Chapter 5 No Wedding

• Iris considered Aria's argument and suddenly broke out in a relieved smile. "Well, I suppose you have a point."
• The corners of Aria's lips slightly curled up. "Mom was right when she told you to look at the big picture. The bungalow in Primrose Hill is only worth approximately eight million on the market. The money we stand to make from the megaproject would be several times that amount. More importantly, Lancaster Incorporated could benefit from a big break like this. This is our chance to diversify into other enterprises; this megaproject is just a starting point for the company's eventual advent."
• Iris beamed. "In that case, I have no objections to giving up my bungalow. It's for the greater good."
• Hence, Lori had Iris sign over the bungalow to Raven. Then, she told Iris to retrieve the necklace so she could personally deliver it to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
• Meanwhile, as Raven sipped coffee in the cafe, she heard her phone beep with new messages. As it turned out, numerous bank transfers had been made to her account. She glanced at the current balance and saw that she had a whopping sixty million in savings.
• Then, Lori texted her that she was on her way to the Civil Affairs Bureau with the necklace and the bungalow transfer deed. She even sent several photos of the transfer deed with Iris' signature as proof. It also included a photograph of the necklace in impeccable condition.
• "Guess they really couldn't wait," Raven murmured to herself.
• "What?" Elias glanced at her curiously.
• She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing."
• "Shall we go get our marriage license?" he asked.
• She nodded.
• Then, they proceeded to the Civil Affairs Bureau. The car had just rolled to a stop in front of the building when Raven looked out the window and saw Lori with a docket near the building entrance. Then, Lori craned her neck to peer at the cars pulled up by the curb.
• Raven resisted the urge to scoff out loud. Someone is excited, she mused.
• Lori smiled warmly at Raven as she approached the building, met her halfway, and handed her the docket. "Raven, you left your ID at home, so I thought I'd bring it to you."
• While saying this, Lori gave Raven a subtle wink that indicated whatever it was Raven had asked was in the docket.
• "Thank you." Raven grinned. She could feel the heft of the docket, and indeed, she could make out the shape of the necklace through the paper. She turned to Elias and said, "Let's go in."
• The only item she cared about in the docket was the necklace her mother had left her. It was the only thing she had of Georgia, but Iris had claimed it for herself.
• Raven had repeatedly demanded that Iris return the necklace, and Iris would always come up with excuses, the most common of which was that she had misplaced it. However, Raven had seen Iris wear the necklace on multiple occasions. She knew Iris was not interested in the accessory, but Iris stole it for the sheer thrill of it. The more anxious Raven was, the bolder and happier Iris became, which was why she did not even bother to return the necklace.
• After so many years, the necklace was finally reunited with its rightful owner. She clutched the docket tightly as if it were her mother's love and blessings.
• A marriage license could be obtained in a swift endeavor. Raven and Elias had filled out the paperwork, taken their pictures, and paid the fees to collect their marriage license. They didn't take long to leave the Civil Affairs Bureau as a legally married couple.
• Raven tipped her face up to the sky and muttered, "I can't believe I'm married now."
• Elias placed the marriage license into the envelope, then looked at her and said, "You'll be staying with me at Mortimer House from today onward. While you're there, the only person you have to show respect to is my Grandpa, just like I do. As for everyone else, you are not required to acknowledge them."
• She did not probe further and merely nodded in agreement.
• Satisfied with her compliant demeanor, Elias added, "You'll have to tell me if anyone in the household picks on you."
• She nodded once more, and she didn't think she would allow anyone the chance to pick on her. After all, she was a college student who would spend most of her time on campus.
• "Do you have any luggage you'd like to pick up from home?" he asked.
• Raven shook her head once, then nodded quickly. She hadn't brought much from home, but her clean laundry and laptop were still at the Lancaster Residence. Now that Raven had given it some thought, she could not help but feel sorry for herself. She had lived in that house for twenty years, but she owned so few possessions that it was as if she had never lived there.
• "I'll accompany you, then," Elias offered Raven as if his voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Without a word, he walked toward the parking lot.
• She hurried to catch up to him.
• When they were in the car, he asked forthrightly, "Any ideas for how the wedding and honeymoon should be?"
• "Nope," she replied with a head shake.
• "Do you ever think about what your ideal wedding would be like?" he pressed.
• She shook her head again. "Not really."
• That was a lie. Raven had indeed thought about the kind of wedding she would like to have. It would be on a beautiful island, and she would walk down the aisle dressed in white. When she arrived at the altar, she would exchange vows—"in sickness and in health, until death do us part"—with the love of her life while her family and friends cheered them on.
• Unfortunately, she no longer had any family, and the love of her life had left her high and dry.
• Elias took her word for it and suggested, "Shall we skip the wedding and just go straight to our honeymoon?" He did not intend to throw a wedding either since his grandpa was the only real family member he had in Elmstead.
• Raven nodded once. She decided that she preferred the idea of travel instead of a wedding. It was hassle-free, and it would save her from the embarrassment if she had a wedding without her family's blessings.
• "Which country do you want to visit?" Elias asked.
• "Denmark," she answered swiftly. It was the ancestral home of some of her favorite fairy tales. Even though she was way past the age to indulge in such fantasies, she still wished to visit the land that inspired such enchanted tales.
• The car cruised down the road and pulled up outside the Lancaster Residence. It took Raven all but five minutes to pack up her belongings.
• Elias was stunned when she emerged from the front door with nothing but a black backpack over her shoulders. Is that all she's bringing? She is an illegitimate daughter. He suddenly realized he was no better and let out a self-deprecating chuckle. However, he did feel a rush of sympathy for Raven.
• As she drew close to the car, he opened the door for her and grabbed the backpack from her.
• Elias took Raven back to Mortimer House and led her to his bedroom. She was visibly anxious at the sight of the layout. "But there's only one bed," she said incredulously.
• He dismissed her worries. "I'll be sleeping in the study."
• Relieved to hear this, she beamed and said, "All right, then."
• Elias was admittedly surprised to see how pretty she looked when she smiled.
• Then, the maid came by the room to tell them that lunch was ready.
• Raven followed Elias down to the first-floor dining room, where she noticed familiar faces at the table. It seemed that Gideon, Lori, Aria, and Iris had all been invited to lunch.
• Lori was the first to greet her. With much enthusiasm, she beckoned Raven over, "Come take a seat, Raven. It's your big day today, and as a mother, I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for you." It had become a norm for her to address herself as Raven's mother in public.
• Raven took the seat next to Lori, who immediately took her hand and said affectionately, "Now that you're married, you must remember to carry out your wifely duties and be poised at all times. You really must try to live up to the Mortimers' standards."
• On the other hand, Iris looked gleeful as she chimed in, "I'm so jealous of you, Raven. I can't believe you got married before Aria and me and to a man as exceptional as Mr. Elias, no less. You're a true winner in life."
• Elias' gaze flickered over Iris' face as she said this. Jealous? Exceptional? She certainly didn't look like she meant any of these. On the contrary, she looked like she was filled with wicked amusement.
• Iris caught the look Elias gave her, and she quickly turned away, afraid to meet his gaze.
• The maids didn't take long to serve lunch. Within minutes, both sides of the family began to discuss the upcoming wedding while they ate.
• Joseph was more than respectful of the Lancasters' opinions on the matter, so he asked, "Gideon, go ahead and tell me the ideas you have for Elias and Raven's wedding."
• Gideon's eyes flashed as he tried to come up with a response.
• On the other hand, Lori seemed to have no trouble with words as she interjected, "You're too kind, Old Mr. Joseph. It's already generous enough of you to offer our company collaboration on the megaproject. We're family now that Raven and Elias are married. We aren't expecting anything lavish for the wedding other than a festive mood, I suppose."
• Raven couldn't help but smirk when she heard this. It's so uncouth of her to bring up the megaproject. The Mortimers will sense her desperation at this rate.