Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 187

Magnus and his wife took their son and daughter-in-law around the room to greet the guests and offer toasts. Father Benedict, never one to enjoy being the center of attention, slipped away to the lounge, hoping for a moment of peace.

That left only Stellan, Sunny, and Zara at the main table.

Caleb and a few friends strolled over, glasses in hand. "Boss Lawson, Mrs. Lawson, congratulations!"

Alexander, for his part, had underestimated just how serious Stellan was about Sunny. He raised his glass. "Mrs. Lawson, I'd like to toast you."

Sunny could sense Alexander didn't really approve of her—probably thought she wasn't good enough for Stellan. She never felt inferior, though; she simply recognized the gap in their backgrounds. And since Alexander was Vicky's boyfriend, she was willing to be gracious.

Her own glass was filled with juice. Just as she reached for it, Stellan gently blocked her hand.

"If you're really toasting my wife," he drawled, a hint of challenge in his voice, "then you can finish the drink yourself."

Alexander was speechless. Typical Stellan—stingy as ever. Never mind that Alexander had once done him a favor.

With a resigned sigh, Alexander downed his drink in one swallow.

Julian, following behind, was quicker on the uptake. "Mrs. Lawson, I'll drink the whole thing. You don't have to."

Stellan looked pleased, his eyes sliding over to Caleb. "Your turn, Dr. Mitchell."

Caleb grinned, raising his glass with a flourish. "To Mrs. Lawson—wishing you and Mr. Stellan a lifetime of happiness and love everlasting!"

Alexander and Julian exchanged glances. Caleb really was the most shameless flatterer among them.

Zara rolled her eyes at Caleb's theatrics, lips pursed in mock annoyance.

After the guys left, a few more guests who had been watching their table saw the chance to curry favor with Stellan and began lining up to offer toasts. Soon enough, the wedding reception took on a bit of a farcical air.

Tristan was making the rounds, moving from table to table, while the other guests queued up at Stellan's table, eager to make his acquaintance. The contrast was obvious.

Tristan couldn't take it anymore. He leaned over to Magnus, irritation clear in his voice. "Dad, did Uncle Stellan come today just to upstage me?"

Magnus sighed inwardly. "Can't you see? Those people want something from your uncle."

Tristan only grew more frustrated. "Fine. There are plenty of tables left. Let's keep going."

At first, only two or three people came to toast Sunny. But as more and more arrived, she felt increasingly exasperated. She was pretty sure she'd used up a lifetime of fake smiles in just one afternoon.

Stellan noticed her discomfort, watching as she wrinkled her nose in silent protest. He immediately caught on.

"That's enough," he said, turning to the crowd. "You can all come to my wedding and toast me there instead. For now, let's call it a night."

"There are too many of you; you're scaring my wife."

Sunny nearly choked on her juice. For a split second, she wished she could poison Stellan's tongue.

Awkwardly, she laughed it off. "No, no, he's just joking with you all."

Zara, barely suppressing her own laughter, shot Sunny a look. "Sunny, my uncle Stellan really doesn't know when to quit."

If she weren't Sunny's best friend, she would never have seen this mischievous side of Uncle Stellan.

The crowd around their table was so thick that Sean had a tough time squeezing through. When the throng finally dispersed, he seized the opportunity to chat with his new son-in-law.

Sean's eyes crinkled with delight. "Sunny, you didn't tell your old man you were getting married! Such a big thing to keep secret."

She couldn't care less if Carrington Technologies went under. In fact, she'd be glad if it did.

"And what about you?" Stellan teased, "Do you want to take advantage of me, too?"

The two of them flirted openly, oblivious to poor Zara's presence. She should've been under a car somewhere, not stuck at this table!

"Alright, enough teasing," Stellan said at last. "Do you want to stick around, or should we head home?"

Sunny pursed her lips. "Aren't you going to give your family an explanation?"

Grandpa Lawson hadn't exactly looked pleased earlier. Neither had Uncle Lawson and his wife.

"There's no need. Marrying you is between us—it's nobody else's business."

On anyone else, those words might've sounded arrogant. Marriage is supposed to be about two families, not just two people. But Stellan had the confidence to back it up.

"Let's go," he said, slipping his arm around her waist. "Let's go home."

"Zara, let your grandfather know we're heading out, will you?"

Zara sighed, resigned to her fate. "Sure, Uncle Stellan. Can I claim worker's comp for this?"

Without missing a beat, Stellan sent another digital transfer—six hundred sixty-six thousand, six hundred sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents.

"Collect your payment," he said.

Zara beamed. "Thanks, Uncle Stellan! Leave the rest to me!"