Gordon picked up the shoe, walked over to Caitlin, and knelt on one knee, carefully helping her put it on.

Once the shoes were on, tradition dictated that the bride be carried downstairs by her brother. Easton lifted Caitlin onto his back and walked down the stairs, one step at a time.

Watching their daughter get into the wedding car, Stuart Gonzales and Carey

Richards both broke down, crying into their hands. The eight Richards uncles were also weeping uncontrollably. The three elders shed silent tears.

With celebratory fanfare, the spectacular procession began.

The wedding was being filmed by the media.

Soon, online viewers started noticing something unusual.

[Holy crap! Is that Zach I see at Master Ninth and Miss Gonzales's wedding?!]

[Mr. Bright!!!]

[Oh my god, isn't that the tribal chief from Lexington?]

[Victor Winslow from Apex Game Studios??]

[Moon! It's Moon!!]

[Whoa! Holy mother of... has anyone noticed that all these big shots are seated on the bride's side? Does this mean that Dr. Oracle, Master Fenmore, and Mr. Bright's boss are all the same person? And that person is Miss Gonzales!!!]

[The user above has figured it out! That's right, our Miss Gonzales is just that incredible.]

[Legendary!]

[Miss Gonzales, you're really something!]

[No wonder so many roads were blocked off today.]

[The people who were mocking Master Ninth and Miss Gonzales's wedding for

being overshadowed must feel pretty stupid right now!]

[Master Ninth really married up this time.]

[It's not just the bride's family that's amazing, the groom's side is stacked too! Did you guys notice?

The military leaders from ex

Kronos Sector are sitting at the outer tables on the groom's side!]

[Is that the president of The Nordan Republic?]

[The groom's relatives are all major players too! The kind of people we usually only see on TV. This is a union of titans.]

[I have nothing more to say. I wish Master Ninth and Miss Gonzales a long and happy life, and may they have children soon! Eight of them at once!]

--

After the entire wedding ceremony was over Caitlin felt like she was about to fall apart from exhaustion. As soon as she got to their room, shë removed her makeup and took a shower.

By the time Gordon came in, Caitlin had changed into a red silk nightgown and was just stepping out of the bathroom.

The silk was somewhat sheer, hiding almost nothing, making her skin look even more like porcelain. It created a hazy, alluring beauty of things half-seen.

One look was all it took for Gordon to feel his tipsiness fade, replaced by a dryness in his throat. He tugged at his tie. "Catie."

Caitlin sat on the bed, applying hand cream as she looked up at him. "What is..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she was pushed down onto the bed.

Clothes scattered across the floor.

Click.

The lights were switched off.

About fifteen minutes later, Gordon suddenly paused, his hands braced on either side of Caitlin, his voice strained. "Boss... you... you and Julian Chandler... you two..."

"That's right," Caitlin reached up,

wrapping her arms around his.neck

and kissing the corner of his mouth

in ever had a marriage in name only."

darkness. "Julian and Konly