I Wed the Story's Big Bad

At my wedding with my childhood sweetheart, Zoe Sutherland, I see live comments in front of my eyes all of a sudden. "This is so funny! The male supporting lead doesn't even know that the bride is a fake one! The actual female lead, Zoe, is actually keeping the male lead company in the hospital!" "It doesn't matter who the bride is! The female lead just wants to get married for the sake of her company's funds! After all, this story is about childhood sweetheart losing to the true love who's come out of nowhere!" "The female lead will end up screwing the male supporting lead's life over. Jeez, now I feel a little bad for him." Concealing the shock in my eyes, I go through the rest of the wedding while pretending to be kept in the dark about the truth. I don't want to become the stepping stone that will tie the two main leads together as the cannon fodder who dies a horrible death. Since Zoe doesn't want to marry me at all, I might as well marry the fake bride for real. Chapter 1 It was then that the officiant asked, "Do you accept the man by your side as your husband, staying with him in both good times and bad?" "I-I do…" That woman's voice was heard through the mask, sounding a bit muffled. Upon hearing that, the assembled guests murmured to one another, remarking on the profound affection Zoe Sutherland, the heiress of the Sutherland family, held for me. "Ms. Sutherland is truly infatuated with Mr. Sorenson! They say she had a sudden severe cold and a persistent high fever last night, but she insisted on going through with this wedding of the century today, even in a mask, afraid of disappointing her childhood sweetheart!" "I guess it's true that the bond between childhood sweethearts is unique. In addition, this alliance between the Sorensons and Sutherlands is a total game-changer for the business world in Stonecreek." I felt nothing but total disgust hearing the compliments from the crowd; after all, the comment section before my eyes was scrolling at a frantic pace. "You think that's infatuation? Zoe is currently holed up in a suburban villa, cuddling with Jaiden while watching the live stream of the wedding ceremony! They're sipping wine and mocking the supporting male lead for being such a pathetic idiot!" "I feel so bad for this stand-in bride. I mean, she accepted a measly 100 thousand dollars to take the fall for this, and she's about to be publicly shamed by the supporting male lead!" "Do you not know who the stand-in actually is? She's actually the most powerful hidden big shot in the entire novel—Maisie Shepherd, the hidden billionaire!" "She had harbored a secret crush on Waylon for ten whole years. She eventually tore the Sutherland family out by the roots and obliterated them to avenge Waylon. She's the very definition of the ultimate devoted lover!" I was stunned to find out that Maisie, that legendary, enigmatic tycoon who controlled a vast business empire, had a crush on me, so much so that she even agreed to be my stand-in bride. I immediately took a deep breath and raised my hand, cutting off the officiant. "Hold on." In that instant, everyone in the hall fell silent. I noticed Maisie avoiding my gaze, her forehead glistening with fine sweat and her breath turning ragged. I merely smiled faintly and said calmly, "You don't look well. Have you been so busy with the wedding that you forgot your medication, Zoe?" Maisie coughed nervously a couple of times, her throat tightening as she replied, "Y-Yes, I'm feeling a bit unwell." I took advantage of the situation and addressed the officiant and guests. "I'm sorry, everyone, but since the bride is feeling quite unwell, I'll take her to the lounge for some medication. I'll have to briefly suspend the ceremony for about ten minutes, so please help yourselves to some champagne." I grabbed Maisie's hand after saying that and led her into the lounge behind the stage. I had just closed the door when my phone, which was on the table, suddenly rang. I checked it and noticed over a dozen unread messages—all from Jaiden Chapman. "You've already realized that the bride is a fake, haven't you, Waylon? How's the surprise? Zoe and I are watching your wedding live stream now." He had also sent a high-definition image of Zoe leaning against his chest, with his chin resting on her head as they both smiled happily at the camera. "I almost forgot—I was the one who suggested it. Zoe said that although you're childhood sweethearts, I'm the one she truly loves. She also said that this wedding of yours is just something she did to entertain me. You wouldn't be mad about it, would you, Waylon?" I sneered and instantly replied to his messages. "Is that so? Do you want to bet that with one call, she'd leave you in a heartbeat and come back begging for my forgiveness, Jaiden?" Just as I expected, Jaiden didn't reply for a long time. I knew then that Jaiden had taken the bait. I glanced over at the bride standing quietly next to me. Maisie seemed flustered as she looked my way, her voice sounding low and slightly raspy while saying, "Waylon, I'm actually—" I gently patted her on the shoulder and said, "You don't have to be so nervous, Maisie." In that instant, everyone in the comment section was stunned. "Did Maisie just get outed? How come Waylon is going off-script?" Maisie looked immediately relieved. "You've known all along, huh?" She fell silent for a moment, then, as if coming to a decision, took a deep breath and said, "Zoe doesn't deserve to marry you. She's intentionally trying to humiliate you today, Waylon." Chapter 2 I suddenly leaned toward Maisie and said, "I didn't stop the wedding to expose you—I just want you to act out a scene with me." I couldn't help but cry as I recalled how Maisie had destroyed the Sutherland family for me in the novel, ultimately dying alongside Zoe. Maisie hurriedly wiped away my tears, saying, "If this is too much for you, I can—" I looked at her with a serious expression and said, "I need you to listen to me, Maisie—I want to marry you." In that instant, the comment section was spammed with pink heart emojis. "Oh, my God! Did I hear that right? Waylon has gained consciousness! He actually proposed to Maisie!" "I ship them so hard! I mean, look at the way the big shot is looking at him—there's so much tension!" Upon making our way back to the stage, the officiant announced with a smile, "It is now time for the bride and groom to exchange rings." I picked up the ring and tried to slide it onto Maisie's finger, but it wouldn't go any further. I held her hand still as she made an embarrassed attempt to force it on. In that instant, murmurs began to spread among the guests below the stage. "What's going on here? Did they get the ring size wrong?" "How could they mess up something this significant? How could the Sorensons and the Sutherlands be so sloppy?" Zoe's parents, Jeremy Sutherland and Cassie Clark, who were seated at the main table, looked extremely displeased. They exchanged a look of mutual dread and unease. They were clearly aware of the ridiculous farce Zoe had planned, but had decided to hide the truth and let her have her way. Dad furrowed his brow as he cast a worried look in my direction. I gave Mom and Dad a reassuring look to soothe their nerves, then, while the entire room watched in confusion and doubt, I reached out and tore the mask from Maisie's face. "Holy shit! That bride isn't Zoe!" "What happened to the real bride, then?" Jeremy was the first to react. "W-What is the meaning of this? Who the hell are you?" Cassie's face turned livid as she barked at the chaotic crowd of guests and reporters, "Shut up! Get the security in here! There's a small mishap at the wedding, and it will be handled right now!" In that instant, the comment section went wild before my eyes. "Oh my! It's time for peak drama!" "In the original storyline, Waylon was the one who should have been up there sobbing and panicking. It's so ironic how it's Zoe's parents instead." Dad shot me a concerned look. "What's going on here, Waylon? Where's Zoe?" I glanced back at Mom and Dad reassuringly, then, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, I held Maisie's hand and said, "I'd like to thank all of you for attending my wedding with Maisie today. I'd also like everyone to know that due to a slight error, the names on the wedding invitations and rings were mixed up." I paused for a moment before continuing, "It's not a big deal, though, so the wedding will proceed as planned." Maisie, standing beside me, raised her head proudly and stood tall, as though asserting her claim. Jeremy looked at me, trembling with rage. "Have you lost your mind, Waylon? Do you have any idea what you're doing? How could you just bring in some random woman to replace Zoe? You're making a mockery of the Sutherlands!" Cassie rushed over and whispered sharply, "You ought to stop this nonsense, Waylon! You and Zoe have been together since you were children! You can't treat the alliance between our families like a joke, even if she's absent out of whim! You'd better call off this wedding this instant—we'll settle this in private!" I ignored their protests and handed the microphone to Maisie, saying, "Go ahead, Maisie—let everyone know exactly why you're the one standing here today." Maisie met my gaze with a faint smile and stated calmly, "I'm here today because Zoe paid me 100 thousand dollars to act as her stand-in for the wedding." Chapter 3 In that instant, a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd, followed by an immediate outcry. "W-What? Did Zoe actually hire someone to stand in for her at her own wedding?" "Holy! Has Zoe lost her mind? She is basically dragging the Sorenson family's reputation through the dirt!" Cassie and Jeremy's faces drained of all color following the public exposure. Mom was absolutely livid. She pointed a finger directly at Cassie and bellowed, "You Sutherlands truly have some nerve! Zoe is truly despicable! "How dare you treat my son's wedding—the most important event of his life—like a game! You've all gone too far! Did you think the Sorenson family would just sit back and take this?" Dad, his eyes bloodshot with rage, hurried onto the stage and stood protectively in front of me. He then addressed the Sutherland family in a freezing tone, saying, "Waylon and Zoe's wedding is off! There will be no further ties between the Sorenson and Sutherland families from today onward!" Upon seeing that the alliance was on the brink of collapse, Jeremy grew anxious. "Zoe was just being immature and messing around, Waylon. I'll have her come back here immediately to apologize to you!" I scoffed and said, "I'll give her another chance, then. If you can get her on the phone this instant, I'll let it all slide." I leaned in as I noticed Maisie's hand tightening around mine and whispered, "You can rest assured that Zoe isn't going to show up." Jeremy, as if clinging to his last hope, took out his phone and repeatedly dialed Zoe's number, only to keep hearing the same cold automated voice. "I'm sorry, but the person you're trying to reach is unavailable." I spoke in a deliberately aggrieved tone, saying, "It seems like Ms. Sutherland has no intention of returning." I then turned to the security and said, "Please escort these irrelevant people out." Cassie and Jeremy were forcibly escorted out by security, while numerous reporters excitedly shoved their cameras right up to their faces. Dad gripped my hand firmly without demanding an explanation. "Your mother and I will stand behind you, regardless of your choices, Waylon." Mom, on the other hand, firmly patted my shoulder—a gesture that warmed my heart so much that I almost broke down right then and there. I then noticed a comment in the comment section. "In the original story, Waylon's insistence on marrying Zoe led to a fallout with his parents. Zoe eventually drove the Sorenson family into bankruptcy, causing his parents to age decades in one night and commit suicide by jumping from a building. Their current situation just makes me want to burst into tears." I lowered my gaze, masking the emotions in my eyes. I decided to show them no mercy since they showed no goodwill at first. I immediately called my assistant once the wedding ceremony was over. "I need you to end all cooperation with the Sutherland family this instant and withdraw every bit of capital we invested." In the end, the news that I changed brides at the wedding and married Maisie didn't circulate immediately. It seemed like the Sutherland family had moved quickly to contain the news and stabilize their share price. I rushed to register the marriage with Maisie once the wedding ceremony was over, and once it was done, Maisie mentioned that she had to leave the country for a few days to handle some affairs. Zoe, on the other hand, was completely unaware of what had happened. She had enjoyed two leisurely days with Jaiden at a villa on the outskirts of the city before belatedly sensing that something was off; after all, at this point, I would have already thrown a fit and dragged her back, yet now there was no movement at all. She mindlessly swiped through her phone, not reacting even when Jaiden called out to her. She sneered and tossed her phone aside, saying, "I don't buy it. Waylon is definitely playing hard to get." Jaiden asked tentatively, "Is it possible that Waylon is truly upset this time, Zoe? You should probably head back and smooth things over. I'd hate for you to ruin your relationship with the Sorenson family because of me." Zoe pinched Jaiden's chin, looking utterly condescending. "You want me to go make it up to him? He's hopelessly in love with me, so he can't possibly live without me, especially after being together for more than two decades. "He'll come crawling back to me within three days, giving me money and begging me to marry him. He's clearly too spoiled." It was then that the comment section popped up. "I'm laughing so hard right now. Is the female lead really that dumb? I mean, she doesn't even realize that the Sorenson family has withdrawn all their capital. Sutherland Group is about to go down in flames!" "Oh, my God! Your entire family is falling apart, yet you're still acting so smug!" Chapter 4 I didn't expect to encounter Zoe and Jaiden—those two wretched nuisances—at Dad's business banquet. Zoe spotted me right away, though her face fell and turned grim when she saw me speaking to another woman. Upon noticing me, Jaiden subtly supported Zoe's waist and murmured gently, "You're probably tired of walking, aren't you, Zoe? Your feet must be aching, and it's so stuffy in here." Zoe gently held his hand, though she kept stealing glances at me. She was probably expecting me to make the first move. I didn't meet her expectations, though, as I didn't even spare her so much as a sidelong glance. Zoe ultimately lost her patience. She walked straight to our table, slammed her wine glass onto it, and asked, "Are you mad because I had someone else stand in for me for the wedding, Waylon?" I didn't even spare her a glance and stood up to leave. Zoe continued, "I only missed the wedding because Jaiden was ill. I didn't show up because it was an emergency." Jaiden stepped in front of me, cutting off my exit. "Please don't be mad at Zoe, Waylon. It's my own fault for being so sickly and ruining your wedding…" Upon hearing that, Zoe laughed mockingly at me. "I never realized that you were so petty, Waylon. It's just a wedding ceremony; it's not like we're legally married. Do you really have to conspire with your father to withdraw capital from Sutherland Group just to make me give in?" She reached out to grasp my arm as she spoke, as though she had every right to do so. I gave her a cold look and shook off her hand. "Please show some restraint, Ms. Sutherland. Didn't your parents tell you what happened at the wedding?" Zoe was stunned. "What are you talking about?" Jaiden grabbed my wrist, looking panicked. "Please don't do this, Waylon. Zoe really does care about you." He was acting like a peacemaker, but his grip was brutal, his fingernails digging deep into my arm. I took a deep breath from the sudden sting. Those in the comment sections went wild. "Damn! What's up with the male lead? How come he's already making his move?" I violently shook him off, snapping, "Get lost!" Jaiden yelped and fell hard to the floor, looking utterly disheveled. Zoe, eyes blazing with rage, rushed to help Jaiden to his feet. She then yelled, "Do you not know that Jaiden is in poor health, Waylon? You'd better apologize to him this instant!" I merely scoffed and instructed the security guards rushing toward the commotion, "Get these two out of here at once!" Zoe's expression turned livid. "You'd better not assume that you can attract my attention by doing this, Waylon! I'll go and register the marriage with you in a few days if you behave yourself!" Those in the comment section instantly responded. "What the hell is wrong with this female lead? Isn't she supposed to be in love with the male lead? Why is she acting so incredibly full of herself?" "I'm laughing my head off here! She has no idea that the supporting male lead had already gotten the marriage certificate with the big shot! She's actually still expecting him to come sweet-talk her!" I smiled faintly. "You want to get a marriage certificate with me? I'm already married, though." Zoe's smile immediately stiffened. She stood there in a daze, her brow furrowed deeply. "What on earth are you talking about?" She moved forward and asked in a haughty tone, "You're saying that you're married, huh? Where is your wife, then? Why isn't she by your side, Waylon?" I let out a contemptuous smirk. "You see, my wife is away on a business trip—unlike some lazy, good-for-nothing who can't survive without a man." Jaiden's eyes welled up with tears before Zoe could lash out. "How could you say that about Zoe? She works herself to the bone for Sutherland Group every single day. You're now making up lies just to hurt her instead of supporting her! How can you be so heartless, Waylon?" Zoe looked at me with disappointment and fury after Jaiden's deliberate pause. "Do you see how petty and sharp-tongued you've become, Waylon? Who else would want you besides me? You'd better not play hard to get anymore—it's just making me despise you more!"