Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1525: The Grand Wedding

Ethan Barnes grabbed Celeste Linden by the wrist.

Celeste Linden stopped and turned to look at Ethan Barnes.

The commotion had already attracted the people in the room. They came out and saw Ethan Barnes holding onto Celeste Linden, and their expressions changed as they whispered amongst themselves,

"What is the relationship between King Hayden and his cousin? Their relationship doesn’t seem ordinary to me."

"Yeah, I sense some ambiguity between them. It seems like King Hayden’s eyes are only for his cousin."

"But isn’t King Hayden getting married soon? His fiancée is right here."

Everyone sneaked a glance at Carlotta.

Carlotta also came out. She looked pale as she gazed at the two people in front of her and called out, "Ethan."

Ethan Barnes didn’t turn back. Under everyone’s gaze, he continued to clutch onto Celeste Linden.

Celeste Linden looked at Ethan with clear eyes and spoke calmly, "King Hayden, is there something you need from me?"

Ethan Barnes pressed his thin lips together. He had returned a while ago, so he had seen everything that happened. He saw Carlotta’s difficulties with her and heard others gossiping and belittling her and the child in her belly.

She remained silent and calm throughout.

But seeing her vulnerable appearance, his heart ached.

"King Hayden, if there’s nothing else, can you let go of me? Everyone is watching, after all," Celeste Linden reminded with a hint of amusement.

Ethan Barnes’ lips had formed a grim line. At this moment, Carlotta approached, hooking her hand around his strong arm, "Ethan, let’s talk later. These people are here to help me try on my bridal headdress and robe. We’re getting married soon."

Carlotta was reminding him.

Ethan Barnes’ fingers twitched, then he slowly released her slender wrist.

Celeste Linden didn’t look at them again and went into the room, closing the door behind her.

Outside the door, Ethan Barnes stared at the closed room door for a long time.

The butler, noticing the situation, came to see the guests off, "Everyone, you may leave now."

These people were ushered out by the butler.

Though the guests left, Carlotta could feel their eyes on her, filled with sympathy. Unhappy, she said, "Ethan, what is this supposed to mean? We’re about to get married, and you’re humiliating me publicly?"

Ethan Barnes lifted his eyelids, giving Carlotta a cold look.

Carlotta froze. It was the first time Ethan had ever looked at her with such coldness and even disdain. Their years of affection had slowly come to this point.

"Ethan, are you blaming me? Yes, I did it on purpose earlier, but so what? Isn’t this what you all forced me to do?"

"Even if I don’t say anything, others will talk about Celeste Linden. When her child is born, people will speculate whether it’s an unwanted illegitimate child or the result of a one-night stand."

Ethan Barnes reached out and directly pushed Carlotta.

Carlotta lost her balance and cried out, falling embarrassingly to the ground. Her head hit the railing with a "thud."

Reaching up to touch her forehead, she found it bleeding.

"Miss Carlotta, are you okay?" a maid exclaimed, quickly coming to support Carlotta.

Seeing the blood on her hand, Carlotta’s pale eyes suddenly reddened, but she soon laughed heartily. She looked at Ethan Barnes, "Ethan, I will never let you go in this lifetime. Let’s just continue tormenting each other like this!"

Carlotta returned to her room.

...

Ethan Barnes went back to his study and started smoking again. Recently, he had been chain-smoking, heavily dependent on the nicotine.

Only its flavor could numb him and give him a fleeting relaxation.

Smoking, he took out his phone again, staring at the message he sent Celeste Linden a few nights ago, asking why she ignored him.

But she never replied.

Ethan Barnes looked at her number, tempted to call her to hear her voice, but ultimately he did nothing.

The next day, the three of them sat together for a meal, as if what happened yesterday was just a dream.

Carlotta happily said, "Cousin, I don’t have many friends here. I’ll be marrying Ethan soon. Will you be my bridesmaid?"

Ethan Barnes immediately spoke up, "No, I’ll find someone else for you."

Carlotta refused, "No, Ethan, I want my cousin as my bridesmaid. Cousin, is that alright?"

Celeste Linden looked across at Carlotta, "Alright."

"Then it’s settled. I’m sure I’ll be the happiest bride in the world that day."

The big wedding day soon arrived. The entire mansion was adorned with red lanterns, celebrating the wedding with grandeur and pomp. Ethan Barnes invited many notables to the event, making it lively.

Celeste Linden stayed by Carlotta’s side the entire time. Although Carlotta kept her under watch, Celeste had to be grateful. Thanks to Carlotta’s watchful eyes, she was spared Ethan’s harassment.

As the groom, Ethan was greeting the guests. His best friend Daniel Langdon came, and they talked.

The Barnes and Langdon families had been close friends for years. Ethan and Daniel grew up together, like brothers. Besides his mother and Carlotta, Daniel was Ethan’s only confidant.

However, their lives took different paths: Ethan chose a life of storms and turmoil, while Daniel, talented from a young age, yearned for cultural refinement and now was the youngest, most influential professor at a prestigious university.

Daniel looked at Ethan, patting him on the shoulder, "Ethan, I couldn’t believe you reunited with Carlotta. Life is indeed dramatic, you’re finally marrying the girl you’ve always wanted. You must be so happy."

Happy?

Ethan gazed into the distance, thinking he must be a cold-hearted man since even Daniel assumed he should be happy, but he felt no happiness at all.

"Ethan, what’s wrong? You don’t look happy at all," Daniel asked, puzzled.

Just then, the wedding hostess shouted, "The bride is here."

Ethan and Daniel looked up to see Carlotta, clad in the bridal headdress and robe, slowly emerge, her head covered with a red veil, supported by Celeste Linden.

Daniel looked at the bride, Carlotta, then focused on the bridesmaid, Celeste Linden, "Ethan, who’s the bridesmaid today?"

Seeing his friend inquire about Celeste Linden, Ethan turned to look at Daniel, who was captivated by her, his eyes following her intently.

Ethan suddenly remembered Daniel wasn’t married yet. His standards were high, and his family had urged him many times already.

Once, he had asked Daniel what kind he liked, and Daniel had only said two words: a woman of talent.

Ethan’s gaze shifted to Celeste Linden; she was indeed a talented woman.