Reborn: Wealth Over Love

The wedding was held at the most luxurious hotel in the city—the Peninsula.

Officially, it was announced as a performance to fulfill an old man's dying wish. Yet, the scale of the ceremony surpassed even the wedding Ethan and I had held back then.

Nearly every influential figure in our circle showed up.

Some came out of curiosity, others to watch the spectacle. In any case, not a single seat was empty.

I wore a black gown and sat at the main table.

I didn't look like a guest at a wedding. I looked more like someone attending a funeral.

The glances around me were filled with mockery and whispered comments.

"Hey, look at Celia. She actually came."

"Isn't she too pathetic? Her husband is about to marry another woman, and she can still sit there?"

"I heard it's for that girl's grandfather—just an act."

"An act? Do you believe that? Look at that diamond ring, that setup. It's no less grand than Celia's wedding back then."

"Shh, keep your voice down…"

I gently swirled the wine in my glass, turning a deaf ear to the chatter around me.

The wedding march began.

The doors opened, and Ethan walked down the red carpet with Sophie on his arm.

Ethan wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, looking strikingly handsome.

Sophie was dressed in the altered million-dollar wedding gown, her face glowing with happiness.

As he passed by me, Ethan slowed his steps slightly. He glanced at me, his expression complicated.

I raised my glass toward him in a distant toast, the corner of my lips lifting in a cold smile.

It was time for the vows.

The officiant asked, "Ethan Hart, do you take Sophie Collins to be your wife, to love her and remain faithful to her, whether in poverty or wealth, in sickness or in health, forever and always?"

The hall fell silent.

Ethan gazed at Sophie with deep emotion and answered loudly, "I do."

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

The officiant turned to Sophie. "Sophie Collins, do you take Ethan Hart to be your husband?"

Sophie was so moved that tears welled in her eyes. Her voice trembled. "I do."

"And…" She paused, lowered her head shyly, and gently placed a hand on her slightly rounded belly.

"I have another piece of good news for everyone. Ethan and I already have a symbol of our love. Today is truly a double celebration."

The moment she finished speaking, the entire hall exploded in uproar.

"My God, she's really pregnant!"

"So this isn't acting at all. She's using this chance to take over!"

"Celia is about to have her face slapped raw, isn't she?"

All eyes instantly turned to me, waiting for me to rush forward and make a scene like a shrew.

Even Ethan on the stage looked flustered.

Clearly, Sophie had not discussed this announcement with him beforehand.

Instinctively, he looked toward me.

I stood up, smoothed the hem of my dress, and walked onto the stage with composure.

I took the microphone from the officiant's hand.

"Congratulations, Ethan and Sophie."

I smiled warmly at them.

"Since it's such a double celebration, then as the lawful wife, I should also present you with a grand gift to add to the joy."

Ethan's face went pale. He lowered his voice urgently. "Celia, don't do anything rash! Whatever it is, we can talk about it at home!"

"Home?" I looked at him with open mockery. "Which home are you talking about? The properties under your name don't seem to belong to you anymore."

"What do you mean?" Ethan froze.

I didn't answer him. I simply raised my hand and snapped my fingers.

Behind us, the massive LED screen flickered.

The images of their sweet wedding photos vanished.

In their place appeared dense rows of financial statements, bank transaction records, and scanned copies of asset transfer agreements.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared at the screen in shock.

In the center, bold letters blazed glaringly: [Ethan Hart— Current total assets: Zero. Current debt: 200 million dollars.]