Chapter 23

Vanessa was trying on her wedding dress when her phone suddenly chimed several times. She was busy adjusting the hem of her dress and didn't have time to look. So she lowered her head and hurriedly said, 'Charles, help me check the messages.' Beside her, Charles Gadsby stood in a black suit that accentuated his tall frame. 'Of course.' He leaned against the wall, picked up Vanessa's phone, and unlocked it using her initials and birthday. When he saw Maya's message, Charles paused before reading aloud: 'Nessa, Keanu and Seamus want to attend your wedding. Should we... allow them?' His eyes darkened slightly, voice tinged with possessiveness. 'What do you think, Nessa? Should they come to our wedding?' Charles closed the distance between them, dismissing the attendant before carefully adjusting her train himself. His broad frame enveloped her completely as his elegant fingers worked on the delicate fabric, the motions unwittingly creating an air of intimacy. 'Charles... maybe... perhaps