Chapter 3: The Father-in-law Bolted...

Words : 1733 Updated : Nov 6th, 2025

He muttered at the System for a long while; when it stayed silent, Remy Fouldes had no choice but to give up. Just then, the flap of the dressing tent lifted, and Nina Looske stepped out in a lavish wedding dress, dazzling enough to make him blink. No wonder she'd been the it-girl on campus; with just a touch of makeup, she glowed. Catching the hungry gleam in his eyes, Nina couldn't help but warn him. "Just a reminder, this marriage is in name only. You-" Before she could finish, Remy stood up, sauntered over, and circled her like he was inspecting merchandise. He finally drawled, "You really think you're all that?" "You think every guy wants a piece?" "Just don't get any funny ideas about me." He gave a cold snort. "Keep dreaming." The way he said it made it clear he saw himself as out of her league. Nina froze. She was supposed to be the toad? And he was the swan? Where did he get off? Remy didn't spare her another glance. With a cool, impassive face, he turned and walked out of the tent, leaving her standing there, rethinking her life choices. Her molars ground so hard they nearly cracked. How had she never realized just how insufferable Remy could be? "Hurry up. If you dawdle any longer, you can walk out there by yourself!" His bark made her jolt. At this point, there was no way out. Just swallow it and get through the moment. Nina took a deep breath and stepped outside. Aiden led them to their spot for the entrance. On the dais, Harley Looske rattled on, and Remy's face tightened with impatience. "Stop fidgeting," Nina hissed under her breath. "It's just a little while. Can't you hold it together?" Remy turned his head slowly. "That almost sounded like you were hinting at something." She blinked, not catching his meaning, and he added, "You just want my body. Keep dreaming." Aiden stared, dumbfounded. What on earth were these two talking about? He edged back a few steps-he was way too old for this. Color crept up Nina's neck as she realized she'd phrased it badly. She opened her mouth to explain, but Remy wasn't finished. "Fine, fine. I know what you're thinking. Out of the kindness of my heart, I'll let it slide this once. Don't do it again. Also, I'm a little short on cash and need a decent car. Tomorrow, you buy me one. Call it an apology." "Why should I?" Nina snapped. "Money doesn't grow on trees." Remy chuckled. "Oh? And the money I spent on you before-did it just fall from the sky?" "Shameless." The original Remy had spent plenty on her; the dignified third son of the Fouldes family had ended up with no savings to his name. Nina's face darkened. "You chose to spend it. No one forced you." "Well, I'm choosing not to now. Pay it back. If you don't, I'll get up there and kick your dad. Don't believe me? Just watch." "…" He looked dead serious, and Nina knew he'd gone completely off the rails. There was no telling what he might do. "Fine. I'll buy it. Tomorrow." Satisfied, Remy flashed a grin. "That's more like it. And watch your tone when you talk to your man. Also, try offering some emotional support, will you? Lose the long face." She ground her teeth, speechless. She'd just reached to pinch the arm she was holding when he warned, "You pinch me, I kick your dad." The outrageous line made a few people nearby go cold all over. They traded looks and edged away. He didn't seem like a good guy. "Now, please welcome the newlyweds!" The emcee's booming voice rolled out, and guests turned their heads. Remy and Nina switched faces in an instant, sunny smiles blooming. Amid the applause, they walked toward the stage. "Questionable character aside, the guy really is handsome," said a young man in the front row, the same one who'd cheered Remy earlier. No one beside him replied, which was reply enough. Remy stood tall and straight; Nina looked delicate and luminous. They seemed a perfect match. Harley stepped aside, clapping with satisfaction. Graham Looske's eyes burned. All he wanted at that moment was to give Remy a beating. There'd be time for that-the days ahead were long. As soon as they got on stage, Remy made a beeline for Harley, grabbed him, and tugged him to center. Nina's heart lurched. She hadn't forgotten Remy's threat. Thankfully, it was a hand he extended, not a foot. After a brief jolt, Harley understood what Remy wanted. "Thank you all for coming to my daughter's wedding to the third son of the Fouldes family," Harley said with a broad smile, Remy and Nina flanking him. Then he took their hands and placed them together. Applause erupted across the hall. The guests clapped like their lives depended on it. Remy nearly laughed. What a pack of bootlickers. The emcee chimed in, "All right, let's give the stage to the newlyweds!" Harley hurried down the steps. He quietly skipped the customary segment where the groom addresses his in-laws as Mom and Dad in exchange for a red envelope, using his wife's absence as an excuse. No one could guess how big a red envelope Remy would angle for when saying 'Mom and Dad'; better not to risk it. The move left Remy blinking. He'd been planning to squeeze another payment. The father-in-law had bolted. "Miss Looske, do you take Mr. Fouldes to be your husband, to stay by his side for life?" Nina nodded, a little dazed. It was only a transaction, yes, but it was still her wedding. "I do too!" Remy called out before the emcee could ask him. A ripple of laughter and sighs spread through the room. Talk about impatient. "Mr. Fouldes, you may kiss your bride." As soon as he said it, Remy leaned in with a shameless grin, cheek presented. Nina froze, then caught on. With everyone watching, she couldn't refuse. She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. The loudmouth in the front row chimed in again. "Bravo! Remy's a beast! A role model for us all! That's no live-in son-in-law-that's a whole new dad running the place!" Graham could only lead the clapping to steady the room. Remy smiled, then, turning away, wiped his cheek in one swift, discreet swipe. Nina almost exploded. Disgusted. In over twenty years, no one had ever looked disgusted with her. She got angry for a second and ran out of steam. Remy crooked a finger. The emcee hustled over with a microphone. Remy cleared his throat and began, full of gusto, "As you all know, I'm the guy moving into her family. I-" Before he could finish, Nina snatched the mic. "We wish you all good health and every happiness!" She flashed a signal, and the musicians outside struck up a tune. Remy: "…"

Chapter 3: The Father-in-law Bolted...

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