Chapter 1549 - 1536: The Wedding Venue

The wedding day was bustling with excitement. Due to the large number of guests, all of high social standing, and the lack of experience from the young couple and absence of elder support, even with the help of the Shaw Family, they were still overwhelmed.

Fortunately, there were plenty of helpers. Previously, when Richard Shaw got married, Constantine Stewart covered all the expenses to avoid criticisms of extravagance.

Constantine Stewart was a relative of the Shaw Family, wealthy, not involved in politics, nor in government projects. His main assets were in France, and any investments made upon returning home were purely business-related and had no other entanglements.

The Shaw Family benefited from this generosity and when it was his turn to marry, they put in full effort and arranged for a significant help force.

The Countess brought the Earl over, but they were cleverly seated on the VIP side. Due to the complex mother-son relationship, they didn’t hold a traditional Chinese wedding, thus skipping the tea ceremony for the elders.

Thanks to the connection between the Shaw and Howard Families, nearly all the elites from Imperial City attended the wedding. With the Countess and Earl present, there was an element of diplomacy, bringing numerous officials, all personally welcomed by Constantine Stewart. Friends of Richard Shaw and Ignatius Leclair, even members of the Howard Family, were drawn in to help, leaving everyone in awe and flattery.

Chloe Winston remained uninvolved up front, sitting in the bride’s lounge, conversing with the ladies.

With her pregnancy, Constantine Stewart didn’t allow her to wander about entertaining guests, to avoid exhaustion.

The bride wore a traditionally hand-embroidered gown, while the bridesmaids were in mint green dresses, fresh and captivating, a stunning sight to behold.

"Why haven’t I seen Lana Shaw?" The wedding was to last a whole day, with a cruise party at night, so most of the women stayed in the lounge. Chloe Winston laughed as she noticed her bridesmaid, Lana Shaw, was absent.

"She’s probably being dragged around by her fiancé to introduce him to all the high society folk," Calliope Shaw shrugged. She had met Lana’s fiancé, Caspian Yarn, before, and wasn’t particularly impressed, feeling he was too cunning, yet Lana seemed to be won over by him.

Chloe Winston held the little fourth Leclair in her arms. The little one, dressed in snow-white overalls, laughed gleefully at the charming aunties, with big, clear, dark eyes, and tiny arms and legs. If she wasn’t wearing makeup today, Chloe would have kissed this adorable little one to bits.

The one-year-old little fourth Leclair immediately replaced Benjamin’s position upon arrival and became the family’s darling.

The little girl from the Leclair Family was quirky, and Nicholas Carter, being too mature for his age, had already passed the fun stage. Yet this non-speaking, soft, cuddly bundle of joy was ridiculously adorable.

"Fetch Miss Shaw back, saying we’re ready to take photos together," Delphine instructed her assistant. Leah, nearing childbirth, couldn’t attend the wedding, or the task wouldn’t have fallen on her. However, not being a Shaw herself, she gently asked someone to call Lana back.

"Delphine’s right, Alana isn’t even married yet, and the Yarn family’s young master is already leveraging the connection to attend the wedding banquet. Does he want everyone to know he’ll soon become a son-in-law to the Shaw Family?" Calliope whispered, with only Chloe and Delphine hearing.

Both chuckled softly, remaining silent.

"You’re pregnant, don’t always carry the little one; he’s quite heavy," Delphine said, taking the little son from Chloe’s arms and lovingly kissing the excited child. Usually, Ignatius Leclair handled the childcare, but since he was busy hosting guests today, the little one was left to his mother.

"He’s not that delicate; maybe the baby inside likes the little Leclair brother," Chloe joked.

Laughter filled the women’s side, with a harmonious atmosphere. Meanwhile, the guests were equally lively. Among the young elite generation of Imperial City’s prestigious families, there’s been a slight gap, as most of the powerful and high-ranking are married. Even the last remaining eligible bachelor, Constantine Stewart, has tied the knot, leaving the rest either too young or too weak.

The two young ladies from the Shaw family’s branch became the center of attention, but it’s rumored one already has a fiancé.

Lana Shaw soon returned, and the bride, along with several bridesmaids, left the lounge to take photos with guests on the banquet lawn.

Soon, Constantine Stewart, along with the groomsmen, arrived, carefully supporting his young wife, smiling for once, showing patience in taking photos with the guests one by one.

The wedding scene was bustling with excitement.

Caspian Yarn stood by, observing the assembled elites of Imperial City and the newlyweds surrounded by them, with a slight flicker of envy in his eyes.

He naturally wasn’t entitled to step forward for the photoshoot, even attending the wedding was solely due to his connection with Lana Shaw.

The Yarn Family were wealthy in the Seacoast area, and Caspian Yarn was raised in luxury, but no matter how rich, how could they compare to the aristocratic families of Imperial City?

From ancient times, the saying goes that commoners should not contend with officials. No matter how wealthy the Yarn Family was, or how outstanding Caspian was, they were still merely among the merchant class, incomparable to these elite families’ children. Moreover, when he visited the Shaw Mansion, he realized the true weight of power upon meeting the Shaw Family, enough to force someone like him, a promising young man, to humble himself.

Caspian Yarn thought if he could marry into the Shaw Family, he’d be the one envying Constantine Stewart today, and in the future, others would envy him, warming his heart.

"Young Master Yarn, something has happened back home," his confidant whispered as he leaned in.

Caspian signaled with a glance, and they moved to a quieter spot.

"That young lady has disappeared," the confidant whispered in a trembling voice.

Caspian felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar – Tara Chase had gone missing? He was about to get engaged to Lana Shaw, but if Tara appeared, the wedding would be entirely off.

"When did this happen?"

"We’re not exactly sure; our people noticed when delivering supplies that Miss Chase and the woman guarding her were missing. Even the surveillance was destroyed, obviously done by an expert," the confidant, afraid to breathe out loud, said. The young lady had been confined for a year, reportedly driven a bit mad, and suddenly going missing was shocking.

"Should we send people to find her?"

Caspian’s face turned ashen as he shook his head and quietly instructed, "Search in secret. Get a construction crew to level the house, leaving no trace."

Caspian was simultaneously alarmed and anxious. He initially planned to marry Lana Shaw and then bring Tara Chase out. The Chase Family had already fallen, and her relatives were all predatory. Having grown up as childhood sweethearts, she, a naïve and cherubic young girl, had only him to rely on.

He intended to settle in Imperial City but wanted to keep Tara in his family’s estate by Seacoast.

Though the Chase Family was known for their academic background, producing a girl as if she walked out of an ancient lady’s painting, in terms of appearance and talent, she was by no means inferior to any socialite of Imperial City. Compared to Lana Shaw, his heart’s true affection was still for his childhood sweetheart, Tara Chase.

Fortunately, the Chase Family’s affairs were handled seamlessly, and Tara wasn’t aware of the Yarn Family’s role nor that he confined her for a year, providing a glimmer of hope in the situation.

Still, how could she just disappear? Caspian was vexed. Tara’s life was straightforward, and her social circle was narrow. That location was isolated, so who took her away silently?