Chapter 88: The Man She Was Forced to Marry

Wyatt lowered his gaze to her. “Can you still move your arms?”

Yunice tried to stretch one out. To her surprise, Wyatt crouched slightly, slipping his shoulder under her arm. “Hold on to me.”

Feeling his arm curve under the bend of her knee, Yunice instinctively tightened her grip around his shoulder. A second later, Wyatt effortlessly lifted her with one arm. The entire room froze, stunned.

They had all assumed Wyatt was just some cripple who couldn’t do anything—but none of them had expected him to pick her up like that, so calm and strong. Paul felt like something sharp had pierced his chest. His eyes flicked to Wyatt, then to Yunice, who didn’t resist. Finally, he dropped his gaze in silence.

Wyatt hadn’t come just to visit. He had come to take Yunice away.

Luke moved to stop him. “Mr. Cooper, there’s no rush. Let Ms. Saunders get her measurements first so we can get started on the wedding gown.”

Wyatt shot him a mocking look. “I know exactly who belongs to me. I’ll protect her myself—you don’t need to meddle.”

My person. The weight of those two words darkened every face in the room. Owen and Lily couldn’t quite read Wyatt’s intentions. Elsie and Paul, meanwhile, looked downright miserable—probably out of jealousy.

After Wyatt left, Luke followed with the tailor. Only then did Owen turn to Paul, worried, “What were you trying to say about Wyatt earlier?”

Owen still hoped that if Yunice had to marry Wyatt, maybe she could at least be happy. Then he wouldn’t feel so guilty. But from Paul’s earlier tone, it sounded like there was something seriously wrong with Wyatt—something hidden. Only those inside the Powell family would really know the truth.

Surrounded by everyone, Paul looked uncomfortable. He didn’t want to say it out loud. “He’s… he’s a psychopath.”

Owen waited, but Paul stopped there. He pressed, “And?” Owen’s frown deepened. He didn’t quite get what Paul was implying. Maybe it involved secrets within the Powell family. If Paul wouldn’t spell it out, Owen didn’t feel right pushing further.

Elsie watched Paul closely. Seeing how tense he looked, she figured something really was off about Wyatt. If Yunice married him, she definitely wouldn’t have a good time. That thought alone was enough to dull Elsie’s jealousy.

At Silverburgh Hospital, Joe stood by the bed, adjusting the IV drip. “Ms. Saunders,” he said lightly, “even if you love medicine, you can’t keep running back to the hospital like this.”

She’d just left the night before and was already back again. It was the third time she’d been admitted in a week. Yunice gave a sheepish smile. Honestly, if Wyatt hadn’t taken her seriously, she wouldn’t even have made it past the front desk. Without an ID, she couldn’t even register.

After checking the IV, Joe added, “Since you’re here, stay and rest properly. You’re young—don’t end up with lifelong complications.”

Once he left, only a young nurse remained in the room to care for her. Wyatt had dropped her off and hadn’t returned since. Rumor had it Wyatt hadn’t even known about the wedding. He was probably off confronting Mr. Jackson.

She hadn’t wanted this marriage—and Wyatt would want it even less. He was at the height of his career, with every wealthy family’s daughter waiting for his attention. Marrying her would be seen as a joke, a stain on his reputation. But Yunice figured Wyatt, like her, had no real choice in the matter. She’d grown up around the Powell family and had seen firsthand how Mr. Jackson operated. Unless he was absolutely certain, he’d never force someone’s hand. But once he made a move, it was already too late to resist.

Lily had been right about one thing. Even if the Saunders family refused the marriage, the Powell family wouldn’t let her go. Even Wyatt had been pulled into it. What chance did she have? That was why she had ultimately agreed.

When she first heard about the engagement, Yunice wondered—why her? Luke had told her this was Mr. Jackson repaying an old debt. She should be grateful. Yunice figured it had something to do with that day—when she picked up Wyatt’s cane and offended Mr. Jackson in the process. Maybe this marriage was his twisted version of “repayment.”

With the knife already at her throat, Yunice no longer had the strength to question if she’d acted recklessly that day. She could only take it one step at a time.

As she stared off in thought, noise stirred outside the room. It sounded like people were chasing someone down the hallway. The young nurse couldn’t help but peek outside.

Yunice asked, “What’s going on?”

“Not sure,” the nurse replied. “Looked like some big shot showed up—everyone’s rushing to get a glimpse.”