His Assistant Gave the Bride Rules?! She Didn’t Know Who She was Messing With Chapter 01
I had barely arrived at the wedding venue when Ryan Carter’s
young assistant blocked me beside the white limousine.
Before I could say a word, she stepped on the hem of my dress.
I’m Ryan’s personal assistant. If you’re going to marry him
you’ll have to pass my inspection first.”
Frowning, I pulled my dress free and started to explain who I
was, but she grabbed my wrist.
I’ve seen plenty of women like you, desperate to marry up.
Have you ever stopped to ask whether you’re good enough for him?”
was about to shake her off when Ryan called.
The young assistant picked up and immediately put on a sweet, wounded voice.
Ryan, I was only trying to explain the rules to your fiancée.
She got completely unreasonable and threatened to have me fired!”
Ryan’s voice came through the phone, cold and impatient.
“It’s our wedding day, Claire. How much longer are you going
to make a scene? Apologize to Chloe.”
I almost laughed.
I wasn’t the bride. My best friend, Claire Bennett, was.
She had told me that Ryan had built his company from
nothing and needed only one final investment to turn it around.
Now, listening to him blindly take his assistant’s side, I saw
exactly what kind of marriage my best friend was about to
enter. Even on her wedding day, she was expected to give way to this woman.
snatched the phone from Chloe’s hand and smashed it on the floor in front of everyone.
“The wedding is off.
And so is the investment.”
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my best friend
Claire Bennett’s life. I had promised that no matter what
happened, I would make sure her wedding went smoothly.
But I had taken only two steps into the lobby outside the
Beaumont Hotel ballroom when my dress jerked tight behind me,
Ryan’s personal assistant, Chloe Miller, had seized the chiffon
train with both hands. She pulled so hard that the fabric nearly tore.
“Stop! Who said you could barge in there?”
I halted and looked over my shoulder.
Chloe lifted her chin. Contempt was plain on her heavily made–up face.
She wore a white tulle dress and carried herself as if she, not Claire, were the bride.
While I studied her, she kept her grip on my train and deliberately ground one heel into the delicate fabric pooled on the floor.
Do you even know what kind of event this is? This is an invitation–only wedding, and half the city’s most influential people are here. Every nobody looking to be seen or marry into money thinks she can sneak in. You should’ve checked whether you belonged before trying it.”
I met her gaze with the hint of a smile.
Whether I belong here isn’t your decision. Who exactly are you to stop me?”
My composure caught her off guard.
Her eyes traveled over my custom champagne gown, paused
on the diamond necklace at my throat, and then rolled dramatically.
“Oh. So you’re Claire Bennett.”
She drew out the words and gave a mocking laugh.
Honestly, Ryan’s taste is nothing special. You’re pretty
ordinary. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
“Who knows what tricks you used to get him to marry you?”
She straightened, looking almost proud.
“I’m Ryan’s personal assistant. I manage his schedule, his meals, his house, everything.
“When he has nightmares, I’m the one who has to lie beside him before he can sleep.
“If someone’s going to become Mrs. Carter, she needs my
approval first. I have to make sure she understands the rules and won’t disrupt his life.”
She said it as if it were perfectly normal. Several nearby guests exchanged knowing looks at the intimacy of her claims.
smiled without warmth.
You’re an assistant, yet you seem to think you outrank his fiancée. His company hired you to manage his schedule, not choose his wife or set the rules for his marriage.”
I had struck the exact nerve she tried hardest to hide. Her face flushed bright red.
Don’t act so smug. Ryan gave me full authority.”
She whipped out her phone and shoved the screen toward my face.
The latest message in their thread was from Ryan.
Ryan: [Chloe, you’re in charge of every detail of the wedding. What you say goes.]
She pulled the phone back and stood even taller, drunk on borrowed authority.
“See? Ryan put me in charge. You can go inside, but first we
need to establish a few ground rules.”
She drew a letter–sized sheet from her clutch and slapped it
down in front of me.
It was a so–called marriage agreement filled with
outrageously one–sided demands.
Chloe folded her arms and looked down at me.
“Sign it, and you can walk into that ballroom as today’s bride. If you don’t…”
Her eyes flicked toward the doors, and a taunting smile curved her lips.
Then you may not be getting married today after all.”