Chapter 10 Wedding Day

• Over on Samuel's end, when James made a call to give some orders, he was surprised to find out that the Iron Eightguard weren't around.
• What a joke! The Iron Eightguard were usually tasked with protecting John. How could they not be at the company?
• The backstage was in chaos, but James couldn't be bothered by those insignificant people. He hurriedly urged on.
• "Hurry up! The guests have been waiting for a long time!"
• Amidst the cheers of the guests, Samuel and Yamila finally made their entrance!
• The whole venue erupted in cheers.
• Of course, these cheers weren't just for Samuel's sake but for the Collinses, or more accurately, for James!
• James picked up the microphone.
• "Thanks for joining us at the Collinses's celebration! Today marks the wedding of my nephew, Samuel. On behalf of the Collinses and the White Financial Group, I want to express our gratitude to everyone!"
• After James spoke, everyone from the Collins family beamed with pride.
• With his words, he had already tied the Collinses and the White Financial Group together. Who would dare underestimate the Collinses now?
• Being associated with the White Financial Group was a great honour. It meant that the Collinses would soar to new heights. Everyone smiled at the Collinses, eager to make a good impression.
• James exclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is my nephew, Samuel!"
• Instantly, applause erupted from the audience.
• "Wow, no wonder he's from the Collinses. Such a talent!"
• "I've heard Samuel has achieved great success in his career. He is truly a rising star. Like father, like son!"
• "Samuel's going to be a big shot for sure. Congratulations!"
• ...
• Those relatives and friends who had been rather indifferent in the audience were now standing up one by one to congratulate Samuel, boosting his ego sky-high!
• "Thanks a lot, Mr. Brown, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Walker, and Mrs. Smith!
• Originally, the strength of these families surpassed that of the Collinses, and they rarely interacted with them. Even if they did, it was usually the Collinses who gave them gifts.
• Today, the attitudes of these families have completely turned around. They were all smiling, as if they had been close friends all along.
• The Collinses couldn't help but feel proud of this subtle change in attitude.
• And their gaze was fixed on the focal point of the entire event—James!
• They knew that all these changes were because of James.
• It was because of his status!
• As the Vice President of the White Financial Group!
• It was all thanks to him that these families had switched up their attitude towards the Collinses, from looking down on them to sucking up to them.
• James had a slight smile on his face, totally expecting all of this. He stood tall, eyeing the guests with a gaze that seemed to say, "I'm in charge here."
• His position as Vice President of the White Financial Group brought immense honour to the entire family.
• Like they said, success lifts even the lowest of beings.
• James joked. "And here's the bride, Yamila, the daughter of Simpson Pharmaceuticals."
• There were scattered applause and murmurs, making the Simpsons feel awkward.
• While the Simpsons might be unknown, Yamila was quite the opposite—she had quite the reputation.
• "I think I've read something in the news before. Wasn't there a betrothal gift from the White Financial Group to Yamila's family?"
• The news of the White Financial Group giving a betrothal gift to the Simpsons was a big deal at the time and widely known. Everyone thought it was because the White Financial Group's young master was going to marry Yamila.
• But then, surprisingly, the White Financial Group withdrew the betrothal gift, leaving the Simpsons in a tough spot.
• As soon as it was brought up, everyone recalled the incident.
• "So they're the family whose betrothal gift was revoked by the White Financial Group?"
• The crowd buzzed with surprise. Nobody expected such a thing to happen. Could it be that the White Financial Group's young master rejected the woman, and now Samuel is marrying her?
• It might sound straightforward, but it didn't sit well.
• "Quiet, everyone!"
• James's words instantly silenced the crowd, and all ears were on him.
• "Last time was just a big misunderstanding. I meant to give the Simpsons a betrothal gift on behalf of the White Financial Group for my nephew. But somehow, it got twisted into thinking the White Financial Group's heir was doing it. It was a mix-up, so I had to cancel the gift. Never thought it would cause such a fuss and embarrassment for everyone."
• As James explained, everyone suddenly got it.
• James did have some prestige! Being able to give a betrothal gift in the name of the White Financial Group showed his high status at the company! Probably even higher up than the other vice presidents!
• Samuel breathed a sigh of relief. He knew it wasn't his uncle who gave the betrothal gift. Saying so was just to save face. As for the White Financial Group's gift, maybe there was a mix-up?
• Suddenly, someone in the audience piped up, "By the way, I heard Yamila has a fiancé, and he even tried to assault Yamila's sister. Is that true?"
• James sneered. "Just a poor boy from the mountains. With his background, how could he handle a beauty like her?
• "And to top it off, he's the kind who doesn't even spare his sister-in-law. He's just a scumbag. Even if the Simpsons were small, they wouldn't stoop to that level of trash, haha!"
• The crowd burst into laughter, as if a group of dragons were discussing an insignificant ant.
• Meanwhile, Yamila clenched her fists tightly, nearly grinding her teeth to bits. The scumbag the Collinses were talking about was obviously Samuel!
• Leon hasn't done any of those things. He's being falsely accused!
• "Mr. Samuel, I heard he even beat you up?"
• James responded, "Exactly! That country bumpkin dared to lay a hand on my nephew. I haven't settled the score with him yet!"
• Ivan, the head of the Brown family, immediately stood up with confidence. "Mr. Collins, there's no need for you to get your hands dirty on this one. The Brown family is willing to take care of it!"
• Before James could respond, an elder behind him rose, laughing heartily.
• He said, "My Johnson family is also more than willing to help out. Dealing with such small fry, it'd be overkill for you to step in, Mr. Collins."
• Brad Walker, the head of the Walker family, also stood up. "No need for both of you. We've got plenty of muscle. With just a word from me, he'll have nowhere to hide."
• An elderly woman rose, her voice dripping with disdain. "Why are you guys causing such a fuss for a country bumpkin? I could round up a few thugs from the streets and deal with him.
• "Mr. Collins, what's your call? Should we cripple him, take a hand, or maybe both hands and legs?"
• James burst into laughter. "Thanks for the offer, everyone. But there's no need to trouble yourselves. I've already sent someone to get him."
• The crowd was taken aback. "You've sent your men?"
• James nodded. "I've sent the Iron Eightguard from the White Financial Group!"
• Instantly, the crowd erupted into murmurs.
• "The Iron Eightguard are the toughest bodyguards in our city. They say each one could take on ten men, all retired from special forces!"
• "This is like using a bazooka to kill a mosquito. Sending the Iron Eightguard after some poor kid? Haha!"
• Yamila trembled, lifting her head to glare at Samuel.
• He broke his promise!
• Even though he agreed to let Leon go, he's still sending people to capture him?
• Samuel muttered, "B*tch, don't try anything funny. Just behave, and I'll spare his life. But if you mess around, I swear he won't make it out alive!"
• Yamila bit her lip hard, feeling incredibly anxious.
• Leon, you have to run!
• With all these powerful families and the White Financial Group involved, Leon, a nobody, wouldn't stand a chance against them.
• The only way out was to return to the mountains!
• Yamila wanted to call Leon again, but it was just impossible to do at the moment.
• Just as she was about to despair, a door opened, silencing the whole room.
• The main door had been closed tightly earlier, and late guests were prohibited from entering. Who would dare open the doors to the banquet hall at this moment? It was just asking for trouble, wasn't it?
• Under everyone's gaze, a young man came into view.
• Dressed in grey clothes and with an outfit worth less than 30 dollars, he looked out of place among the wealthy crowd.
• However, his demeanour was extraordinary, giving off the vibe of someone destined for bigger things.
• At the same time, eight burly men followed behind him, each as imposing as a mountain. Broad-shouldered and strong, they walked with a powerful stride. Even without speaking or making any movements, they exuded an intense, oppressive aura.
• James frowned and asked coldly, "Who are you?"
• "Leon."
• As soon as the words were spoken, the room erupted into chatter.
• "So you're Leon!"
• Ivan stood up.
• He said coldly, "Kid, we haven't even had the chance to find you, and you just walked right in. You've got a death wish!
• "Hmph! You've got the nerve to show up here? Aren't you embarrassed enough already?"
• All members of the Simpson family looked seriously annoyed. How could this Leon be so clueless? This is a wedding, not a place to stir up trouble!
• Luckily, we have already cut ties with him. Otherwise, we could have been dragged into this mess!
• Hearing Leon's voice, Yamila trembled. Seeing his familiar figure filled her with even more despair.
• Leon, why are you so foolish? Why did you have to come?
• The Collinses intended to capture Leon and humiliate him.
• Watching the woman he loved marry someone else was more than Leon could bear.
• Samuel sneered. "Leon, keep your eyes wide open today. Don't even blink!"
• James chuckled coldly and said, "Everyone, calm down."
• "These eight men here are the Iron Eightguard of the White Financial Group!
• "I'm the one who told them to bring this poor kid here!"
• James looked at the Iron Eightguard and said, "Hold him down!"
• After he said that, there were a few seconds of silence. James then frowned.
• "Why aren't you moving?"