3 I do!

Nora shook her head, "It was reported that they offended some stronger power abroad."

With her gaze still on Aiden, she whispered under her breath, "What a strange coincidence," feeling there was more than meets the eyes.

Meanwhile, Chairman Clinton looked towards the altar and saw his dearest grandson walking down the stairs with a smile on his lips.

"Child," the old man called, looking very emotional. "You–"

"Don't be like that, you look like a child crying for candy. I won't die because of a rejection. This grandson of yours is happy." He indeed looked happy. He hugged his grandfather's arm and shook it lightly.

"You punk, do you still have the heart to be so relaxed? You just got rejected by your childhood lover! You got publicly humiliated, again! Do you still know what honor means to a man?"

Aiden chuckled, "Grandpa, don't take such things to heart. If she didn't want to marry me, then she wouldn't. Forcing her to be with me would make her miserable."

With the old man's face replaced with determination, he declared. "I'll find you a better wife, a good woman who would– "

"Grandpa, do you want a wife for your grandson? Then look no further. I'll marry him!"

It was as if the spirit of silence swept through the hall. Everyone simultaneously focused their sights on Alexa who was already on her feet, beaming sweetly. Nora was shocked at first but immediately pulled herself together and quickly yanked Alexa back down.

"What are you doing?" She whispered, feeling antsy. Everyone was looking their way. The Clintons were already angry and were probably looking for a new target to take their frustrations out on.

"I'm getting married," Alexa almost blinded Nora with her confident smile. She pulled Nora's hand away and got up. "Don't worry, if I anger them and they retaliate against you, I won't let you live on the street." She promised and winked before leaving.

Nora stifled a laugh. Right, she wasn't supposed to be laughing at her possible homelessness, but this unbridled friend of hers was something else.

"I will marry Mr. Aiden," She maintained her cheeky smile as she made her way into the crowd.

"Good morning, Grandpa Clinton, please, will you allow me to marry your beloved grandson? I shall be a good wife. I shall serve him all my life and would only do things for his benefit. I shall hate who he hates and love who he loves. I shall obey him and be loyal to him. If I fail my promise, let Aiden divorce me without alimony… I also don't mind signing a contract."

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Aaron frowned deeply. As the first grandson and potential heir to the Clinton empire, he felt it was his responsibility to protect his family from threats. Who was this weird woman who appeared out of nowhere?

"My name is Alexa, I'll be Aiden's wife… of course, if Grandpa agrees."

"What?"

"What nonsense are you spitting?" Panicking, Monica shifted her gaze to Aiden and queried with disbelief. "Aiden, were you cheating on me all this while?"

Alexa never claimed she and Aiden knew each other before now, but Monica was already trying to change the narrative. If she's allowed to continue her nonsense, Aiden would become the cheating scumbag instead of Monica.

Alexa shifted her gaze from Monica to Aiden. As expected, Aiden had no intention of refuting Monica. If he wanted the cheater label stuck to his back, Alexa didn't want to be known as a mistress.

She coughed into her fist and said sheepishly. "Ehm… Technically, we aren't dating but I've always loved him all my life. So, you can't accuse him of cheating."

"Do you think I'd believe that bullshit?!" Monica yelled.

Pretending to be startled by her fierce cry, Alexa moved behind Aiden as though she was scared that she might be hit. "Why are you yelling?" Alexa asked meekly, almost as a whisper, "I thought you don't want him anymore?" she pouted and murmured almost inaudibly, "who cares about what you believe anyway."

"Stop your nonsense!" Aaron snapped. "Young lady, you overstepped your boundaries but because today is my brother's wedding day, I'll give you the chance to leave this place at once!"

Alexa clumsily tugged at Aiden's overcoat. When he glanced down at her face, she blinked her artificial long lashes and the stinging tears rolled down her cheeks. As though she felt embarrassed, she bit her lip and lowered her head, probably to avoid his deadpan face. A few seconds later, she looked up at him and announced.

"I – I don't want to go." The edges of her lips downturned. "Since Miss Monica doesn't want to marry you and Grandfather is upset about the unfortunate situation, can– can I propose marriage to you instead? I promise to treat you well and take proper care of you," Her round eyes made her look extremely innocent and cute.

As Aiden kept on observing her face and behavior, he saw nothing but a cute doll that it was almost hard to turn away from. The corner of his lips raised in amusement. "Grandfather, I think– "

Before Aiden could finish, Mrs. Wilfred cut in, deliberately preventing Aiden from finishing his statement.

"Who allowed such a shameless gold digging slut into this place?"

A glint flashed past Alexa's eyes and she suddenly fired back, almost losing her cool. "Language, ma'am!" sensing Aiden's gaze on her, she toned down her voice and smiled with lips sealed.

"My grandparents taught me that vulgarity is no virtue. A virtuous woman is kind with her words. A woman who is vulgar lacks class as it reflects through her manner of speech. I'm offended by your choice of words, ma'am. And you should apologize for maligning my character."

Speaking to Mrs. Wilfred in that manner not only angered the Clintons, it caused a few angry voices to talk over each other in the guest area.

"How dare you!" Mrs. Wilfred raised her hand, ready to land a slap across Alexa's face but before her hand could fall, a thunderous roar erupted.

"Impudence!"