The Billionaire's Challenge

The Wedding

Chapter 4

The Wedding

(Audrina's POV)

Two days later, the lake by the family estate was transformed into a picturesque wedding venue. The sun glittered on the water, casting soft, golden light over the sprawling grounds, where white roses and ivy lined the walkways leading to the ceremony. It was surreal to think Soren and Nicola had met here as children. Now, years later, they were getting married in the same spot where they’d first fallen in love.

I stood near the edge of the gathering, watching as guests began to take their seats. I had to admit, the estate never looked better. It had been turned into a scene out of a fairytale, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to enjoy it. Something I had barely allowed myself since landing here.

As I wandered, I ran into old friends I hadn’t seen in years. There was something nostalgic about being surrounded by familiar faces—people I’d grown up with, who knew me before I left. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, and for once, it felt easy to forget the tension that had weighed on me since I arrived.

“Nezi! Look at you, you haven’t changed a bit!”

I turned to see Nadia, an old friend from our childhood summers. She rushed over, her eyes bright with joy. We hugged, and for the first time in days, I felt myself genuinely smile.

“Nadia! It’s been forever.”

We fell into an easy rhythm, catching up on each other’s lives. More familiar faces joined us, and soon, I was wrapped in conversations about old memories, summer escapades, and the shared experiences of growing up in the shadow of powerful families.

For a moment, I wasn’t thinking about my father or the business he so desperately wanted me back in. I was just Audrina, reconnecting with people who had been part of my past.

The ceremony began as the sun started to set, casting a golden hue over the lake. Nicola looked stunning in a simple, elegant gown, and Soren couldn’t stop smiling as he watched her walk down the aisle. The vows were heartfelt, filled with laughter and inside jokes that made the guests chuckle. Even I had to wipe a tear away—Soren and Nicola had been through so much, and now they were finally tying the knot in the place that held so much meaning for them.

After the ceremony, as guests moved toward the reception, I found myself wandering near the gardens, taking in the quiet beauty of the estate. That’s when I bumped into him.

“Pardon,” I muttered, stepping back.

The man turned around, and for a moment, I was caught off guard. He was tall, dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit, and those sea-blue eyes—there was something familiar about them, though I couldn’t quite place it.

“Hello again, beautiful,” he said, his French accent curling around the words. His voice was smooth, almost playful.

I raised an eyebrow. “Again?”

He smiled, and it was the kind of smile that made you wonder what he was thinking. “We nearly ran into each other a few days ago. Accius,” he said, extending his hand.

I hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. His grip was firm, but gentle, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew him from somewhere. And not just from the other day, but now that he mentioned it, I remember bumping into him on my way into the house as I was trying to get away from Basil.

“Accius,” I repeated, testing the name. “French, I assume?”

He chuckled, a low, warm sound that didn’t quite match the sharpness of his gaze. “The accent, yes. But I’ve spent a lot of time outside France. Perhaps that’s why I seem… familiar?”

I studied him for a second, but something about the way he said it made me cautious. He was definitely familiar, but I couldn’t pin down where or when I had seen him before.

“Maybe,” I said, noncommittally. “So, what brings you to the wedding?”

“Oh, I have my connections,” he replied vaguely, his smile lingering. “Let’s just say I’m well-acquainted with the family.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of him. His eyes never left mine, and though his smile was charming, there was something unreadable about him.

“Well, I should—” I started to excuse myself, but before I could, he cut in.

“I’d love to know more about you, Audrina,” he said smoothly. “Perhaps later tonight?”

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by his directness. “We’ll see,” I said, before turning and walking back toward the reception.

As the evening wore on, the reception became a swirl of dancing, speeches, and endless conversations. It was a beautiful night, and for a while, I found myself swept up in it all. I laughed with Thessaly, shared stories with my cousins, and danced with Mirana and Nicola.

But just when I thought I could relax, Nicola introduced me to a man named Markus.

“Markus, this is Audrina,” she said, smiling warmly. “Audrina, Markus is a friend of my family.”

Markus was charming—too charming, in fact. He had the polished, smooth-talking demeanor of a man used to getting what he wanted. I smiled politely and exchanged pleasantries, but when he casually mentioned being a business acquaintance of my father’s, something inside me tensed.

“I should—excuse me,” I said quickly, stepping away. The last thing I needed was to get involved with another of my father’s associates.

As I moved away from Markus, I spotted my father watching me from across the room. His eyes were cold, calculating. It was only a matter of time before he approached me.

I braced myself as he made his way over, his posture imposing as ever.

“Audrina,” he said, his voice low. “I see you’ve been making new friends.”

“I’ve been catching up with old friends,” I corrected, refusing to let him control the conversation.

Ramsey’s eyes narrowed. “You know what I meant.”

“What do you want, Father?” I asked, my patience thinning.

He sighed; the sound filled with feigned disappointment. “I want you to see reason, Audrina. This running away, this little life you’ve built in Paris—it’s not sustainable. You belong here, with your family, in the business.”

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. “I’m not coming back, and I’m not marrying anyone you pick for me. This is my life, not yours to control.”

His expression darkened, and I knew I had struck a nerve. “You’re being foolish. You think you can outrun this? You think you can just live your life without consequence?”

“I already am,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ve built something for myself, and I won’t let you take that away.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. “I’m done, Father. I’m leaving tonight.”

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, his power over me crumbling with every step I took.

By the time the night was winding down, I was more than ready to leave. A helper brought my bag down from my room, and I said my goodbyes to my brothers.

Soren hugged me tightly. “Do you really have to go, Nezi?”

I smiled, my heart aching a little. “I’ll always be your sister, Soren. Visit me in Paris, okay?”

Kaiden joined in, looking equally forlorn. “We’ll miss you. You better not disappear on us again.”

“I won’t,” I promised. “But I need to go.”

Noah stood a little apart from them, watching me quietly. He hadn’t said much since our argument earlier, but as I walked toward the car, he pulled me into a quick hug.

“I’ll see you soon,” he murmured.

When I arrived at the airport, I handed my ticket to the attendant, only to find out I had been upgraded to first class. I didn’t need to guess who was behind it—Noah.

Shaking my head with a smile, I boarded the plane and settled into the plush seat. I exhaled deeply, finally allowing myself to relax.

As I adjusted the seat, someone slid into the seat next to mine.

“Hello, beautiful.”

I turned, startled to see none other than Accius, his familiar grin spreading across his face.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, half-amused, half-irritated.

He leaned in slightly, his voice playful. “Fate, wouldn’t you say?”

I stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or groan. One thing was for sure—this flight just got a lot more interesting.