Chapter 191

Upon seeing Joyce, Thea saw through her carefully applied makeup to the exhaustion beneath. "Joyce," she began, "I already know you're marrying Max. You asked me to be your bridesmaid, yet the wedding is rushed. You're reluctant, aren't you?"

Exposed, Joyce felt a lump in her throat, her strong demeanor faltering as her eyes reddened. Frustration welled up, but she didn't know where to begin. She refused to let Kelly dictate her marriage, hoping to use Thea's presence at the wedding—Max's first love—to disrupt the ceremony with Emmalie's help. But facing her best friend, Joyce felt uneasy. She couldn't bring herself to drag Thea into her predicament. Her last line of defense crumbled.

With a choked voice, Joyce confessed, "Thea, I'm so sorry. You should leave while you can."

Little did Joyce know, Thea, since an incident at eighteen, found it difficult to form friendships. Joyce's honesty was a relief, not a burden. "I'm afraid it might be too late," Thea said. "From what I know of Emmalie, she won't play fair."

A knock came at the makeup room door. "It's time for the first look. The bride can step out whenever she's ready."

Thea looked at Joyce, determination in her eyes. "Don't worry, Joyce. I won't let you walk into the Rowland family's nightmare."

At the wedding venue, the Rowland and Maddox families bustled, overwhelmed by the commotion. When Emmalie saw Thea and Joyce enter the banquet hall, she approached with a smile. "Thea, what are you doing here?"

Thea raised an eyebrow. "If I don't come, how will your plan continue?"

Their conversation drew attention. Emmalie awkwardly pulled away, feigning victimhood. Whispers arose:

"The Rowland family severed ties with Thea. What's she doing here?" "She wouldn't just come for the wedding. She must be here for revenge!" "With that pretty face, her intentions are malicious! She's disrupting her brother's wedding. What a shame!" "Feel sorry for the Rowlands. What did they do in past lives to deserve this?"

The insults swirled. Emmalie feigned innocence. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Joyce, arm-in-arm with Thea, shot her a cold look. "Do you want me to jog your memory?"

Emmalie chuckled. "Oh, I almost forgot. You still have that recording of our collaboration to sabotage this wedding."

A glint of amusement shone in Emmalie's eyes. "You and Thea must be close. You'd give up your life to protect her reputation. Even I'm touched But what can your little recording do? I'll say I didn't want Max to be a pawn in a family marriage. Do you think they'll side with you?"

Joyce was taken aback. "You" She'd never encountered such brazen shamelessness. But Emmalie was right. In the past, Emmalie's false accusations had been dismissed by the Rowlands.

Thea remained unfazed. "You really think you're somebody, Emmalie? If you have no other tricks, step aside. Don't block the path." Emmalie's expression darkened.

Ivy, drawn by the gossip, glared at Thea. "Thea, how can you speak to Emmalie like that? It's Max's wedding! Can't you behave? Must you cause trouble?"

Duncan looked at Thea like an enemy. "Mom, she doesn't care about family ties. She's sabotaging the wedding. Why give her consideration? Even if Nicolas backs her…" Ivy hesitated. "But…"

"One rotten apple shouldn't spoil the whole barrel," Duncan interjected.

Thea shot him a cold glare. "Excuse me? I'm attending as a friend of the bride's family. Is this how the Rowlands treat guests?"

Nearby guests overheard and cast curious glances.

Ivy, furious, clutched her chest. "Are you satisfied? Because of you, the Rowlands are a laughingstock! Thea, do you care about this family, about me? Do you have to push me to despair before you stop?"

The familiar accusations poured out, but Thea was unaffected. She responded calmly, "Mrs. Rowland, have you forgotten the Rowlands publicly disowned me? Everyone knows how we reached this point."

Ivy felt a lump in her throat. It was always Thea's disobedience, her selfishness. Yet, they were mother and daughter, and she didn't want a scene. She couldn't meet Thea's gaze.

Kelly's voice rang out. "I don't recall the Maddox family inviting this young lady."

Joyce shivered. "I invited Thea," she defended.

Before Kelly could react, she slapped Joyce, coldly reprimanding her. "Be quiet! You have no say! Didn't your father teach you to obey your father, then your husband? Obey your in-laws! How can you help your husband if you're unruly?"

Kelly's gaze turned critical on Thea.

Before the wedding, Emmalie had warned Kelly that Joyce's friendship with Thea could cause trouble. Kelly had witnessed Thea's defiance of Ivy, confirming Emmalie's warning.

Kelly spoke veiledly. "Is it any wonder you're learning bad behavior from a friend with no decorum? Joyce, associate less with questionable people."

Joyce felt humiliated, publicly slapped and lectured on archaic values. She felt utterly degraded.