old friends, Tony and Shawn were discussing something, and Benjamin was rarelying a smile, holding a champagne flute… "Because the people who love us are all here," she replied softly. The last firework exploded in the sky, scattering into countless stars. Just as Tessa had said, this was truly an "unprecedented" wedding—not just because of its luxury, but because this love, gathered from all their blessings, would shine in their lives forever.

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