Chapter 225 The Marriage Certificate
The look of happiness on Ashton's face somewhat eased the discontent Kenny had felt moments before. They soon arrived at the city hall. Their appearance immediately drew many admiring glances.
Ashton was a bit nervous.
Kenny tilted his head slightly and said gently, "Mrs. Walker, all eyes are on you."
She grew more anxious. "Why? Is my makeup smudged?"
There was a softly amused smile in Kenny's eyes. "No, you look perfect. They're staring because you're absolutely radiant."
Ashton was speechless. Was Kenny carrying around a honey pot or something?
"Stop flattering me!" she said in a hushed tone, her ears turning red.
Kenny couldn't help but chuckle, his shoulders shaking gently. Perhaps it was his praise that did the trick, for Ashton was all smiles and confidence during the photo shoot.
When she looked at the photograph on their marriage certificate, stamped and official, she was amazed. Had she really been that happy a moment ago?
Then her eyes met Kenny's, and suddenly she wasn't so scared of this whirlwind marriage.
"Mrs. Walker, I'm looking forward to a lifetime of learning from you," said Kenny, closing the marriage certificate and taking Ashton's. "Let me take care of these as well."
A lifetime... It's meant to be a long one.
Was Kenny's intent to stay by her side, as husband and wife, forever?
Ashton's heart pounded in his chest, a rhythmic thud that seemed louder with every moment.
Kenny had a way of getting under your skin. He was easy on the eyes—handsome, even—probably had a decent build, but it was his hands that caught your attention. They were almost too perfect, the kind that could grace the ads of luxury watches.
"What're you looking at?" Kenny said, tucking away the marriage certificate.
He extended his hand towards Ashton, fingers elegantly flipping to highlight his ringless ring finger. "Feel like something's missing?"
Ashton caught on, albeit a little late.
Gritting his teeth, he reached out and interlaced his fingers with Kenny's. Kenny's brow raised in surprise but then broke into a grin.
"Nice try, but that's not what I'm talking about," Kenny said, his laughter light.
"What then?" Ashton inquired.
From his pocket, Kenny produced a stunning ring that he gently slid onto Ashton's finger.
"This."
The ring looked familiar to Ashton, way too familiar. Wait—hadn't she seen this piece in that antique jewelry class?
"This ring was designed by my great-grandfather for my grandmother for her wedding. It might not boast expensive diamonds, but its heritage is priceless,” Kenny said, looking into Ashton's eyes. “Mrs. Walker, I entrust its care to you."
Ashton's voice trembled with curiosity and awe, "If you don't mind me asking, who was your grandmother's grandfather?"
If this ring was indeed the one from the textbooks, its value was immeasurable, far surpassing any large diamond like those fabled pigeon's eggs.
Kenny mentioned a name, and Ashton's knees almost buckled. It really was that ring!
Kenny extended his hand again. "What about mine? I'm a married man, after all—I should be wearing one, too."
Ashton stared blankly at him. "Mr. Kenny, how about we shop for a ring together? Return this one to you, and we'll buy matching bands?"
But what could she possibly offer to match the worth of such a precious ring?
"No way!" Kenny quickly dismissed the idea.
Ashton’s face fell. "I'll think about something," she muttered.
Only then did Kenny nod approvingly. "There's one more thing—I know the timing is off, but today is the memorial service for one of my elders..."
Kenny was visibly anxious, fearing Ashton's change of heart, not bothering with picking an auspicious day.
"If you're uncomfortable with it."
"Not at all!" Ashton interjected with a shake of her head. "You want me to come with you?"
"Yes," Kenny confirmed with a nod.
God as her witness, right then, he wished he could announce his newlywed wife at a press conference.
The Walker family elders had their concerns about Kenny. He'd matured too quickly, showing little interest in the usual indulgences, and even with all his wealth, money just seemed like numbers to him.
But what worried them most was Kenny's apparent indifference towards women.
Mrs. Grace had been haunted by a recurring dream where her son Kenny brought a boyfriend home. The next morning she awoke dazed and confused for quite some time.
If only they knew the elation and urgency Kenny felt at this moment, the elders of the Walker family would probably march straight to their ancestral hall for a grand ceremony to inform their forefathers.
"Do I need to change my clothes?" Ashton asked, obviously unaware of Kenny's fondness for her.
Surveying her attire, she contemplated seriously.
"Mhm. I've got something for you in the trunk."
Kenny, a dear family friend, took a side entrance into the funeral home where the memorial service was being held.
Before officially joining, Ashton went to the dressing room and changed.
When she emerged, she ran into someone she recognized.
"Ashton?" Lilian exclaimed in shock.
Lilian and Ashton had met right after Fiona's tragic plane crash. Ashton had almost come to blows with Lilian.
"Who are you?" Ashton snapped. She could tell right away that this woman was no good and didn't care to hide her disdain.
"No need to pretend. Do you even know where you are? What are you doing sneaking in here? Looking to cause trouble?" Lilian fired off three questions in rapid succession.
Ashton was about to speak when a pleasing yet cold male voice interrupted.
"My wife is here with me. What's the problem, Vice President Bai?"
Hearing this voice, Ashton didn't even turn around, but her confidence visibly swelled – her chin lifted higher as she bore an air of unassailable righteousness.
Everyone wondered who could possibly be the husband to such a charming wife. Ah, it turned out to be Kenny.
"Mr. Walker..." Lilian gaped at Kenny.
Mr. Kenny Walker was seldom seen in public. Yet, it was well-known that he was the heir to the Walker family. His two older brothers practically prayed every day, wishing for the ancestors to bless Kenny to finish his studies quickly and return to take the helm of the family business, devoid of any intention to vie for inheritance.
Though the Walkers kept a low profile, they were, strictly speaking, even more affluent than the prominent Solomon family.
"It's the rich that don't last three generations," so the saying went, but the Walkers were an age-old clan that had thrived for centuries, each head of the family a formidable figure in their own right.
How could someone like Kenny be Ashton's husband? Wasn't he a recent graduate set to pursue further studies?
"Honey, this lady is so scary; she blocked my way and spoke to me so loudly... it was frightening," Ashton reported, latching onto Kenny's arm with exaggerated distress.
Kenny approached, and Ashton clung to his arm, her complaint delivered with feigned innocence, which made Kenny suddenly see Lilian in a more favorable light.
Lilian's pupils quivered with shock.
"Mr. Walker, I didn’t—I just…" she stammered.
"You thought my wife came here to wreck the party? Does she look capable of that, all delicate and dainty?" Kenny’s voice was icy.
Ashton nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, how could I, being all delicate and dainty, mess up a Solomon family affair?" she echoed.
After a brief pause, she turned to Kenny with wide eyes, "The Solomon family? Your relatives are Li? It's not Darwin Li, is it?"
"Did I not mention it?"
"You did not!" Ashton thought, Time to get out of here.
But luck was not on her side.
The elevator doors opened not far away.
Darwin stepped out.
How to describe it?
Ashton felt utterly hopeless.
There was no escape.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
