Irresistible to the Unwanted Bride

[1]

I married into a wealthy family. On the day of the wedding, the groom ran away.

[2]

He turned me into the biggest joke in the entertainment business.

[3]

However, three months later, everyone was surprised.

[4]

He knelt on his knees and begged me.

[5]

"Noreen, I'm sorry. I regret it. Please don't marry my uncle."

[6]

1.

[7]

The melody of the Wedding March was halfway through when Sarah Clarke, my agent, frantically informed me that my groom was still nowhere to be found.

[8]

After a few seconds of silence, she hesitantly speculated,

[9]

"Could it be that Caiden...

[10]

has run away?"

[11]

I clutched my delicate bouquet, misshaping it.

[12]

"He wouldn't do this to me. He'll come."

[13]

Even at that moment, I was certain Caiden Price loved me.

[14]

After graduating from college, I entered the entertainment business.

[15]

From an unknown supporting actress, I gradually became a famous young actress with Caiden's support.

[16]

He invested a lot of time and money in me.

[17]

If it wasn't for love, I couldn't explain it.

[18]

However, my agent didn't believe it.

[19]

"Noreen, don't be naive. He's blocked my number. It's obvious he won't show up at the wedding. This jerk is trying to ruin you."

[20]

She added, "There's a swarm of reporters outside, blocking the hotel entrance.

[21]

I'll contact our company for emergency PR.

[22]

Stay in the room.

[23]

Don't go out."

[24]

After she left, I repeatedly went through my chat history with Caiden.

[25]

Just last night, before bed, he said, "Noreen, tomorrow I'll give you an unforgettable wedding.

[26]

I'll make you the happiest bride."

[27]

How could someone change their mind in just 12 hours?

[28]

I didn't believe it.

[29]

I was willing to wait for him.

[30]

After wiping my tears, I hadn't even had time to redo my makeup.

[31]

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the lounge.

[32]

"The groom's missing.

[33]

Won't the bride come out to say anything?"

[34]

The knocking grew louder, and I had no choice but to open the door.

[35]

I didn't expect the troublemakers to be Caiden's friends.

[36]

They usually treated me respectfully.

[37]

However, now, their eyes were filled with disdain.

[38]

"Noreen, you finally came out. Are we supposed to keep waiting?"

[39]

At that time, I didn't know they were recording a video.

[40]

My back stiffened, and I spoke with excessive humility, "Let's wait a bit longer.

[41]

Caiden will be back soon. We can't have a wedding with no guests...

[42]

It would be too inauspicious."

[43]

I don't know why, but my words seemed to hit their funny bone.

[44]

The men across from me clutched their stomachs, laughing until tears streamed down their faces.

[45]

"Jesus! You're still dreaming,

[46]

waiting for Caiden to marry you?"

[47]

"You're beneath contempt, and Caiden is a prince.

[48]

How could he ever be interested in you?"

[49]

"You're punching above your weight.

[50]

Know your place!"

[51]

I realized something.

[52]

Seemingly, they knew Caiden wouldn't show up, didn't they?

[53]

I was the fool, eagerly anticipating a wedding without a groom.

[54]

A feeling of dread creeping over me quickly spread through my body.

[55]

I laughed and cried, cried and laughed, until I couldn't breathe, as if my very breath had stopped.

[56]

I guessed that was what it meant to be utterly devastated.

[57]

It was.

[58]

At that time, I couldn't have imagined that the worst was yet to come.

[59]

2.

[60]

It felt like I was in a dream

[61]

I shed tears for three days in the dream.

[62]

However, I couldn't wake up.

[63]

On the fourth day, my agent couldn't take it anymore.

[64]

She threw a pile of play scripts in front of me. "When love fails, work will succeed.

[65]

Choose carefully.

[66]

We'll aim for the Golden Awards."

[67]

I lowered my head, silent.

[68]

Sarah sighed heavily. "Noreen, you've been lucky.

[69]

You only invited a few close friends and family to your wedding, and no one betrayed you.

[70]

Besides, you've always been low-key. You and Caiden were never photographed together, so the paparazzi have no solid evidence. The matter will end soon.

[71]

Even such explosive news couldn't bring you down, and your career remains unaffected.

[72]

What are you still brooding over?

[73]

Cheer up!"

[74]

Was my love not worth mentioning?

[75]

I couldn't believe Caiden would do this to me.

[76]

I just couldn't.

[77]

12 P.M.

[78]

Sarah, who had returned to the company for an emergency meeting, suddenly called me.

[79]

"Noreen, didn't I tell you to stay in the room on the wedding day?

[80]

Why do you always have to act on your own?"

[81]

I'd been working with her for two years and had never seen her so angry.

[82]

My heart pounded with a sense of foreboding.

[83]

"Did something happen,

[84]

Sarah?"

[85]

On Whatsapp, she sent me a video.

[86]

I checked it. The video was from the wedding day. I was in my wedding dress, makeup ruined by tears, pleading pathetically for those people not to leave.

[87]

My voice in the video was pitiful. "Let's wait a bit longer. Caiden will be back soon.

[88]

We can't have a wedding with no guests...

[89]

It would be too inauspicious."

[90]

The onlookers were disdainful, hurling insults at me.

[91]

The video ended abruptly.

[92]

Then, there was an uproar in the trending searches.

[93]

"Noreen Rogers' secret marriage exposed?" "Noreen Rogers failed to climb up?" "Noreen's desperate attempts?"

[94]

I dominated the top ten places in the entertainment section.

[95]

All were negative news.

[96]

At the same time, my social media comment sections were flooded.

[97]

Fans questioned me, "Noreen, you're so young. Why rush into marriage?

[98]

Even if you want to marry, find someone who loves you.

[99]

Why are you so desperate?"

[100]

"Noreen, just quit the business. You're love-obsessed, lack ambition, and are foolish and naive.

[101]

You are too stupid."

[102]

"Ma'am, I'm too tired to defend you.

[103]

Was the single status announcement from your company a few days ago just a joke on us fans?"

[104]

My anti-fans also joined in, taking the opportunity to drag me down, claiming I got roles through connections.

[105]

Worse, they spread tabloid scandals about me, saying I slept with men during school and was passed around by several sugar daddies.

[106]

Once a female star gets involved in scandals, it's like she's the dirtiest thing in the world, and everyone wants to step on her.

[107]

In just one day, I became the biggest joke in the entertainment business.

[108]

What did I do wrong?

[109]

I just trusted the wrong man and misjudged someone.

[110]

However, it seemed I was...

[111]

unforgivable.

[112]

"Finished reading the trending searches?

[113]

If the company hadn't handled the crisis PR, you'd have been criticized into silence by now.

[114]

Noreen, you had such a good public image, and now it's all ruined because of a man.

[115]

I disagreed with your marriage from the start. Who has a wedding before getting the marriage certificate? What did you tell me? Oh, you said you trusted him.

[116]

This is what your trusted man did?

[117]

I just don't get it. To destroy you, Caiden, the heir of a wealthy family, spent a year setting you up.

[118]

What grudge do you have with him?"

[119]

I also wanted to know why.

[120]

Why on earth?

[121]

3.

[122]

The company was in chaos because of my scandal.

[123]

Removing negative trending searches, compensating for breached contracts, replacing roles in scripts...

[124]

After all those movements, everyone was exhausted.

[125]

"Your rivals aren't easy to deal with. They've teamed up, refused to let go, and wanted to strip you of all your resources.

[126]

I've never been so humiliated in my life.

[127]

Noreen, do you realize how much trouble you've caused me?"

[128]

Sarah's frown deepened, and after a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke,

[129]

"Take a break."

[130]

I knew that "break" was equivalent to being banned.

[131]

I sat dazed in a bar, drowning myself in alcohol, yet my mind remained painfully clear.

[132]

At 22, I entered the entertainment business.

[133]

With no connections or supporters, I could only act in web dramas.

[134]

I had resigned myself to it.

[135]

At 23, I met Caiden.

[136]

He told me success required support.

[137]

He wanted to be my backing, and I just needed to focus on acting.

[138]

Sure enough, that year, all the popular scripts from Daylight Entertainment and Enlight Entertainment were prioritized for me.

[139]

I didn't disappoint, delivering hit after hit.

[140]

Finally, I became a famous young actress.

[141]

I was content.

[142]

On my 24th birthday, Caiden suddenly proposed.

[143]

I never dared to dream of marrying him.

[144]

Seeing my bewildered expression, he assured me marriage was my security.

[145]

He also promised our marriage would be secret and not affect my career.

[146]

I was gradually lured by him, willingly letting down all my defenses.

[147]

And the result?

[148]

The one who promised me security pushed me into the abyss.

[149]

He trampled and humiliated me,

[150]

driving me to despair, madness, and hysteria.

[151]

I kept gulping down the alcohol.

[152]

Soon, I was seeing double, and mocking voices echoed in my ears.

[153]

"Oops!

[154]

Noreen Rogers, right?

[155]

Drowning your sorrows in alcohol?"

[156]

I swayed as I looked in the direction of the voice.

[157]

And I saw him.

[158]

Caiden.

[159]

My heart ached with a sharp, unbearable pain.

[160]

Yet, he acted as if nothing had happened.

[161]

Caiden glanced at me indifferently, then turned away, flicking the ash from his cigarette with complete disregard.

[162]

How heartless!

[163]

Was all the kindness he showed me before, everything we shared, just a lie?

[164]

Tears streamed down my face.

[165]

I stepped in front of him, my voice hoarse as I asked,

[166]

"Why are you treating me like this?"

[167]

Caiden's eyes were icy cold, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

[168]

His sycophantic friend eagerly revealed the truth to me, as if seeking praise.

[169]

"Because you stole Jaynie's boyfriend. Caiden got with you just to avenge her.

[170]

Jaynie is Caiden's favorite younger sister, whom he deeply cares about. Of all people, you had to provoke her.

[171]

That's why Caiden lifted you up high, only to push you down,

[172]

so you'd know the pain."

[173]

Jaynie Riley?

[174]

I never imagined I would hear that name again in this lifetime.

[175]

She was my college roommate and an unavoidable nightmare.

[176]

In our sophomore year, Jaynie's mother married into a wealthy family.

[177]

With her mother's new status, Jaynie became a socialite.

[178]

Once her identity was known, every guy on campus pursued her relentlessly.

[179]

Yet, she only had eyes for the campus heartthrob who barely acknowledged her.

[180]

To help her win him over, our entire dorm brainstormed strategies.

[181]

A month later, Jaynie finally got her wish and started dating him.

[182]

However, surprised things happened.

[183]

Less than three days into their relationship, he broke up with her.

[184]

After that, he quietly left for abroad, disappearing without a trace.

[185]

Jaynie, however, bore a deep grudge against me.

[186]

She said, "He got with me just to get close to you.

[187]

Noreen, you both disgust me."

[188]

That was the last thing Jaynie said to me in college.

[189]

From then on, she bullied me for a year.

[190]

I never knew what I did wrong, but I didn't dare confront her and could only endure in silence.

[191]

I thought graduation would free me.

[192]

I never imagined her hatred ran so deep.

[193]

Her stepbrother, in an attempt to calm her anger, manipulated the situation to trap me, only to push me into the abyss.

[194]

Now I understood why.

[195]

Perhaps I was so shocked that I became numb, unable to shed a single tear after the stimulation.

[196]

After a few seconds of contemplation, the urge to give up grew stronger.

[197]

Didn't they want to see me make a fool of myself?

[198]

Then let them see all they want.

[199]

I stood respectfully before Caiden, raising my eyebrows as I called out,

[200]

"Mr. Price, I didn't realize I was offending your sister. I was wrong!

[201]

I apologize to you.

[202]

It was my fault."

[203]

Caiden frowned, giving me a cold, sweeping glance.

[204]

"I taught you before. Apologies should be made with utmost humility."

[205]

4.

[206]

When Caiden said those words, it felt like a dagger had been driven into my heart, shattering it.

[207]

The piercing pain almost stop me from breathing.

[208]

Because long ago, at the Silverleaf Charity Ball, he had said the same thing.

[209]

Only then, it was to help me out of a bind.

[210]

Before the Silverleaf Charity Ball began, my dress was maliciously cut by a makeup artist bribed by Sylvia Ellis, an actress.

[211]

Coincidentally, the brand of my backup dress was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal that day.

[212]

For a female star, a top-tier red carpet event is a battleground for beauty and resources.

[213]

Wearing the wrong dress could ruin my fashion prospects.

[214]

I was a nervous wreck, terrified of making a fool of myself.

[215]

Somehow, Caiden got wind of the situation.

[216]

In less than half an hour, he appeared in my dressing room with a haute couture dress from Ulyana Sergeenko, a prestigious fashion brand known for exclusive designs.

[217]

That night, I stole the show, single-handedly bringing excitement back to the entertainment scene.

[218]

Gossipers gossiped, and fans swooned.

[219]

My fanbase skyrocketed.

[220]

"Wow! Ulyana Sergeenko's haute couture never lends to newcomers.

[221]

Who is Noreen Rogers, and how did she get that dress?"

[222]

"Insider sources say she bought it for three million.

[223]

Whoa!"

[224]

"Isn't this a socialite descending to save the entertainment industry?

[225]

She's both beautiful and wealthy. I'm a fan."

[226]

Some even speculated that I was the rising star of the year 2023.

[227]

In short, I was the center of attention on the red carpet, reported by major media outlets, and became the new darling of fashion.

[228]

Of course, Sylvia, who had plotted against me, didn't fare so well.

[229]

Caiden used his influence to strip her of all resources.

[230]

In just one day, Sylvia was blacklisted in the entertainment business.

[231]

Once you've tasted fame, it's hard to go back to obscurity.

[232]

Sylvia was unwilling.

[233]

So, she humbled herself to apologize to me.

[234]

The night she came to find me, Caiden was there too.

[235]

"Noreen, I was wrong, my intentions were vile. Please, be magnanimous and forgive me.

[236]

If I'm blacklisted, I'm finished."

[237]

Sylvia cried pitifully, but Caiden remained unmoved, staring at her with an oppressive gaze.

[238]

He said,

[239]

"On your knees.

[240]

Apologies should be made with utmost humility."

[241]

I would never forget the shocked and venomous look in Sylvia's eyes.

[242]

She pointed a trembling finger at me, "Noreen Rogers, even if I'm blacklisted forever, I'll never kneel to you!

[243]

Being with someone so dangerous and ruthless, do you think your fate will be any better than mine?

[244]

If you don't believe me,

[245]

just wait and see."

[246]

Sylvia was indeed a jinx, someone whose words seemed to predict misfortune.

[247]

In less than half a year, her prediction for my fate came true.

[248]

Why didn't I believe her sooner?

[249]

Oh, no.

[250]

It was not that I didn't believe her.

[251]

I clearly remembered after she left, I asked Caiden with a trembling voice,

[252]

"Will you treat me like that too?"

[253]

What did he answer?

[254]

He held me on the bed, his long fingers slowly tracing my spine, kissing me leisurely.

[255]

"Never," he said.

[256]

Hence...

[257]

Here came the "never" he promised.

[258]

I hated him to the core.

[259]

I wished I could make him pay for what he'd done.

[260]

How could there be someone so cold-blooded, ruthless, and insidious in this world?

[261]

After deceiving me completely, he even forced me to kneel and apologize!

[262]

Disgusting!

[263]

Absolutely disgusting.

[264]

After he said those words, even his friend was dumbfounded.

[265]

"Wow! Caiden, they say time breeds affection, but you've been...

[266]

Ahem. Ahem. You've been together for a long time, and there's still no spark?"

[267]

"TSK.

[268]

That's my typical Caiden. You are always allergic to love and too cool for feelings."

[269]

"She's so pretty. Are you really going to make her kneel?

[270]

I can't help but feel a bit sorry for her.

[271]

If you really dislike her, maybe..."

[272]

Caiden's gaze was indifferent, even a bit cold.

[273]

"Shut up."

[274]

Phil Saunders, one of his friends, immediately fell silent.

[275]

I glared at Caiden, wishing I could bore a hole through his face with my stare.

[276]

Wasn't he the one insisting I kneel?

[277]

Fine.

[278]

I was not like Sylvia, who had been blacklisted.

[279]

For the sake of survival, I could bend my back to the ground.

[280]

Clenching my fingers, I lifted my chin and asked,

[281]

"If I kneel, will you give me my job back?"

[282]

Caiden's strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me to face him.

[283]

He curled his lips coolly, tilting his head to whisper in my ear,

[284]

"In your dreams."

[285]

5.

[286]

I might not be smart, but I was not a fool either.

[287]

Since Caiden refused to help me turn the public opinion around,

[288]

why should I kneel and beg him for mercy?

[289]

Did he think I was that desperate?

[290]

I looked at him coldly. "Since we can't settle things between us, I won't interrupt Mr. Price's entertainment. You can continue enjoying yourself.

[291]

We have a long future ahead."

[292]

With those, I turned and walked away without looking back.

[293]

I could still faintly hear Phil's voice.

[294]

"Caiden, have you noticed? Noreen seems different now. It looks like you won this round,

[295]

but I can't shake the feeling she's planning to get back at you..."

[296]

After leaving the bar, I wandered aimlessly.

[297]

My mind was already a chaotic mess.

[298]

Between Caiden and me, there has always been a vast difference.

[299]

He was forever the high and mighty heir,

[300]

while I was only an ant for him to toy with.

[301]

I wondered how I could get back at him.

[302]

Lost in thought, I suddenly walked into someone.

[303]

"Hiss!"

[304]

Rubbing my sore nose, I looked up with teary eyes.

[305]

A strikingly handsome and cold face came into view.

[306]

I stared blankly at the man before me.

[307]

His features were sharp and refined.

[308]

His eyes were clear like streams on a snowy mountain, seemingly cold yet chilling to the bone.

[309]

Even in the entertainment business, he could be a top-tier beauty.

[310]

Yet, strangely, his face made me feel familiar.

[311]

Holding my breath, I dared to ask,

[312]

"Excuse me, mister.

[313]

Have we met somewhere before?"

[314]

The man casually curled his lips and replied,

[315]

"I'm Caiden's uncle."

[316]

My heart skipped a beat.

[317]

Why was Caiden everywhere?

[318]

I clenched my fists and turned to leave.

[319]

Wait... I paused my pace.

[320]

Caiden's uncle?

[321]

I realized he was the uncle Caiden often mentioned, Blaine Price.

[322]

Caiden's words suddenly echoed in my mind.

[323]

"My uncle is the true heir of the Price family.

[324]

Compared to him, I'm nothing."

[325]

Therefore, his uncle was...

[326]

the heir of the Price family.

[327]

I snapped back to reality

[328]

and made a bold and outrageous decision.

[329]

I would use Blaine to suppress Caiden.

[330]

I doubted any man would turn down a starlet's advances.

[331]

Fueled by alcohol, I deliberately threw my arms around Blaine's waist.

[332]

I looked up, shyly and timidly asking,

[333]

"Mr. Price, have you ever tried a one-night stand?"

[334]

Blaine's gaze was cold and clear, with a deep probing look.

[335]

"You're drunk.

[336]

I'll have Caiden pick you up."

[337]

Clinging to him as if starved for touch, I said,

[338]

"We...

[339]

We've broken up."

[340]

His brows relaxed, and he lazily glanced at me.

[341]

"I have a meeting at 8:30 P.M.

[342]

Done by 8 P.M."

[343]

I stared at him in confusion, my face full of questions.

[344]

Blaine's voice lifted, carrying a chill,

[345]

"Three hours left.

[346]

Are you waiting for me to make the first move, ehn?"

[347]

Blaine enjoyed drinking tea

[348]

and had quite a knowledge of tea art.

[349]

He leisurely took tender buds from the tea canister, gently stirring them with his long fingers.

[350]

The buds trembled, scattering into the water.

[351]

First, he poured warm water gently. When the buds were fully soaked and bright in color, he suddenly poured in boiling water.

[352]

Perhaps the water was too hot, causing the buds to churn and tremble.

[353]

After several struggles, the fragrance slowly seeped into the air.

[354]

"Another sip?"

[355]

Blaine rubbed my palm, speaking more words unusually.

[356]

I was so exhausted that I couldn't even lift my eyelids.

[357]

I grumbled in a weak tone,

[358]

"Mr. Price...

[359]

I'm so...

[360]

Exhausted."

[361]

Ignoring my whimpering, Blaine firmly held my chin, lifting it.

[362]

"Be good.

[363]

I'll feed you."

[364]

There was no room for refusal.

[365]

The dark color in his eyes grew more intense.

[366]

I felt suffocated.

[367]

I softly begged for mercy.

[368]

Blaine lazily let out a nasal sound by my ear, full of teasing.

[369]

"Such a delicate thing.

[370]

Too fragile."

[371]

7.

[372]

As the night receded like the tide, the orange-red sun shone through the curtains, glaringly bright. I woke up.

[373]

It would be impolite to sleep any longer.

[374]

Rubbing my waist, I struggled to sit up,

[375]

finding my body clean and fresh, wearing a dark silk shirt.

[376]

It was a man's shirt.

[377]

The shirt was loose and wide, just covering my hips.

[378]

Any movement would reveal too much.

[379]

It was too, too suggestive.

[380]

Did Blaine like this?

[381]

My heart jolted, my face growing hotter.

[382]

Barefoot, I opened the door to find Blaine in the living room, in a meeting.

[383]

He sat on the sofa, slender and tall, his white shirt collar slightly open, exuding a sense of restraint. His eyes narrowed slightly in the light, giving him an aloof look.

[384]

With the alcohol's effect gone, facing him again, I felt a bit embarrassed.

[385]

Blaine slowly lifted his eyelids, his gaze landing directly on me.

[386]

I hurriedly turned my face away, not daring to look at him.

[387]

"Come here,"

[388]

he ordered.

[389]

I hadn't even moved when I heard someone on the other end of the computer ask,

[390]

"Mr. Price, are you calling me over?

[391]

Right now?"

[392]

It turned out his meeting hadn't finished.

[393]

Twisting the hem of my shirt, I wanted to escape quickly.

[394]

Blaine, however, calmly replied, "No.

[395]

Just calling the kitten at home to come over for a rub."

[396]

The meeting's sound abruptly stopped.

[397]

His gaze fell on me again, direct and unwavering.

[398]

"Meeting adjourned.

[399]

You are dismissed."