Chapter 6

Chapter 6:

Time slipped away, and the wedding day loomed ever closer.

After the engagement, Ellie and Theo plunged headfirst into a whirlwind of romance—dinners under candlelight, long drives through the city, and an extravagant Valentine’s celebration. Meanwhile, Gracie hadn’t heard from Brayden since that brief, measured conversation in his study. She buried herself in research instead, finding solace in the quiet hum of her laboratory.

After several rounds of negotiation, the two families agreed to host both weddings on the same day—a grand double ceremony designed to dazzle society.

The night before the wedding, a pristine white gown and a box of glittering accessories arrived at Gracie’s door, all carefully prepared and sent by Brayden’s assistant.

As promised, Brayden maintained the facade in public, presenting her with all the poise and reverence her title demanded.

“Ms. Sullivan,” Charlie Willis, the assistant, said with a respectful nod. “This is a bespoke haute couture gown Mr. Brayden Stanley commissioned three months ago. And these are rare blue diamonds, handcrafted by a master jeweler from a centuries-old atelier and personally selected by him p>

The gown shimmered under the light, the necklace catching glimmers like captured starlight.

Gracie merely curved her lips into a serene smile. “Thank you,” she said softly, her tone calm, unshaken by the grandeur before her.

Brayden’s earnestness couldn’t be denied. As long as she upheld their agreement, she figured, he would keep his end of the bargain.

Once Charlie left, Gracie turned back and found Ellie lingering in the living room.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Ellie said with a faint edge of envy glinting in her eyes. “Marrying Brayden definitely puts you above the rest p>

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Recalling all that Ellie had done in her previous life, Gracie saw no point in engaging with someone so small-minded. Her voice remained calm and cool. “You and Theo seem to get along well. I doubt he’ll cut corners. Every detail of the gown and accessories must be selected with thoughtful precision p>

In their previous life, Theo had hidden behind a flawless facade, revealing his true nature only three months after their marriage. Before that wedding, the gown and jewelry he had arranged for her, while modest compared to what Brayden had given her in this life, were still of respectable quality.

Even so, Gracie’s calm remark cut deep into Ellie’s pride. Theo had reasoned that since both weddings were to be held on the same day—and Brayden was the family heir—it wouldn’t be proper for theirs to appear more extravagant.

Though Ellie’s gown and accessories were elegant enough, beside Gracie’s dazzling ensemble, they seemed dull and inferior.

“Feeling proud of yourself, are you?” Ellie curled her lips into a spiteful smile, her eyes gleaming darkly. “Don’t get too cozy p>

In their previous life, she had destroyed Brayden, leaving him scarred and crippled.

Now she convinced herself that with Theo’s love, she could lift him to the position of heir.

Gracie gave only a mild nod, unwilling to waste another word, and brushed past Ellie with quiet grace.

At four in the morning, the makeup team showed up. Gracie and Ellie were assigned to separate rooms to get ready.

Having spent the entire night absorbed in her research, Gracie had barely caught an hour of sleep. Even as the stylist unpacked her brushes and palettes, her thoughts lingered on a single line of data looping in her mind.

“That’s strange,” the makeup artist muttered, frowning as she twisted open a tube. “This lipstick looks off. Could it be expired p>

“Doubtful,” the assistant stammered, her tone edged with unease. “I think it’s just how it is. We’re running out of time—let’s use a different shade for her instead p>

The makeup artist, unconcerned, reached for another tube and leaned closer to Gracie’s lips.

“Hold on,” Gracie interjected, lifting a hand to stop her. “Let me take a look at that lipstick first p>

Her gaze shifted toward the assistant, and for a split second, she caught the flicker of panic flashing across her face.

The makeup artist passed the lipstick to Gracie. “It does look odd, but maybe that’s just how this brand is. Good thing we’ve got a few backups p>

The assistant added quickly, “Right, we’ll save this one in case we need to touch up during the ceremony p>