The Billionaire's Backup Bride

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW

I should have been standing at the altar.Instead, I was watching security footage.

The monitor replayed the same scene for what felt like the hundredth time.Isabella walked into the bridal suite.A few minutes later, her makeup artist left then the hairstylist, then her bridesmaids.

But Isabella.......Never came out.I leaned both hands against the conference table, my eyes never leaving the screen.

"Run it again."The technician obeyed without question.The footage restarted,Same hallway,Same door but still same result.

"Sir..."The head of security stepped forward.

"We've searched every floor of the hotel."

"No sign of her?"He lowered his head.

"No, sir."A muscle ticked in my jaw.

"This hotel has over three hundred cameras."

"I know."

"So explain to me how a bride disappears without being seen."No one answered.

Tap.......Tap......Tap.

The sound of a cane striking the marble floor echoed through the suite.I didn't have to turn around because I already knew who it was......My grandfather.

He stopped beside me.

"I warned you."I finally looked at him.

"This isn't the time."

"It is precisely the time."His voice was calm, but that made it worse.He wasn't angry,He had already made up his mind.

"The board has been informed."I frowned.

"What?"

"If today's wedding does not take place..."He met my eyes.

"...your position as Chief Executive Officer will be reviewed immediately."Liam let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Reviewed?"Grandpa didn't even glance at him.

"Victor will assume control until the board reaches a final decision."I looked away.

Victor??My cousin had spent years trying to prove I wasn't worthy of leading Kingsley Group.Today was the opportunity he'd been waiting for.

"This is ridiculous," I said.

"My bride disappears, and somehow I'm the one being punished?"His expression didn't change.

"You are not being punished."

"You are being tested."I laughed bitterly.

"By losing everything?"

"If you cannot protect your own future..."He paused.

"...how can you protect this family's future?"The room fell silent again.

Liam finally broke the silence.

"So..."He rubbed the back of his neck.

"What's the backup plan?"

"There isn't one," I answered.

"There has to be."

"There isn't."He started pacing.

"We're running out of time."

"I know."

"The guests are already talking."

"I know."

"The press is outside."

"I know."He stopped in front of me.

"Then think."I closed my eyes.For the first time in years...I had no solution.

Then......A memory surfaced.

The young woman kneeling on the marble floor.Broken champagne glasses scattered around her.nstead of blaming the waitress who dropped the tray, she smiled.

"It's okay."

"We're a team."Later...She walked into this very room carrying the marriage documents.

She hadn't stared at me like the way other girls had.She hadn't tried to impress me....She'd simply done her job.Even when everyone around her was panicking...She stayed calm.

My eyes opened.Liam noticed immediately.

"You've got an idea."I reached for my jacket.

"It's not a good one."He grinned.

"Those are usually your best ideas."I slipped my arms into the sleeves while Grandpa watched me carefully.

"What are you going to do?"I fastened the first button.

"What I have to."Without another word, I walked out of the suite.The hallway buzzed with anxious employees pretending everything was under control.

It wasn't,Nothing was.As the elevator doors opened onto the ballroom level, the noise hit me all at once.Guests whispered behind champagne glasses.

Reporters crowded the entrance,The musicians stood awkwardly beside the stage, unsure whether they were supposed to keep playing.

Then.......I saw her.She was standing near the head table, carefully adjusting a crooked centerpiece while another employee apologized for knocking it over.

"It's fine," Naomi said with a reassuring smile.

"We still have time."She fixed the flowers herself.

I stared at her for a long moment then I started walking.She noticed me when I was only a few feet away and her smile faded into confusion.

"Mr. Kingsley?"I stopped in front of her.

"I need your help."She blinked.

"My... help?"

"Yes."

"With what?"I looked straight into her eyes.

"Marry me."