"A leopard can't change its spots! Using such a cheap trick to make himself look good, it's disgusting! Just wait, I'll make sure he regrets it on the wedding day!" Humphrey Walker spat out angrily.
"Trash, even if he rides in a luxury car, it won't change his fate. My ugly sister is completely blind to fall for him!"
Sierra shared the sentiment, feeling an inexplicable tightness in her chest.
Meanwhile, Priya Yarrow sat in the luxury car, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles, her nerves on edge.
Priya suspected that Navid had rented the car, but she chose not to ask, respecting his pride and dignity.
The glamorous woman driving Navid turned back respectfully and addressed him, "Master."
"Lira, when we're alone, just call me brother. This is your sister-in-law."
Sister-in-law? Lira's eyes widened in shock, though she dared not question it, her mind racing with a thousand questions.
What had she just heard? The master got married? Could the girl beside the sister-in-law be the master's precious daughter?
"Got it, b-brother!"
Lira, who usually had the courage to face any challenge, found herself stammering when addressing Navid as brother.
She never dreamed that one day she would be acknowledged as the master's sister, an immense honor.
Navid, with his wife and daughter, returned to Priya's home, eager to experience the life his wife and child had lived over the years.
Back at home, Priya headed straight to the kitchen, busily preparing a meal.
Little Nunu clung to her father, insisting that Navid Byrd read her the only two fairy tale books she had. Priya Yarrow listened to her daughter's bell-like laughter echoing from the living room and watched the harmonious bond between father and daughter. Her heart was filled with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She had longed for days like this for five years, and even now, it felt somewhat unreal.
Dinner was simple, yet the family of three was filled with joy and warmth. After the meal, Navid fully embraced his role as a doting dad, telling stories and waiting up until Nunu fell asleep. He gently tucked her in and placed her on the bed.
For some reason, once their daughter was asleep, the atmosphere in the room turned a bit intimate. Under the dim, soft light, Priya felt a little awkward, having been apart from Navid for so long.
Navid sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Priya, who had just finished washing up and was wearing a cotton nightgown. His heart raced; this was the woman he had longed for over the past five years.
Suddenly, Navid stood up and pulled the stiff Priya onto his lap. He had never seen her face before; their parting had been too hurried, leaving many words unspoken and things undone.
"No!" Priya quickly grasped the veil on her face, preventing Navid from removing it. Her eyes, bright as stars, seemed to speak, filled with worry, insecurity, and deep pain.
Navid sighed. Although his heart ached for her, he was determined not to compromise today. He had to see his wife's true face.
"Priya, I'm sorry. I didn't know that when you saved me, it left scars on your face that would never heal. I never asked for your name or your story..."
Navid Byrd felt a deep sense of regret. If he could turn back time, he would do things differently. Even if he had to wander the ends of the earth, he wouldn't have left his wife waiting hopelessly for five long years.
"Actually, I'm the one who should apologize," Priya Yarrow said, lost in her memories. She frowned as she finally voiced the words she'd buried deep inside. "I knew you were kept in the dark and married the wrong bride, yet I still longed for your embrace. I wanted to confess to you later, but before I could, you disappeared..."
"You don't need to apologize. I never married the wrong bride. You are the eldest daughter of the Yarrow family! You are the girl who saved me! My wife can only be you, Priya."
"Let's not dwell on the past, Priya. Let me see you!"
Navid held Priya tightly, refusing to let her shy away, and gently unveiled her face.
Her skin was as flawless as porcelain, her nose like a perfect pearl, and her lips a deep crimson—she was breathtakingly beautiful.
If one overlooked the ten-inch scar resembling a centipede on the right side of her face, she truly was the most dazzling woman.
"Is it ugly?" Priya asked, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice hoarse.
"How could it be ugly? Silly girl, no matter what, you're always beautiful to me."
Navid took Priya's hand and tenderly kissed the scar on her face, his heart filled with compassion. He had already sent Lira to find the elusive Glimmer Grass, certain it would heal Priya's face.
Outside, thirty-two elite warriors of the Great Xia Kingdom stood in solemn formation, their presence silent yet intimidating.
"Master! Everyone is assembled, awaiting your orders," Lira, the leader, said with a respectful bow.
Navid Byrd stepped out, his expression calm but his gaze as sharp as a blade, sending chills down anyone's spine.
"Lira, how's the task I assigned you?" he asked.
"Master, everything is ready. We're just waiting for your command!" Lira replied solemnly.
"Good. Without my order, no one is to act rashly!"
Lira looked slightly puzzled and glanced up at Navid. "Master..."
"The Zhang, Wang, and Xia families must be dealt with, but not today!" Navid took a deep breath, gazing up at the night sky.
"Master, I've discovered that your elder brother, Justin Byrd, is still alive, but..." Lira hesitated, unsure of how to continue.
"Speak! Where is he?" Navid's excitement was uncontrollable upon hearing that his brother was alive.
"Five years ago, Justin Byrd became a live-in son-in-law of the Ge family!"
"A live-in son-in-law, huh? Seems like we have some fate in common," Navid Byrd said with a slight smirk, his expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Did you find the address? Let's go check it out," Navid instructed calmly after glancing at the time.
"Yes, sir!" Lira replied respectfully, not daring to slack off.
Navid was pleasantly surprised to learn that there were other surviving members of the Byrd family besides himself.
Fifteen minutes later, Navid was waiting outside Building Eight of Golden Water Community.
According to Lira, his brother would drop off his sister-in-law for work at this time every day, rain or shine.
Sure enough, Navid's eyes lit up after a short wait.
He spotted Justin Byrd wearing a slightly worn-out suit, cautiously holding a red handbag, following behind a flamboyantly dressed woman.
He looked nothing like the confident man he once was, more like a sidekick.
Navid's initial excitement slowly turned into a cold indifference.
"Master, that's Miss Julie from the Ge family, Justin Byrd's wife," Lira whispered, her body trembling slightly from the chill Navid exuded.
"Alright, wait for me in the car," Navid instructed, suppressing his aura as he strode toward Justin.
"You... you're... Navid?" Justin Byrd noticed the tall man approaching him, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Brother, how have you been?" Navid greeted with a hearty smile.
"It's really you! Navid, you're alive?"
Tears streamed down Justin Byrd's face as he rushed forward to embrace Navid Byrd tightly, too choked up to say anything else.
"Big brother!" Navid said, patting Justin's back heavily, sharing in the unspoken pain and heartache.
"Hey, you useless fool! How dare you throw my limited edition bag on the ground!" Julie, who had been walking ahead, turned around and snapped angrily.
"I-I was just so excited to see my brother! The bag's not damaged," Justin replied awkwardly, picking up the bag he had accidentally dropped, trying to smile apologetically.
"Hmph! Can't even handle a small thing right, so useless!" Julie huffed in dissatisfaction.
Clearing his throat, Justin pulled Navid closer and introduced him, "Navid, this is your sister-in-law."
"Hello, sister-in-law. Sorry for the intrusion," Navid said politely, though he disliked seeing his brother being treated poorly, he knew it wasn't his place to interfere in their marriage.
"Oh wow, didn't expect you to be so bold, coming empty-handed on your first visit?" Julie said rudely, rolling her eyes.
"What are you saying? He's my brother, can't you cut him some slack?" Justin said, his face showing signs of embarrassment and frustration.
"Ha! So what if he's your brother? Isn't he just scraping by like a rat?" Julie retorted sharply, pointing at Justin. "If it weren't for my family, who knows how many times you'd have been done for! And now you dare glare at me?"
"Sister-in-law, my apologies. I'll bring a gift next time," Navid said, trying to defuse the tension.
"Navid, you're getting married? That's great news! I'm sure our grandfather's spirit will be happy too!" Justin Byrd was both crying and laughing, overwhelmed with emotion.
"What are you so excited about? Getting married in two days? I don't have time for that!" Julie scoffed. "No need to bother with poor relatives. Haven't they caused us enough trouble? Who knows which unlucky girl is involved this time!"
"Sister-in-law, a car will pick you up, and we've prepared a big red envelope for you both. We hope you can come," Navid Byrd said calmly.
"Hmph, a big red envelope? Where's the wedding?" Julie's interest was piqued at the mention of money, though her tone remained dismissive.
"At the Star Sea Hotel," Navid replied with a slight smile. He knew his sister-in-law's personality well—vain and materialistic.
"Oh?" For the first time, Julie gave Navid a serious look. Born and raised in Nantong City, she knew that even the prestigious Ge family found it challenging to book a venue at the Star Sea Hotel.
This man, dressed so ordinarily, must have some hidden resources.
"I'll see if I can make it," Julie said, trying to maintain her aloof demeanor.
"Yes, yes, we'll definitely come, Navid.
You're already at our doorstep. Come in and sit for a while," Justin urged, eager to catch up with his brother and learn how he'd been all these years.
Navid smiled and said, "There's plenty of time in the future. I'll send a car for you in two days. Brother, sister-in-law, I'll take my leave now."