Aria immediately became tongue-tied. This was not what she had expected.
He looked nothing like what the media and the Dawsons had described. She didn't know anything about his personality yet, but one thing was certain
He was definitely not an ugly, middle-aged man.
What she didn't know was that the two women behind her were already fuming with anger, ready to explode at any moment.
Vanessa and Tiffany were completely stunned.
They had never expected Adrian to be this handsome.
The media had clearly lied.
Vanessa's expression darkened slightly.
She couldn't believe she had given up a man like this for her daughter.
Regret slowly crept into her heart.
Beside her, Tiffany was completely mesmerized.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Adrian, unable to look away.
A sudden desire rose within her.
She wanted him.
He was supposed to be hers, not Aria's.
Jealousy and hatred filled her heart instantly.
"Mr. Adrian, it's a great pleasure that our families will be joined together today."
Richard Dawson spoke nervously as he stepped forward and stretched out his hand.
Adrian accepted the handshake without expression.
"This is my wife, my son, and my two daughters Tiffany and Aria… your wife-to-be," Richard added with a proud smile.
Adrian didn't even spare Aria a glance.
"I don't care," he said coldly. "Let's get this over with."
Then he walked straight into the registry.
His words left the Dawson family stunned.
They hadn't expected him to be this rude.
Old Man Sterling and Butler Ian exchanged glances, both shaking their heads slightly.
Aria's heart skipped painfully.
What had she been expecting?
This was never going to be anything but a loveless marriage.
Inside the registry, both families stood as witnesses while the registrar placed the marriage documents on the table.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
He picked up the pen and signed immediately.
When it was Aria's turn, her hand trembled uncontrollably.
It felt like she was signing her own death sentence.
Behind her, Tiffany suddenly grabbed Vanessa's hand in panic, shaking her head desperately.
Vanessa understood immediately.
She didn't want Aria to sign.Her daughter already liked Adrian.
But it was too late.
If they stopped this now, everything would collapse, the deal, the company, everything.
There was nothing she could do.
All she could do was watch as this 'wretched girl' married the man meant for her daughter.
Vanessa gently rubbed Tiffany's hand, trying to calm her.
Meanwhile, Noah stood quietly to the side, his small hands clenched.
He hated all of this.
His heart ached seeing the sadness in Aria's eyes… and even more seeing the disgust on the man's face as he looked at her.
He wished, with all his heart, that he could save her from this tall monster.
After a few seconds Aria finally signed. When they were asked to take a picture together, they stood side by side without moving closer.
Neither of them smiled. The tension between them was suffocating. Even the photographer didn't bother asking them to adjust. He could already tell what kind of marriage this is.
Outside the registry....
Aria stared down at the marriage certificate in her hands.
Disbelief filled her eyes.
She was married.
Legally bound to a man who didn't even care about her.
If someone had told her this a month ago, she would have never believed it.
"Both of you should ride together," Old Man Sterling said. "It's a good chance to get to know each other better right?"
Both families agreed immediately.
Aria looked up slowly. She didn't want to go with him.
And it was obvious he didn't want it either.
Old Man Sterling gestured to her.
"Go with your husband," he said with a faint smile before turning away and heading toward his car with Butler Ian.