Chapter62The Reputed Bride, The Ailing Groom, A Perfect Match
The moment Margaret spoke, Paige noticed the strained smile on her face, she forced to maintain a facade.
Paige understood all too well that Margaret’s awkwardness stemmed from the fact that Paige was married to the disabled heir of the Carnegie family, Raymond. Had Paige been married to an ordinary disabled man with an average salary, Margaret's expression would have told a different story.
With a provocative glance, Paige stared down Xena, knowing that while the elderly Sackler matriarch might maintain her composure while uttering those words, Xena was likely not as skilled in keeping her emotions in check.
Louis was the man Xena had wanted to marry, having even selected her wedding dress. Being told now that her wedding was off, Xena certainly couldn't accept it willingly.
Xena glanced at Paige before exclaiming, "Grandma, how can you do this? Louis and I are in love. We had everything set; even our wedding attires had been chosen. How can you cancel our wedding? Grandma, Paige isn't even a true member of the Sackler family. Why should her getting married prevent me from being with Louis?"
Crying, Xena held Margaret's hand, desperately hoping that her beloved grandma would intervene and save the wedding.
Margaret gripped Xena's hand tightly, trying to signal her to calm down.
But Xena was beyond noticing such cues.
"Grandma, won't you help me?" she pleaded.
Disappointed, Xena let go of Margaret's hand and appealed to Bradley for support.
“Grandpa, Louis and I love each other, too. How could we be separated just because of Paige? Grandpa, Paige... she’s honestly not a member of our family. We had that DNA test ages ago, and it showed that she wasn’t..." Xena was letting family skeletons out without care when Margaret stepped forward and slapped her across the face with a sharp ‘smack’.”
"Xena, enough! There's no marital bond between you and Louis. Stop spouting nonsense. We are still relatives with his family. Remember your place."
Sharp as ever, Margaret knew it didn't matter how she personally viewed Paige's status; Paige was now married to Raymond, a member of the Carnegie family, recognized by Bradley as his daughter-in-law. That title alone guaranteed Paige a position of respect and prestige throughout Northwind.
Margaret couldn't afford to gravely offend Paige now. Otherwise, it might even bring trouble to the Sackler conglomerate.
But despite Margaret's clear thinking, Xena remained fixated on marrying Louis.
After receiving the slap, Xena held her cheek, looking at her grandmother in disbelief. "Grandma, did you hit me? Aren't I your favorite? This is all Paige's fault. She deliberately married Raymond to cut my ties with Louis. She did it on purpose. She just..."
As Xena's accusations grew more unpleasant, Bradley cut her off, "Raymond and Paige's marriage was my decision. In a way, it was destiny. When they wed, I didn’t realize her last name had anything to do with your family. Paige is a good girl; when she married Raymond, she was unaware of his identity.
“Today, everything about their backgrounds was revealed. If Madam Sackler feels that my son, with his disabilities, is unworthy of Paige, well, the marriage certificate is already signed, and at this point, Paige is the one who’s getting the short end of the stick.
“But rest assured, Madam, our Carnegie family will take good care of Paige from now on. I’ve already instructed to have half of my Hawk Corporation shares be transferred to Paige’s name.”
Bradley's words sent a shock through the room.
Francesca's composure crumbled along with everyone else's.
Was half of Bradley's shares in Hawke Corporation just given to Paige? Did that mean Paige owned more shares than Francesca?
Margaret had never anticipated Bradley's favoritism towards Paige. Forcing a cheer, she commented, "Bradley, you're too kind. Paige was raised in the countryside, and our family pursuing the illustrious Raymond was a stretch—it's Paige who isn’t worthy of them."
With those words, Margaret not only saved face for Bradley but also subtly claimed Paige, redefining the connection between the two families as in-laws.
Raymond was well aware of the Sackler family's schemes. Though the marriage between Xena and Louis failed to materialize, now that Paige had joined their family, she could still be of use.
"People say my wife has a past, and I'm disabled," Raymond stated in a calm, indifferent tone. "She has her reputation, and I have my health issues. In a way, we're a perfect match—no one is climbing social ladders here. Once, she was alone, but from now on, the Carnegies will be her bedrock."
Margaret was taken aback by Raymond's vigorous defense of Paige, which was a clear signal to the Sacklers to back off.
The old lady had never predicted Paige would land such a fortunate match and could only accept it.
With a huge grin, she said, "Paige's past may have been difficult, but now, I hope Raymond will take good care of her."
"I will take care of my wife," Raymond declared. "But moving forward, I expect no more gossip about her past identity."
Raymond's blatant protection of Paige drew curious glances from her.
Paige was weighing her marriage with Raymond—it all seemed hasty.
Now, standing as part of the Carnegie legacy, she thought her pursuit of this marriage was a stretch. Did Raymond truly care for her that much?
Regardless of Raymond's current thoughts or her plans for their future, the pressing issue was unity against outside judgment. Seeing Margaret's and Xena's expressions that day gave Paige a sense of satisfaction.
Paige and Raymond were already married by law, their union sealed with certificates and vows.
As for Louis and Xena's broken engagement, the elders had taken control, deciding their fates without question.
Yet Xena was not one to give up her dreams so easily. Clutching Louis's arm, she tried to reignite a spark of hope within him.
"Louis, can you honestly bear to part from me?" she implored. "If we are not to be married, what do all these years together even mean?"
Louis was notably out of sorts that day. No matter how messy the circumstances were becoming, it was clear he was the one who was hurting most.
Xena was a mess, crying and making a scene, while Louis’s demeanor remained unchanged, his expression dark and unreadable.
What would his future interactions with Paige be like? They had grown up together, and in Louis's heart, there had only ever been Paige. Could he truly face her now, knowing she would be his aunt by marriage?
