The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (Bella and scott) novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Craig

I had always known Scott would choose the most dangerous timing possible, because he thought he could control me, but I knew this was pressure at its peak. An hour before his wedding, with guests arriving, his attention would be pulled in every direction. I chuckled at his foolishness as I entered the venue. Looking at the decorations, I had to say that it was the most exotic wedding I had witnessed. Or the most exotic ruin.

I stood beside Maya, watching everything. This was it. This was when everything I had planned would come together. Scott had no room to maneuver, because his reputation was hanging by a thread and that of his bride was standing on the edge of public humiliation. I had all the leverage, and I intended to squeeze it until I got every dollar I wanted.

I approached him calmly at first. In a low voice, I said, “I want my money now, all of it, and in cash. Don’t delay, and I don’t want any excuses.”

I watched his face carefully as I spoke. Why was he looking infuriatingly composed?

“You have to wait a little longer,” he said. “The money is already on its way.” He added, “I want Bella to see proof that it had been paid, because I need her reassured, and I need her convinced that her life would not be ruined.”

The way he said her name, something sharp and bitter twisted in my chest, but I forced it down. Gritting my teeth, I gave a tight nod and told myself that patience was virtue. Still, as more people began to arrive, as the space got filled with laughter and movement, my patience thinned. Every minute that passed without money in my hands felt like a risk.

I went to him again. My tone was tighter this time. “Where is my payment?”

He looked at me as if I were inconveniencing him. “Give him ten more minutes, because Bella will be arriving shortly.”

I reminded him, “You had promised payment an hour before the wedding, and I demand to know why there was a delay now.” I could feel my temper rising. My control slipped just enough to make my fingers twitch at my sides.

“Your impatience would not help the situation,” Scott said in an even voice. “I will pay, because I can’t afford to have my reputation destroyed.”

As twenty more minutes passed, my nerves began to fray. I stood up, ready to confront him again, but Maya reached for my arm and stopped me. She whispered, “You need to calm down. Bella is powerless in this situation, and Scott has already given in. The money will come, and all you have to do is wait.”

My jaw clenched as I sat down again and watched the room fill. Then Bella appeared.

She walked in wearing her wedding dress, and the sight of her hit me harder than I expected. She looked beautiful. Jealousy burned through me so fast it made my hands shake. She walked toward Scott like she belonged to him, and when he reached out and pulled her up onto the podium, something inside me snapped.

And when Scott nodded at the priest to begin the ceremony, panic surged through me. This was wrong. This was not how it was supposed to go. He was stalling, stretching time, trying to pull me into the point of no return.

I stood up abruptly, the movement drawing attention from every corner of the room, and I walked toward them. The murmurs around me told me I had shocked the guests, but I didn’t care.

I stopped in front of Scott and seethed, “You are forgetting something.”

He looked at me with a calm expression “I truly have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I leaned closer and whispered so only he could hear me. “Before this wedding goes any further, you had better give me the money you promised. If you don’t pay immediately, I would destroy Bella publicly, and I would do it right here if necessary. This is your last chance, because I will not wait any longer!”

Scott POV

Craig stood in front of me, shaking with anger. I kept my face calm, even though my Lycan was raging beneath my skin.

I asked casually, “What are you talking about, Craig?”

He stared at me as if he couldn’t believe my nerve. “Don’t play games with me,” he snapped. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. The money. You promised it before the wedding

I tilted my head slightly. “I promised to handle things,” I replied calmly. “You’re making a scene for no reason.”

That was all it took. Craig exploded. “Now watch me!”

He shoved Maya’s hand away when she tried to stop him and turned toward the guests. “Everyone, listen to me,” he shouted. “This wedding is a lie. Bella cheated on Scott with me. I have proof. She slept with me while she was engaged to him!”

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

He pointed at Bella wildly. “She’s mine. She always was. And I’m here to stop this wedding.”

I saw Bella sway where she stood, tears spilling down her cheeks, her body trembling. Something inside me snapped. I crossed the distance between us in two strides, grabbed Craig by the collar, and shoved him hard to the floor. “You’ve gone too far,” I growled. “You should have stayed quiet.”

Craig laughed bitterly as he scrambled backward, panic and fury mixing in his eyes. “Too late,” he spat. “You should’ve paid me when you had the chance.”

Before anyone could react, he pulled out his phone. I saw his thumb tap the screen.

A second later, phones across the hall buzzed. I looked at Troy who nodded with tension bunching in his shoulders. Through mind–link he said that the video was released to the media outlets, business rivals and social platforms.

Gasps turned into murmurs as people checked their screens. Craig straightened, breathing hard, and looked at me with a twisted smile. “I warned you,” he said harshly. “Now you’re finished. Your precious bride is ruined.”

Bella let out a broken sob, covering her mouth as she stared around the room. Maya stood off to the side, watching with a look that was far too pleased.

Craig spread his arms wide. “Go on,” he sneered at Bella. “Look at what you’ve done. I told you I’d destroy you.”

But instead of outrage or shock, something strange happened.

People started laughing.

At first it was a few confused chuckles, then more voices joined in. Craig froze, his smile slipping. “What the hell is wrong with you people?” he demanded.

He rushed forward and snatched a phone from a man in the front row. As soon as he looked at the screen, he paled.

“No,” he whispered. “That’s not-”

The video playing on the screen didn’t show Bella.

It showed Maya.

Clear as day. Her face. Her body. This video was followed by another video with the timestamp stamping everything in place. And in that video Bella was with me. So while he was having sex with Maya, Bella was sitting in my lap, kissing me.

Around us, whispers turned into outright laughter and disbelief. Someone said, “Isn’t that Maya?” Another muttered, “That’s

not the bride.”

Maya staggered back, shaking her head. “Craig,” she whispered, panicky. “That’s not possible.”

I stepped up behind him slowly. “How does the unedited version look?” I asked quietly.

Craig turned toward me, terror finally flooding his eyes. “H–how lid-”

“How did I get the real version?” I finished his sentence.