Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 76

"They're here! Look, up there in the black dress— isn't that Sunny?"

In an instant, every pair of eyes in the room locked onto the staircase descending slowly from the main stage.

Sunny emerged in a deep emerald velvet gown. Her long hair was swept up in an elegant twist, a single pearl necklace graced her collarbone, and a stark white bandage was wrapped around her shoulder.

"What kind of look is that? I've never seen a bride show up like this!"

"Unbelievable. I heard Miss Sunny lost her mother at three, but even without someone to teach her, this is just... disgraceful."

"Heh, well, this circus is about to get interesting."

Tristan's expression darkened the moment he caught sight of the long-absent woman—especially her attire.

He hurried onto the stage, hissing under his breath, "Sunny, it's bad enough you're late! But what are you wearing? People who know might say you're here to get married, but anyone else would think you're here for a funeral!"

Sunny's lips curled in a half-smile. "Relax. On the day of your funeral, I promise I'll dress even better than this. How's that?"

"You—!" Tristan's eyes flashed with anger, but he was painfully aware of the influential families gathered at the Capital's grandest venue tonight.

He couldn't risk disgracing the Lawson family on this day of all days.

"That's enough. Stop making a scene, Sunny. Be good. The ceremony is about to begin—whatever you want to say, wait until after."

He reached out to take her arm, but Sunny sidestepped, neatly avoiding his touch.

"Sunny, what's that supposed to mean?"

There was a biting chill in her smile. "Aren't you so fond of your little sister?"

"Look, she's right there in the crowd—biting her lip so hard, she's about to draw blood."

"I'm a generous person, Tristan. Since we've had our time together, let me give you a proposal you'll never forget."

Tristan's heart skipped a beat.

"Sunny, what are you trying to do?"

Before he could finish, the banquet hall's lights cut out. Suddenly, the screen behind the stage flickered to life.

"My little princess, my precious Luna, today's your sixteenth birthday. Happy birthday, sweetheart. Big brother will always be here for you."

On the big screen, the camera focused on Luna's young, innocent face.

She blushed, closing her eyes in front of the birthday candles, silently making a wish.

A full minute passed before she finally blew them out.

Tristan's voice sounded again, soft and gentle. "Luna, darling, tell your big brother—what did you wish for?"

"Brother, if I say it out loud, it won't come true!"

"Silly girl, if you don't tell me, how can I help make it happen?"

"I wished... I wished I could be your wife! I don't want anyone else to marry you, Tristan. When I'm grown up, can I be your wife?"

The hall erupted—gasps, whispers, chaos.

What on earth? Isn't this supposed to be the Lawson and Carrington wedding?

Sunny watched them calmly, a flicker of vengeful satisfaction in her eyes.

Oh, Luna wanted to be the untouchable angel? Sunny was going to rip that mask off, piece by piece.

Suddenly, the banquet hall doors swung open.

Stellan entered, a faint smile on his lips and his dark, fathomless gaze fixed on Sunny's radiant face.

He made his way toward the stage, barely able to contain his excitement.

Guests soon noticed Mr. Stellan's arrival.

"Oh no, it's over. Carrington's daughter is making a scene—Mr. Stellan's going to lose it."

"Yeah, everyone knows he cares most about the Lawson family's reputation. He's a stickler for tradition. Who knows how this wedding's going to end?"

But the man on stage was surprisingly calm.

Stellan's deep gaze swept the room before he raised a glass—no one knew where he'd gotten it—and held it high.

"Let's wish my dear niece and nephew everlasting happiness!"

...

Sunny stared at him in disbelief, watching that cool, faint smile curve on his lips.

So much for everlasting happiness.

This was death by a thousand cuts.