The Abandoned Bride's Flash Marriage - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Clearly, Harrison thought highly of Gwyneth's mother. Quentin choked at his attitude and stammered, "O-Of course she deserves it! I'll handle it right away."
"Quentin, you—" Diana began.
"Shut up! Mr. Lopez's right. That's his mother-in-law; she deserves it. We're family," Quentin roared at Diana.
Diana was so furious that she clutched her chest and nearly passed out. Melanie was equally upset, pushing her plate away and storming off while supporting her mother.
With their goal achieved, Gwyneth and Harrison finished their meal in calm silence.
That evening, Quentin tried to persuade them to stay overnight. Harrison held Gwyneth's hand affectionately. "Sorry, we have plans."
Quentin could only watch helplessly as they walked away.
On the way home, Gwyneth turned to Harrison with a serious expression. "Thanks for today, Mr. Lopez. I owe you one. If you ever need me, just let me know."
Harrison casually fiddled with his cufflinks, his tone tinged with faint amusement. "Keeping score now?"
Gwyneth knew better than to try to read his moods—they were as unpredictable as the weather. She chose her words carefully. "Your help today meant a lot. Maybe it was just about protecting the Lopez family's reputation, but I'm genuinely grateful. No hidden agendas."
'What have I said wrong this time? Well, never mind. He's like a walking storm—unpredictable and moody. Better not expect too much just because he's been gentle for a few days,' she thought.
Back at the apartment, Gwyneth sank into the couch. Since Quentin had agreed to hang her mother's photo, she knew she needed to act fast. After all, opportunities were fleeting.
After a moment's thought, she grabbed her phone and texted Quentin. She'd hang her mother's photo in the memorial hall in two days.
Quentin didn't reply, but Gwyneth wasn't surprised. She just arranged for an astrologer and a band. She wanted the memorial service to be so grand that it would leave Diana green with envy.
Two days later, Gwyneth arrived at the memorial hall with a small group in tow. As expected, Quentin and several of the Jenkins family elders were already there.
Diana, who usually exuded gentleness, stood among the crowd and said, "She was Quentin's wife; of course we'd never deliberately exclude her. It's just that the astrologer we consulted said today's energy is not conducive to displaying—"
"Today's energy is not conducive?" Gwyneth's heels clicked sharply as she approached, drawing everyone's attention.
She stopped a few feet from Diana and smiled sweetly, "Did the astrologer really say that? Or are you just worried that my mother's photo will take the place that you think should be yours?"
The words hit Diana like a punch, and her face drained of color.
Quentin stepped forward, trying to smooth things over. "Gwyneth, that's not fair. Of course it was the astrologer—"
"Who really matters here?" Gwyneth cut him off sharply. "The astrologer, or Harrison Lopez? If the Lopez family loses trust in us over this, well, everyone's fortune might take a turn for the worse."
Quentin felt a chill run down his spine. The other relatives snapped back to reality. A partnership with the Lopez family was a golden opportunity, and they couldn't afford to lose it.
"Gwyneth, that's not what we meant. Your father's no fool, pushing Harrison away," one of them said quickly.
"Yeah, Quentin, better not go back on your word," another chimed in.
"I think Gwyneth chose the perfect day," someone else added.
The Jenkins family valued their prestige above all else. They couldn't afford to lose Harrison, their ticket to wealth. Now they were all turning on Quentin.
Under the weight of public pressure, Quentin and Diana had no choice but to give in. Quentin shot Gwyneth a venomous look before waving his hand. "Fine! Get in already."
Diana's face turned ashen. But with everyone watching, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and bite back her anger.
Gwyneth ignored the murmurs and walked straight into the memorial hall, her mother's photo held high and proud. She'd funded the ceremony and worked tirelessly to make it happen. The rest of the family lingered outside, watching the whole ceremony.
Tears pricked at the corners of Gwyneth's eyes as she stepped inside, clutching her mother's photo tightly. "Mom... I'm going to make your dreams come true," she whispered. "You gave everything to this family. Your name deserves to be here."
Diana's eyes blazed with malice. Just as Gwyneth was about to cross the threshold, Diana lunged forward. "Wait!"
Gwyneth froze. The sound of bells jingled behind her. She turned to see a cloaked astrologer blocking the doorway, shaking a bell ominously. "The astral forces are not in your favor today. Seek another day when the stars are kinder."
"Isn't that the astrologer?" someone muttered. The crowd turned to look.
Gwyneth's brow furrowed. This guy didn't seem like an astrologer to her—astrologers rarely used bells.
Before she could speak, two elderly relatives stepped forward, their eyes softening as they looked at Diana.
"If the astrologer says it's not a good day for this, we should listen."
"Diana was right to stop this. What if the alignment of the heavens is against us and brings bad luck? Our family's future could be at risk!"
Gwyneth recognized them. These were Diana's puppets—bought off with gifts and favors. So it was no wonder they stood up for Diana. And Quentin stood silent, shrinking back.
"Funny," Gwyneth sneered. "Who saved this family when the business was on the brink? My 'unlucky' mom. Without her and her porcelain, you'd all be out on the streets, not standing here in your fancy suits."
"How dare you—" one of the men began, his face turning red.
"Careful," Gwyneth interrupted, her smile cold. "Wanna use 'bad luck' as an excuse to block my mother? What's to stop your own family from calling you the bad omen when you're old and frail? Don't you remember? Karma's a bitch."
The man fell silent and looked stumped, his eyes darting nervously toward his own family.
The Jenkins family's vast business empire had been passed down through generations. There was even a case where children had hurt their own parents to inherit early.
Everyone knew this dark history. So the elders' eyes sharpened as they didn't want to end like that. And with the elders staying silent, the younger generation didn't dare say anything about this.
Gwyneth tried to move forward again, but Diana stubbornly blocked her way. "The astral forces are not in your favor now. If your mother forces her way in now, do you think she'll rest in peace?"
'What a persistent pest!' Gwyneth was growing more and more annoyed and was about to push her aside.
Right then, Harrison's deep voice cut through the tension. "My mother-in-law died long ago. By now, she's surely resting in peace."
He wrapped a protective arm around Gwyneth's shoulders, his piercing gaze fixed on Diana. "You living folks should worry about karma. Keep this up, and you'll face the consequences yourself. Don't you fear retribution for your actions?"