Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Wedding Chaos.
A beautiful cello melody drifted through the background, the angelic tune radiating deeper and deeper, making the occasion serene and heavenly.
Xylander had entered the hall—an enormous hall that held nearly countless people who had traveled far and wide just to witness the wedding of the number one richest man in the world. Not only New York City, but the whole damn world was watching him tie the knot.
The wedding invitations had been given strictly to selected people. Not just anyone was allowed, and security was tight as a leech, ensuring no assassin or underworld figure could make their way inside to harm the soon-to-be groom, Daniel Lancaster.
Even with the massive crowd seated, hidden media was scattered around. Some carried secret cameras tucked beneath clothing, others disguised them as bulletins or jewelry. To Xylander’s oblivion, every moment of this so-called private wedding was being broadcast live on national television.
Everyone in the city was glued to their screens. What was meant to be a top-secret wedding had exploded into the public eye. And more importantly—everyone was desperate, die-hard curious, to see who the bride was.
So when Xylander walked to the aisle with his two best men, he stood at the edge, hands clasped together, anxious yet proud, waiting for his groom.
Maxine and his family had no clue that this wedding was never supposed to go so public. The hall had been filled only with trusted relatives and dignitaries, but nothing stays hidden under the sun for too long.
Finally, the time came. The cello shifted into a new melody to announce the arrival of the bride. Hidden reporters quickly adjusted their disguised cameras, preparing for the reveal.
Daniel, standing at the grand entrance, stiffened.
It was happening. His moment. From this day, he would no longer be single. From henceforth, this house would be in his name, and the cursed family name of his parents would no longer weigh him down.
It was exhilarating.
"Come, they’re waiting," Alex calmly urged, glancing at Daniel with a reassuring smile.
"Congratulations once more, Dan. I’m glad you took my advice," Alexander added warmly.
Daniel was indeed grateful he had listened. At first, he had been stubborn, but sense eventually returned. This was the only way to survive New York’s dark times, to rise above them.
Nearly lost in his thoughts, Daniel felt Alex tap him gently, urging him forward.
Hand in hand, the two approached the entrance. Guards threw open the doors with practiced force, and light flooded in.
As Daniel walked down the aisle, every eye turned on him. And then—the uproar. Gasps, murmurs, chaos.
The cameras twisted to capture the shocking truth. The bride wasn’t a woman. It was a man.
News exploded across the city. Television stations replayed the scene, tabloids burst with headlines, and social media ignited with frenzy. Everyone was desperate to spin their own story about this scandalous moment.
Most importantly, reporters rushed to uncover Daniel’s identity. When they learned he was the son of a multimillionaire, it only added fuel to the fire.
Daniel heard the murmurs and hushed tones rippling through the crowd. He frowned. Didn’t they know Xylander was marrying a man? Wasn’t it obvious?
Maxine’s warning echoed in his mind: If the marriage gets out, you might lose your company sales, and your future projects will be halted.
Could she have been right all along?
This felt like a setup—someone wanted Xylander to fail. Someone wanted him dethroned as the richest and most successful businessman in the city. And now, all eyes were on them. Daniel had once again been thrust into the worst possible spotlight—especially in a world still so steeped in homophobia.
"You sure that’s a man?" a married woman whispered to her husband, blinking as if her eyes were deceiving her.
Her husband rubbed his eyes furiously, still doubting the figure walking toward the altar.
"What a disgrace," he spat. "How can he do such a thing? Desecrating God’s house like this—it’s forbidden for a reason!" His voice shook with rage.
The murmurs spread. Some stood, ready to end the wedding, when suddenly—
BANG!
A gunshot tore through the hall, silencing everything instantly.
Alexander stood at the back, pistol in hand, glaring daggers at the judgmental fools who dared sabotage the wedding.
"No one moves. No one speaks. Unless your life means nothing to you," he growled.
His voice thundered again: "Say a word against the groom, and I’ll kill you where you stand. Then I’ll bathe your partner in your blood, and nothing—nothing—will happen to me."
The crowd froze. Silence fell. Fear zipped their mouths shut, leaving judgment for the outside world.
Xylander felt pride swell in his chest. Making Alexander his best friend, best man, and bodyguard had been the smartest decision of his life.
Daniel continued his slow walk until he stood before Xylander at the altar.
The priest, expecting a woman, trembled. He wanted to protest, to cry out that this was a sin, but one glance at Alexander’s gun silenced him. His voice shook as he forced himself to continue with the ceremony.
"Will you two be there for each other in thick and thin, in good times or bad, for better or worse?" the priest asked, his eyes darting nervously.
Daniel didn’t answer. He simply stared at Xylander.
Alex nudged him sharply, whispering, "Why aren’t you saying anything?"
Daniel looked around. All eyes were on him. Everyone wanted to know why he hesitated.
He groaned softly. Another oath. Another binding promise. Life and death, heaven and earth—it all felt like a farce. To him, the marriage wasn’t about love. It wasn’t serious enough to warrant heaven-and-earth promises. Still, he told himself, just agree and get on with it.
"My mistake," Daniel finally said. "I will be there with him."
Xylander repeated his vow, and now it was time for the final declaration.
"If anyone here knows of any reason why this union should not go forward, speak now—or forever remain silent," the priest declared.
Xylander and Daniel turned to face the crowd.
No one dared to speak. Not under Alexander’s watchful glare. He was like a predator waiting for prey to fall into his trap, ready to strike.
The hall was silent. The priest was about to continue when—
A voice rang out from the back.
"I do! Everyone—" the voice rose above the silence, bold and unforgiving. "I, Nicole Shelton, have something I’d like to share with you all."
The forbidden words. The ones everyone had been too afraid to utter.