Chapter 161: Wedding And Rescue
The wedding hall was filled with people, their whispers and flashing cameras following Daisy as she walked down the aisle. She looked calm, but her hands trembled slightly under the veil.
If Thomas were here, he would be the one leading her to Theo. But he wasn’t. And every step she took without him made her chest tighten.
Still, when her eyes met Theo’s waiting at the altar, steady and warm, she forced herself to breathe.
She kept walking, each step heavier than the last, until she finally reached Theo. He extended his hand without hesitation, firm and reassuring. Daisy slipped her trembling fingers into his, and in that small touch, she felt anchored.
"You are beautiful," he whispered, low enough for only her to hear.
Her lips curved into the faintest smile, but her eyes shimmered with tears she refused to let fall.
The priest’s voice carried over the hall, steady and solemn. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Theo Kingsley and Daisy Sinclair..."
Daisy blinked back the tears threatening to spill as she turned to Theo. His gaze never wavered, locked on her as though she was the only one in the room.
"I, Theo Kingsley," he began, his voice deep and unwavering, "take you, Daisy Sinclair, to be my wife... not by contract, not by duty, but by choice. I vow to protect you, to stand beside you, and to love you with everything I have... until my last breath."
Her chest tightened, her throat aching as she whispered her part. "I, Daisy Sinclair, take you, Theo Kingsley, to be my husband. I vow to believe in you, to walk with you, and to love you... even when the world tries to tear us apart."
The priest smiled gently. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Theo lifted her veil, his hand lingering against her cheek before he leaned in, sealing their vow with a kiss.
The applause thundered as Theo and Daisy shared their first kiss as husband and wife. The crowd rose to their feet, petals fluttering through the air, music swelling with triumph. Daisy’s heart pounded, not from the noise, but from the weight of finally reaching this moment.
Outside, away from the glitter and cheer, a black car was parked under the shadow of the trees. Inside, Owen sat in the back seat, cane leaning against his leg, a glass of untouched whiskey in hand. His eyes narrowed as he watched the faint glow of the wedding hall through the tinted window.
"Pathetic show," he muttered, swirling the drink though he didn’t sip. His jaw tightened, the sound of celebration echoing faintly even here. He glanced toward the small case beside him, its contents enough to set the entire venue ablaze.
"Let them laugh, let them cheer," Owen whispered darkly, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "Once the fire starts, we’ll see how long this marriage lasts."
He tapped his fingers against the glass, watching the hall as though it were already burning.
Far from the wedding’s glow, the Kennedy mansion loomed in silence. At the back gates, Liam and Richard crouched low behind a cluster of trees, flanked by a few trusted men. Richard pulled out his phone, his jaw tight as he dialed again.
The line clicked.
"Jasmine," Richard whispered urgently. "We’re here. But listen to me... no games. If this is another trick—"
"I swear," Jasmine’s voice broke on the other end, raw and trembling. "I swear on my life, Richard. It’s not for me. Don’t waste time trying to get me out. Please... just save Thomas."
A muffled sound came through, a strained cough, the shuffle of movement. Jasmine’s voice dropped lower, steadier this time, though tears laced every word. "His condition is getting worse. If you can’t get both of us, then take him. Promise me you’ll take him."
Richard’s hand clenched around the phone. For a moment, he couldn’t answer.
Liam, eyes hard, gave a single nod. "We’ll get him. Hold on."
Liam ended the call with a heavy exhale, then pulled his phone from his pocket. On the screen was the photo Jasmine had sent yesterday. A rough sketch of the mansion’s layout, drawn in shaky lines but clear enough to follow. A bold "X" marked the far end of the east wing.
"That’s where she said they are," Liam muttered, tapping the mark. "Basement level. Two guards stationed outside."
Richard leaned closer, eyes narrowing at the glow of the screen. "She risked everything by sending this. If Owen checks her phone—"
"He won’t," Liam cut him off, voice firm though his jaw clenched. His gaze lifted toward the dark silhouette of the mansion. "By the time he notices, it’ll be too late. He must be happy right now planning his dirty little plan..."
"You make sure the police are stationed there, right?" Richard asked, his voice low but edged with worry.
Liam gave a short nod, eyes still on the mansion. "Yeah. They’re already spread around the venue, blending in as security and crowd control. Owen won’t dare try anything big in front of that many uniforms. Not without burning himself too."
Richard exhaled, but his shoulders didn’t relax. "Good. Daisy and Theo need at least that much peace today... even if we don’t."
Liam’s gaze hardened, turning back to the dark outline of Kennedy’s mansion. "Our part’s here. If we move fast enough, she’ll have her father back before the ceremony is over. Dad... You will stay here..."
Liam shoved the heavy door open with a few security at his side, the stench of damp wood and Owen’s cruelty thick in the air. Jasmine was already there, crouched by Thomas’s bedside, her eyes widening with both relief and desperation when she saw them.
"You came," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Please... just forget about me. Just take him. His fever’s getting worse. If you wait any longer—"
Liam stepped forward, already signaling the men behind him to lift Thomas. But before they could move, Liam’s phone buzzed sharply in his pocket. He glanced at the screen... an urgent message flashing across it. His heart sank.
"The wedding," he muttered, cold dread sweeping through him. "Something’s happening at the venue."