Chapter 11 The Groom Will Never Come
Night had fallen over the construction site.
Powerful floodlights illuminated the vast property that had echoed with the roar of machinery since sunrise.
Even though the sun had set hours ago, the work never stopped for a single second. Excavators continued digging into the earth. Cranes kept lifting steel frameworks into place, while trucks loaded with construction materials moved in and out without pause.
Beside his black SUV, Revan stood calmly. One hand rested inside his pocket while the other held a glass of red wine. He slowly swirled the crimson liquid before taking a small sip.
His eyes never left the construction site.
With every steel beam raised into place, the fortress moved one step closer to becoming reality.
Twenty-three days remained.
Time continued to slip away.
The sound of another car pulling up, followed by approaching footsteps, did not make Revan turn around.
Aston stopped a few steps beside him. "Sir."
"How are tomorrow's preparations coming along?" Revan asked calmly.
"Exactly as you predicted."
Aston smiled faintly. "Miss Teressa contacted the hotel immediately after leaving the construction site. The wedding has officially been moved up to tomorrow afternoon."
Revan gave a slow nod, as though he had expected nothing less.
"They really don't want to give you any chance to change your mind."
Revan took another sip of wine. "They're afraid of losing something they never truly had."
Aston watched the heavy machinery continue its work. "Forgive me, Sir... but I still don't understand."
"What don't you understand?"
"Are you really going to marry Miss Teressa tomorrow?"
For the first time that night, Revan smiled.
It wasn't a smile of happiness.
It was the kind of smile that sent a chill crawling down Aston's spine.
"Marry her?" Revan let out a quiet chuckle. "Of course not."
Aston frowned. "Then why did you agree?"
Revan raised his wineglass toward the floodlights, watching the crimson reflections shimmer across its surface. "Because tomorrow..." His voice was calm. "I want them all gathered in one place."
Aston's expression slowly changed.
Without the slightest shift in expression, Revan continued. "While they're busy waiting for the groom to arrive, I'll give them a gift they'll never forget."
Aston immediately understood.
The corners of his lips slowly lifted.
"Is everything ready?" Revan asked.
Aston nodded firmly. "Ready, Sir. Tomorrow you just need to give the order."
"Good." Revan finished the last sip of wine. "Tomorrow will be the happiest day of Teressa's life."
He paused briefly. "Then, a few minutes later, it will become the most devastating."
Revan handed the empty glass to Aston. "Make sure nothing interferes with tomorrow's performance."
"Yes, Sir," Aston replied as he accepted the empty glass.
The following morning.
Warm sunlight streamed through the windows of a luxury hotel suite that had been transformed into a bridal dressing room.
A white wedding gown hung in the corner.
Jewelry boxes, high heels, and an assortment of makeup filled the long vanity in front of the mirror.
Yet the owner of the gown hadn't put it on.
Instead, Teressa stood by the window with a radiant smile on her face.
A pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
Billy rested his chin on her shoulder. "Still nervous?" he whispered.
Teressa gently shook her head. "I'm not nervous." The corners of her lips lifted. "I just never imagined everything would go this smoothly."
Billy let out a soft chuckle. "Revan really is a fool."
Teressa smiled as well. "He agreed to move the wedding to today without the slightest hesitation. I thought he'd refuse."
Billy brushed a brief kiss against her temple. "That's exactly what makes me even more certain."
"Certain of what?"
"He has absolutely no idea what's happening." Billy shifted his gaze toward the skyline visible beyond the window. "Today, you'll officially become Revan's wife."
Teressa nodded. "And after one year..."
Billy finished her sentence. "Every one of his personal assets will belong to you."
A satisfied smile spread across Teressa's face. "Not just that." She turned to look at Billy. "If everything goes according to plan, sooner or later Sterling Group will belong to us as well."
Billy nodded slowly. "That has always been our goal."
They looked at one another, as though the future was already within their grasp.
A knock at the door interrupted the moment, and they quickly stepped apart.
Billy straightened his suit while Teressa took a deep breath before opening the door.
Her parents were already standing outside, smiling.
Her mother entered first. "Darling..." Her eyes sparkled as she looked at her daughter. "In just a little while, you'll become Mrs. Sterling."
Teressa smiled proudly.
Her father stepped inside as well. His eyes briefly settled on Billy, who was still inside the room. Instead of showing anger, the middle-aged man merely sighed. "You two still can't seem to keep your distance."
Billy simply smiled.
"Dad..." Teressa protested playfully.
The older man shook his head. "I don't care what the two of you have been doing."
His voice became serious. "But remember one thing." His gaze moved from one of them to the other. "Today will decide our family's future."
His expression hardened. "Don't make even the smallest mistake."
Billy nodded firmly. "Of course, Uncle."
Teressa slipped her arm around her father's with complete confidence.
"Don't worry." She smiled. "By the end of today... everything will belong to us."
A short while later, the door was knocked on once more before opening.
A makeup artist and a hairstylist entered, greeting the bride-to-be with warm smiles.
"Miss Gringer, are you ready?"
"Yes, I am."
The two women helped Teressa into her wedding gown before beginning her makeup and hair.
Meanwhile, Billy left the suite with Teressa's parents.
He straightened his suit one last time before walking away.
The smile of victory never left his face.
In his mind, only a few more minutes remained before Revan officially became Teressa's husband.
After that...
The rest of their plan would only be a matter of time.
Not a single person in that hotel realized, the groom they were waiting for had no intention of coming at all.
