Chapter 174: Shocking News

Bella had been clapping with everyone else. But when she noticed Dominic standing still beside her, she saw something strange in his expression and muttered, "What's wrong?" He didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out his phone and quickly typed, "Don't attend the wedding." It was a message to Ian.

Seeing this, Bella became even more perplexed. It wasn't until the bride responded to the priest's question with "I do" that she realized the bride's voice sounded familiar.

A memory flashed: during a recent trip with Lia and Oscar, she'd encountered Ian and his ex-girlfriend arguing vehemently. Although Bella hadn't seen the ex-girlfriend's face clearly, she remembered her cries and their conversation. The realization stunned her. "She's Ian's ex-girlfriend?"

Dominic remained silent, his expression a mixture of fury and something else. Given their seating, leaving without causing a scene would be too obvious. Therefore, Dominic didn't storm out.

Bella gently grabbed his hand, worried he might lose control. Dominic didn't look at her, but tightened his grip as if trying to restrain himself. Meanwhile, she silently prayed Ian had received the message and wouldn't appear. Their last encounter hadn't gone well; she still recalled the amount of blood Ian lost that day.

As the ceremony ended, the hall doors opened. Ian had arrived, dressed to impress. Everyone turned to see who had entered. His white doctor's coat was gone, replaced by a stylish suit that transformed him completely. He no longer resembled a medical professor, but the heir to the Clarke family.

Ian's face fell dramatically when his eyes met the bride's. Shock and other emotions overwhelmed his calm demeanor. His steps faltered; he couldn't go any further. Meanwhile, Steven looked calm, and the bride smiled with a trace of vengeance.

The tense atmosphere lasted less than thirty seconds. Then Dominic released Bella's hand, stood, and walked to Ian. Close enough to whisper, he murmured, "I told you not to come!"

Ian clenched his fists. "That's exactly why I had to come."

Dominic hadn't anticipated this and was at a loss. The situation was absurd. No matter how detached Steven might be from his son, how could he not know about his son's ex-girlfriend? Yet, he pretended nothing was wrong. Steven grabbed the microphone. "Ian, come and make a toast to your stepmother."

Ian's patience snapped. His jaw clenched as he growled, "I have things to do at the hospital. I'll leave now."

He turned to leave, his clenched hands trembling slightly. But before he'd taken more than a few steps, Steven said, "I told you to come here!"

The wrath in his voice sent a ripple through the hall. Everyone felt the tension, and Bella's heart tightened. Even Lia couldn't have digested such a scandal. Ian froze, neither obeying nor leaving.

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