Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Copper

This woman stayed there, crying on the floor as if the world were about to end. Maybe to her, it was. While I froze up like a dumbass, Kenny took me by the arm and ran down the steps, along the maroon carpet, and out the door. While passing by that woman, I couldn’t help but gaze at her form. She stared at us in disbelief.

I picked up the skirt of my wedding dress and tried to keep up with Kenny’s pace.

Outside, many reporters flashed their cameras. Tons of security guards brushed past me and filed inside the church.

The noise, the voices, the flashes. It was all so dizzying.

“Kenny-” I began, shielding my face. Kenny already knew what to do. With quick movements, his jacket disappeared from his outfit and landed on my head. Thanks to that my eyes were completely protected.

Several guards kept the paparazzi at bay. One called Kenny by his last name. Kenny nodded. His arm held my waist as he made us follow the guard through the parted crowd.

As much as I wanted to focus on getting away, their shouts and questions were too loud to miss.

“A word, a word! Since you’re married, does that make the wedding crasher your mistress?” One asked.

“Kenny Greenland, why did you walk away from the mother of your child?”

“Is this a ploy to bring attention to your wedding?”

“Are there other mistresses? Mrs. Greenland, are you happy knowing that your husband brings women into your marriage bed?”

“Does this mean that you are infertile and that was your surrogate?”

“Is it true that you are as ugly as an old hag? If not, show us your face!”

Kenny made me go inside the car first. When I glanced up, he shut the door behind me. I didn’t know where he went, and I probably never would. His figure faded into the crowd with a few security guards behind him.

The driver pulled away and sped out of there as if he didn't care about hitting someone. At this point, I wouldn't mind either.

I leaned my head against the window, fingers pitching my nose. Guess there won't be a reception.

Instead of taking me home, or even to the Greenlands like I first thought, the driver surprised me by pulling into the yard of a brand-new house that I'd never seen before.

It wasn't as large as the Greenlands' house and not as grand as my grandfather's but boy, it was still fancy in terms of showing off how much it was worth.

The house had two floors, tiled steps led up to the outside foyer. White walls and multiple balconies added to the beauty of the home.

The car stopped, and I got out without waiting for the driver to open my door. But I still said thanks before hurrying towards the entrance door with my bouquet swinging from my hand.

I wasn't too worried about being in yet another new area. Sylvester was there at the door, two of his men stationed behind him. I never thought I would see the day where I'm glad to see him, but I needed a familiar face right now.

Sylvester led me inside. "Do you like it? It's a wedding gift from Kenny's parents. For the newly weds, they said."

"Oh well, thanks but... or rather tell them I send my gratitudes. But I really wanna find my room and take a nap." I handed him the bouquet. "It's been a long day."

Thankfully, he didn't oppose my request or try to make small talk. A maid stepped up to take the bouquet from Sylvester. "Very well. I'll take you there, Copper."

I followed him up the stairs with my head down. As soon as we got there I fell onto the bed without looking around.

"You're tired," Sylvester said as if it were a statement rather than a question.

I responded with a nod. More than tired.

"There is a maid from the Harmony household downstairs. I'll leave you to rest, and be back when the sun sets."

"Who was that woman at the alter?" I lifted my head just enough to look at him. "She can't be the one you were talking about, was she?"

My grandfather pinched his chin with his gaze directed to the ceiling. "She was quite the surprise, wasn't she? But those who aren't very, let's say, financially stable, would do anything for some income."

I frowned, not quite liking how he phrased his words. Still, I didn't argue as I laid my head down on the pillow. Maybe that's how rich people's minds worked.

"I will return before nightfall, Copper. The news outlets are demanding my attention. In the meantime, try to get comfortable. I'll see you soon, my child."

"Mhm." My mind already started to doze off when I heard the door shut.

_______

Raven

A young woman stepped through the door with her head held high. I don't know why she feels so proud of herself after doing something so simple, but since she got the job done, I couldn't berate her.

I closed the laptop that had photos of her crying outside the church the wedding was kept and clasped my hands together. Waiting.

Mary Sue slipped the red wig off her head and dipped her hand into the bust of her dress.

There was a bow with a fake pink diamond between her cleavage that she removed, and handed to me. I withdrew the SD card from inside and connected it to my laptop.

Satisfied with what I saw, I glanced over the device and smiled. "Good job," I said. "You can request the payment from my assistant."

She smirked and flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Of course, I know the drill. But aren't you going to thank me? It was difficult getting past their guards."

"You've barely done any work. Your payment is your reward," I rolled my eyes. Just what did this woman want from me?

Mary Sue huffed and folded her arms. She was about to say something when the door flew open as a middle aged woman in a lavender fur coat stomped into the office with my assistant trailing behind. "I'm sorry, Mr. Anthony," she said. "She wouldn't listen when I told her to wait."

"Oh. Can't say I'm surprised. You can leave her here, Bridget. And reserve my dinner at the same restaurant as last weekend."

"Yes, Mr. Anthony." Bridget bowed and left the room.

The lady decked in different shades of purple walked past Mary Sue like she wasn't even there. She stopped in front of my desk, looking at me expectedly.

"Raven, did you receive it?"

I sighed and leaned back into my chair. "Hello, Rebecca."

"Well?"

I turned my computer so she could see the screen. While Rebacca gasped, I swept a lock of my long black hair out of my face.

"That's her!" Rebecca exclaimed. Then she looked angry. "To think, all this time I spent sucking up to that old man and he wouldn't even let me see my niece! Does he think I'll do something to her? Well, he's not wrong."

"Worry not." I turned the laptop back to me, to her dismay. "This is the only clear picture we have of her face. Not even the tabloids have this, despite their efforts."

"This is all we need to find out more about her, right?" Rebecca asked. "What if he names her as the heir? We can't have that! If my husband doesn't inherit the company, your plan will fail as well."

Mary Sue laughed, grabbing Rebecca's attention. "Do you think we don't know that?" Mary Sue smirked. "Give Mr. Anthony some credit. And watch your mouth! Mr. Anthony isn't your friend. How dare you call him by his first name, you stupid hag!"

"Now, now, let's not fight." I got up and stepped towards the large glass window that displayed the city below. "Sylvester Harmony chose to associate with the Greenlands through marriage. We can't attack the Harmony Corporation. Sadly, we're nowhere near their league. But, we can bring down those closest to them."

I gazed at Mary Sue's reflection. "Mary Sue, I still need you to stir up more rumors. It doesn't matter whether the world believes you're a mistress or not. What matters is that people will start to focus on that family."

"Roger that, handsome." She winked.

Rebecca looked at us both. "What about me? What do I do?"

"You play the role of a good aunt. As for me, I'll find out every dirty little secret belonging to our new princess."

Orange sunlight danced off my golden watch. 4:33 PM. One day the Harmony Corporation will pay for their sins. Thanks to this unexpected change in the form of a little girl, that day might come sooner than I thought.