A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 186

His smile was so eager to please, so sickeningly sincere.

Winifred blinked. "Two men just told me: you came here to wait for me, planning to toss me a few crumbs of affection to trick me into being your tool. So go ahead, tell me. What do you need me to do for you?"

Holden’s lips curled into a smile. His eyes overflowed with manufactured tenderness. "Winifred, don't listen to their nonsense. My love for you is real, and it's deep. All I want... is for you to live a good life."

Beside him, Miles suppressed a shudder. *Tsk! Mr. Lockwood was really going all out to save his sister, spinning lies without missing a beat.*

Winifred looked away. She slapped Miles on his stiff shoulder and pushed past him.

"Don't go." Holden grabbed her. He grabbed her hand, squeezing her palm, massaging it twice.

"Winifred, don't walk away. Listen to me."

Her small hand was completely engulfed by his large one, feeling the heat radiating from his palm. She flinched.

She ripped her hand out of his grip and took off running.

Holden chased after her, calling out, "Winifred, don't read too much into my engagement to Iris. Please, believe me. You are my life. I'll get you justice and crush everyone who ever hurt you."

Unfortunately, the lies were so outrageous even he was struggling to keep a straight face. Winifred bared her teeth in silent fury.

What an absolute psycho! Putting on this public display, humiliating her—he was despicable.

The elevator doors chimed open right in front of her.

Inside stood Nelly and her two maids.

Winifred found herself face-to-face with the heavily wrinkled, scowling matriarch.

Holden spoke up right then. "Dr. Shultz, please come to the hospital with me. My sister Rochelle is in critical condition."

Just as the words left his mouth, the clack of high heels echoed through the lobby. Frantic footsteps sprinted straight for the elevators from the revolving doors.

Iris's voice cut through the noise. "Holden! Has she not gone to the hospital yet?!"

She skidded to a halt at the elevator banks.

Everyone was suddenly boxed into the narrow space.

Iris was a mess—her wavy hair was tangled, she had no makeup on, her face was swollen, and her eyes were bloodshot.

Without waiting for Holden to answer, she immediately lashed out at Winifred. "Holden came all the way out here to sweet-talk you! Are you still not satisfied?!"

Holden had practically begged her tonight. Wasn't this exactly what she wanted? Why was she being so stubborn? What game was she playing?

"Iris, put away that ugly look. Don't bring that sickening face anywhere near me—"

"Enough!!" Nelly roared.

Winifred glanced over.

Right in front of her, Iris threw herself into Nelly’s arms and burst into tears. "Mrs. Sutton, boo-hoo..."

Nelly’s eyes welled up, her heart breaking for the girl. She stroked Iris's cascading curls, her voice dripping with maternal warmth. "Oh, my sweet girl, I know how wronged you were last night. I know how much it hurts."

"Mrs. Sutton..."

"Just endure it a little longer. It'll all be over soon. Be a good girl, okay?"

Nelly glared at Winifred again, her expression twisted into a knot of disgust and confusion.

Perhaps she was shocked by the sudden revelation that "the Lockwood heir was sweet-talking the doctor," unable to comprehend what was happening.

Holden was Iris's fiancé; they were deeply in love.

Winifred was her private doctor. How did this suddenly turn into a messy love triangle?

Winifred turned around, looking calmly into Holden’s dark, fathomless eyes.

"Let's go."

"Okay," Holden smiled.

As she turned, he reached out and grabbed her hand.

Winifred's heart gave a violent lurch.

Holden gripped her tighter, leaning in and whispering so only she could hear, "Arguing is exhausting. You might as well get something out of me and piss those two off in the process."

"You're insane!"

Behind them, Iris let out a loud, heartbroken sob.

Nelly choked up, comforting her. "Sweetheart, don't cry. Holden just needs her for his sister. He's just using her... stringing her along for a moment."

"I know, I trust him..."

"Good girl. As soon as he's done, he'll be right back by your side."

"I know."

Listening to all of this made Winifred's ears ring. She struggled and fought to pull away.

But Holden's hand was massive compared to hers; she couldn't break his grip. They were halfway down the steps when Holden's phone rang.

Finally, he let her go.

After he hung up, Holden's brows furrowed, his eyes dropping, looking completely devastated.

"My sister... is dead," he said.