Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 77

The room erupted into chaos.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Did this wedding just turn into a proposal? Are they swapping brides right now?"

"Can you blame them, though? Mr. Lawson's always had a thing for his own sister. Sure, they say he took in his late friend's daughter, but let's be honest—it's the oldest arranged marriage trick in the book."

"Did you see the video? The Lawson's adopted daughter is only sixteen. This is just uncomfortable to watch."

The whispers and speculation, no matter how hushed, found their way straight to Abbot's ears.

Standing beside him, someone watched as Abbot's face twitched, his breath coming short and fast—he looked ready to pass out.

"That damn boy! He'll be the death of me!"

Zara, unsure whether her grandfather was cursing at her cousin Tristan or her uncle Stellan, quietly gave her best friend an invisible thumbs-up. With swift precision, she popped the little heart pill into her grandfather's mouth.

"Grandpa, please don't get so worked up. It's not worth it for your health. Are you feeling alright? Do you want me to press your pressure points?"

Her gentle concern only made the veins at Abbot's temple throb more visibly.

"Zara, did you know about this?" he demanded, the pill still under his tongue, glaring at her.

Zara hastily defended herself. "How could I possibly know? Grandpa, if Tristan's messed things up, you can't blame me for it!"

No way was she going to take the fall for Tristan.

Luna stood pale as a ghost, biting her lip, completely at a loss.

Her adoptive mother Annabelle was just a step away. Luna glanced at her timidly, the corners of her eyes red. "Mom…"

"Shut your mouth!" Annabelle snapped, shooting her a venomous glare.

Magnus and his wife were equally blindsided by the sudden turn of events. They'd known Sunny wanted to call off the wedding, but the Lawsons had assured them everything would go on as planned. Now, with the scandal unfolding for all to see, they had no idea how to salvage the situation.

Especially after Stellan's public "blessing" to his niece and nephew—he'd basically confirmed every ugly rumor out there.

"Well, I'm here now. Are you not satisfied?"

Sean's eyes were icy, his anger simmering like a volcano about to erupt.

He raised his hand, ready to strike, but someone caught his arm mid-air.

From beneath the cuff of Stellan's shirt, a strong, sinewy wrist emerged, veins prominent. Stellan's dark, unfathomable gaze met Sean's, cool and unhurried. "Sean, what do you think you're doing?"

Sean was a whole generation older, but Stellan's commanding presence was hard to ignore. For a moment, Sean faltered.

He lowered his hand, his tone tinged with irritation. "Can't I discipline my own daughter?"

Stellan's lips were cold and unyielding. "Sunny's the one who's been wronged here. What exactly do you think you're punishing her for?"

Both families went pale at his words.

Stellan had just called out the truth behind the farce for everyone to see.