Chapter 575 - 171 Forced Wedding Ceremony

Chapter 575: Chapter 171 Forced Wedding Ceremony

Claire’s POV

I entered the private registry office to find Connor already positioned there like some victorious don about to claim his prize. He was deep in conversation with the corrupt notary, sliding a thick envelope across the mahogany desk that undoubtedly contained enough cash to ensure this sketchy ceremony would proceed without questions.

"Connor! Where is she?" I demanded, striding toward them with purpose.

"Relax, Claire! My future wife is being escorted here as we speak," Connor replied with that insufferable smugness that made my skin crawl.

"You should have arranged this at your casino or one of your warehouses, somewhere those cops couldn’t interfere." I couldn’t fathom his reasoning for choosing such an exposed location.

"Listen, Claire, I would’ve preferred that too, but our friend here couldn’t make house calls today, and I’m eager to finalize this merger. Don’t worry, nobody’s going to crash our little party." Connor dismissed my concerns with the confidence of a man who owned half the city’s officials.

"Stop calling me that," I warned, which only made him chuckle like the arrogant bastard he was. "How can you be so certain they won’t track us down before you finish this ceremony?"

"I had the detective’s partner handle it. Those fools are chasing shadows at the old quarry right now. By the time they realize they’ve been played, Lila and I will be long gone on my private jet."

"And how exactly did he manage that? Getting all those officers to chase ghosts?" I remained skeptical, knowing Daniel had no fondness for his corrupt colleagues.

"He had one of his bought men play the helpful insider, feeding them false intel about our location."

Connor’s laughter filled the room as he turned his attention to the door where one of his security thugs was pushing Lila inside.

She wore an oversized white blouse and green shorts that hung loosely on her petite frame, paired with those ridiculous flip-flops. I admired my artistic handiwork decorating her once-flawless face and smiled with deep satisfaction. Purple bruises bloomed across her porcelain skin, with the distinctive imprint of my signet ring marking both cheeks - a ring I’d commissioned years ago specifically to leave identifying marks when discipline was required. A particularly vicious bruise was developing around her right eye, extending down her cheekbone, the eye nearly swollen shut from our earlier conversation.

I felt the urge to give the other eye matching treatment.

"Don’t even think about hitting her again!" Connor warned, apparently reading my thoughts. He approached the thug who had delivered Lila. "Why isn’t she wearing what I sent?"

"She refused, boss. Didn’t think you’d want me forcing a dress on her." The muscle explained nervously.

"You thought correctly. Lila, why didn’t you put on the wedding gown? We’re about to become husband and wife..." Lila lifted her head, meeting Connor’s gaze with pure defiance blazing in her good eye.

"I will never marry you!" Each word carried the weight of absolute determination and rage.

"Oh, spare us the theatrics, Lila." I inserted myself into their standoff, relishing the opportunity to crush her spirit further. "You’re marrying Connor and that’s the end of it. Accept your fate. You’ll never see that detective, your pathetic friends, or your precious brother ever again."

"I hate you, Claire! I hate you!" Lila cried out, which only filled me with perverse pleasure. "But you can’t force me to marry anyone."

"We’ll see about that," I replied with a predatory smile. "Come on, Connor, let’s get this merger finalized. Unless you want me to dress her by force?"

"I told you not to damage her further. Look at her condition - she’s barely presentable for a honeymoon," Connor complained, and I noticed Lila visibly recoil at the implication.

"Then we’ll marry her exactly as she is," I said, grinning wickedly.

"I already said I won’t get married! I’d rather die, Claire, but I won’t marry him," Lila declared with surprising boldness.

"We’ll see about that stubborn streak. Let’s proceed, Connor." I turned and seated myself at the ornate table where the bought notary waited with his forged documents.

Connor grabbed Lila’s arm roughly, dragging her to the chair positioned in front of the notary’s desk.

"Scott, sit here as our witness," Connor called to his thug, who promptly complied. "You may begin the ceremony, notary."

"Sir, you cannot perform this marriage. I refuse to marry him. You cannot marry me when I’m explicitly refusing," Lila challenged the notary, who regarded her with practiced false sympathy.

"Dear child, you’re simply experiencing pre-wedding nerves, that’s all. I’m certain you’ll find great happiness with your new husband," the notary replied with sickeningly fake kindness, making it crystal clear he would proceed regardless of her protests.

"You’re part of this conspiracy too? Another soul bought by Mr. Connor? My God! How do you sleep at night?" Lila stared at the notary with undisguised revulsion.

"I sleep very comfortably with my debts paid, young lady. Now remain quiet so I can conduct your marriage ceremony," the notary snapped, dropping his benevolent mask entirely. The hypocrite, masquerading as a moral, upstanding citizen while selling his integrity to Connor for blood money.

"Lila, stay silent. You don’t need to speak, just sign the register," Connor instructed, reaching for her hand, which she jerked away as if scalded.

"I won’t sign anything! I won’t be silent and I won’t marry you!" Lila leaped up and began backing toward the exit. "HELP! HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!" She bolted toward the door, screaming loud enough to alert the entire building.

"SHUT UP, LILA!" I roared, lunging toward her.

A registry clerk burst through the connecting door, but the notary quickly shoved him out and secured the lock. Scott reached the street door just as Lila grasped the handle, blocking her escape route. I seized her by her golden hair and yanked her back to the chair while the notary barricaded the street entrance.

"HELP! HEEEELP!" Lila continued screaming and struggling against my grip.

"Silence her," the notary ordered Connor impatiently.

"I’ll handle this!" I declared, slapping her while maintaining my iron grip on her hair. "Close that mouth or I’ll give you something much worse to scream about."

"I told you not to hit her, Claire!" Connor protested weakly.

"You want this wedding completed, don’t you? Then let me handle this little rat my way." I glared at him until he relented, taking his seat beside the struggling Lila.

"Fine, but ensure she stays quiet and signs the register." Connor finally realized that gentle persuasion wouldn’t suffice.

"Don’t worry, I brought something that will make her very cooperative." I reached into my designer purse and withdrew the prepared syringe.

The first drug would render the little brat compliant enough to complete the ceremony. After Connor transferred my payment, I planned to administer the second dose that would eliminate her permanently. I’d simply tell him it was to make her docile for their wedding night - he’d never suspect my true intentions.

As I positioned the needle against Lila’s trembling arm, a thunderous crash erupted throughout the room. I quickly injected the compliance drug, then witnessed that damned detective bursting through the doorway like an avenging angel. My carefully orchestrated plans were crumbling around me, but I could still eliminate the little rat permanently. I frantically grabbed the lethal syringe from my purse, preparing to plunge the fatal dose into her arm before anyone could stop me.