Chapter 869

The deliveryman asked, “You’re Ms. Janice Swanson, right?”

Janice nodded.

“Then I’m at the right place.” He handed her the food and hurried off.

Janice returned to her apartment, feeling strangely confused.

She opened the bag and found an appetizing set meal, still warm. Instinctively, she thought of Wade; he knew she was on her period.

As Janice frowned in thought, her phone suddenly vibrated. She flipped it on to see Chad’s WhatsApp text.

“Finish the food, and your pay won’t be cut.”

Janice could almost picture his slightly mocking expression as she read the words. She hadn’t expected Chad to notice that she was unwell, and her mood lifted a little.

She began typing “Thanks, Boss!” but hesitated. Wade’s recent words echoed in her mind, stirring suspicion. Did Chad have some ulterior motive?

A chill ran down her spine. Bewildered, she scratched her head before sending a probing message.

“Holy cow! You can’t possibly be interested in me, right?”

Chad’s reply came quickly in the form of a question mark.

Janice felt as though that single, emotionless question mark was a curse. Relieved, she backtracked. “It’s nothing. My cat typed the previous message.”

Chad shot back, “There’s something wrong with your head.”

Janice forced herself to let go of her spiraling thoughts. She refused to let Wade’s shadow linger over her emotions. Instead, she sat down and enjoyed the delicious meal Chad had ordered.

Wade had told Janice to wait for him, promising he would come over again. But he never did. She had known this would happen. Every time Alicia called him away, Wade promised to return, yet he never kept his word.

Back then, Janice always convinced herself that some pressing issue must have held up Wade.

But she had it all figured out now. Wade wouldn’t come unless a certain someone allowed it.

Fortunately, Janice hadn’t harbored any hope that he would drop by. Consequently, she felt neither annoyed nor particularly upset.

Since she had firmly resolved not to proceed with the marriage, it truly didn’t matter what actions Wade took at this point.

The next day, Janice stopped by the Swanson residence. Brianna Hargrave, one of the maids, reminded her that she had left her laptop at home. Janice went back to retrieve it.

Janice walked in to find the living room transformed–multiple wedding dresses were hung on display. Present alongside the gowns were Charles and Heidi, who hadn’t yet left Eldoria.

“Jan, come and try these dresses,” Nicholas called out.

Janice stiffened.

Charles grinned. “I called Wade. He’ll be here soon to help you choose.”

Janice felt cornered, her chest tightening with unease.

+25 Bonus

Heidi smiled kindly. “Both of your fathers want you and Wade to complete the marriage registration first. We told Wade just now. Once he arrives, you two can head to the city hall. The wedding is right around the corner anyway.”

Janice’s expression hardened. She hadn’t expected this.

Nicholas added, “The ceremony is just a formality. What matters most is the certificate.”

Grace, meanwhile, remained silent. Frankly, she preferred to hear Janice’s take on the arrangement first.

Janice clenched her fists. “I don’t think we need to do that yet…”

But her words were drowned out by the elders‘ lively discussion of wedding details.

She stood there, watching them plan a future she no longer wanted.

Ultimately, Wade never showed. He wasn’t there even when lunch was served.

Wade knew perfectly well that their families were meeting to finalize the marriage registration details, and that his absence would force Janice to handle the entire situation alone.

Regardless, he chose to leave the entire burden squarely on her shoulders.

Janice sighed deeply and walked to the dining table.

While everyone else was happily chatting away, she said, “I’m sorry.”

Everyone turned to Janice.

She continued, “This wedding won’t be happening.”

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Nicholas‘ expression darkened, while Charles visibly stiffened.

A fleeting, unreadable expression crossed Heidi’s eyes just as she took a slow sip of her tea. 2

“Jan?” Grace noticed Janice’s downturned mood, immediately getting up to walk to her side.

Janice heaved a deep breath and said, “Wade and I are over. He’s given his heart to someone else. I can’t possibly pretend to be oblivious and just put up with it. Mr. Garner, we should just call off the wedding.” 5