The courtroom felt like a arena of hostility, tensions crackling thick in the air. On one side sat Chloe and her vernomous family legal team, radiating icy disdain. Opposite them, the regal elderly woman named Granny Daphne held court imperiously, clearly not one to be trifled with.
And in the middle, Lily sat sandwiched between James and the attorney he'd hired to represent them - looking every bit the proverbial fish out of water."Your Honor, this entire situation is a despicable sham concocted by that girl and my grandson," Granny Daphne declared in ringing tones, taking the floor first. "But make no mistake, their marriage vows were very much legally binding."She turned to fix Lily with a withering look. "Despite Miss Walker's...compromised state at the time, I can vouch that my grandson acted with full capacities. He upheld the letter of the law to a conditional wife, even under suspect circumstances."Lily felt herself shrink slightly in her seat as murmurs rippled through the courtroom gallery. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see flashes from camera phones belonging to what looked like tabloid reporters, no doubt lapping up every sordid detail.James gave her hand a reassuring squeeze under the table. "Eyes front, my dear. Let's give them a show, shall we?"Nodding faintly, Lily lifted her chin as the Adams family attorney rose, looking like a snake preparing to strike."Your Honor, surely you can see the absurdity of these claims," the lawyer sneered, gesturing toward James and Lily as if they were something unpleasant he'd stepped in. "That this is nothing more than a publicity stunt conducted by a drunk, opportunistic woman and her put-upon, embarrassed husband!"Heckling shouts echoed through the gallery as he continued his fiery denunciation. "Even deigning to honor such contemptible circumstances with formal court proceedings is frankly degrading to this institution.""Burn, witch!" came a sudden shout from the back, making everyone's heads whip around. Because shambling through the courtroom entrance, disheveled and red-faced, was none other than Ryan Collins.Lily felt her stomach drop clear out as her cheating ex-fiance locked eyes with her. There was a triumphant gleam in his bleary gaze, like a hunter who'd finally sighted his prey."Ladies and gentlemen of this upstanding court!" Ryan called out, words already devolving into a slur. "That hussy you see sittin' up there pretendin' at being a wife? She's nothin' more than a two-bit sl*t!"Affronted gasps broke out amid the spectators as Ryan staggered ever closer to the front, leering at Lily with naked resentment in his eyes."Your Honor, please get this drunken fool out of my courtroom before I have him held in contempt," the Adams lawyer spat, but Ryan barreled on unchecked."We were just a week away from marriage when this little schemer went off and pulled her self-destructive stunt," he seethed, stabbing an accusing finger at Lily. "I tried to reign her in after I made one little mistake, but no - marrying a billionaire she trapped into bed was more important to her than me!"With every toxically misogynistic phrase Ryan spewed, Lily felt herself shrinking further into her seat like a turtle withdrawing into its shell. How had this all spiraled so unimaginably out of control in just a matter of days? One minute she was a promising young professional - the next she was international tabloid fodder being raked across the coals.A calloused hand slipped over hers under the table, giving it a firm, grounding squeeze. Her head whipped around to find James' hazel eyes boring into her with an intensity that made her breath catch."Don't you dare let his deranged ramblings get to you," he murmured in a tone that brooked no argument. "This pathetic excuse for a man has no power over you - not anymore."He leaned in closer until she could feel the warmth of his lips against her ear. "Just watch, and learn exactly what happens when someone tries to shame my wife..."James was on his feet in an instant, his authoritative presence seeming to amplify and command the room as all eyes turned toward him."Enough of this embarrassing display," he announced in clarion, disgusted tones. "I'll thank you to cease defaming my wife in such vulgar, derogatory terms before I put this entire courtroom on notice for your vile transgressions."Ryan sputtered indignantly, face going beet red. "Your WIFE? You can't be serious, Watson, this hot mess isn't fit to be-"In two long strides, James crossed the space between them and seized Ryan by the lapels, cutting off the rest of his sentence by lifting him clear off the ground with dizzying ease - drawing a startled gasp from the gallery."No, YOU listen to ME very carefully," he growled in a rumble so low and deadly it seemed to reverberate through Lily's very core. "You'll show my wife the respect she deserves at all times from this point forward, or so help me god-"He slammed Ryan against the wall, pinning him there with an iron grip. Their faces were mere incheapart as James uttered his next words in a tone of steely, vicious calm."I will make you regret the day you ever disrespected the woman carrying my name."With that, he brusquely discarded Ryan like a piece of crumpled paper, allowing the man to cower in a miserable heap on the floor as he stalked back to his seat.Lily stared at her husband in a mixture of awe and incredulous disbelief at what she'd just witnessed. This wasn't the first time James Watson had left her utterly breathless...but she had a feeling it wouldn't be the last either. what she felt was knew and she somehow loved itThroughout it all, the no-nonsense judge looked completely nonplussed by the proceedings - as if dramatic, high society outbursts like these were par for the course."Now that the theatrics are out of everyone's system," he said in a bland tone, gesturing for everyone to retake their seats, "I believe we have ample evidence that the Watson marriage in question is indeed legally binding, regardless of the...unorthodox circumstances."Chloe and her family appeared ready to detonate a cursed blood vessel at any moment hearing this. But when the stoic judge turned to Lily with an arched eyebrow, she instinctively straightened in her seat under his scrutinizing gaze."Mrs. Watson, you understand that in light of these findings, anything said or decided here today extends the full accountabilities of legal wifehood in perpetuity?"She felt James discreetly weave their fingers together under the table, squeezing gently in tacit reassurance. A soft smile tugged at the corners of Lily's mouth as she met the judge's gravely serious expression."I do, Your Honor," she replied in a clear, confident tone. "I understand completely."As finality rang through the courtroom in those words, Lily felt herself straightening even taller, a renewed sense of self-possession flooding through her veins.Whatever madness the name "Watson" had brought into her life so far...she knew now without a shadow of a doubt that she wouldn't have it any other way.She was all in on this unconventional marriage, no matter how many battles high society tried throwing their way.Chapter 6As the decide's final ruling echoed thru the demanding court docket, Lily felt a regular experience of clear up wash over her. She became now legally bound to this enigmatic billionaire, James Watson, whether or not or not she had intended it or now not. And irrespective of the swirling vortex of chaos surrounding them, she discovered herself oddly comforted by way of the use of his steadfast presence.When the choose officially adjourned the hearing, Chloe and her circle of relatives stormed out in a huff, spewing venomous glares at Lily and James as they went. Lily couldn't help however turn away slightly under their scalding animosity. This became a ways from over.Once the court had cleared out, keep for the few lingering journalists, James located a reassuring hand at the small of Lily's once more. "Well, that changed into in fact an eventful first day as Mrs. Watson, could now not you are saying?" he murmured with a rueful snigger.Lily glanced up at him, forehead crea
Chapter 7 The following couple of days had been a whirlwind for Lily as she juggled her father's fitness crisis and the developing media frenzy surrounding her surprising marriage to James Watson. After the dramatic showdown within the court docket, Lily had again to the clinic with a renewed experience of desire, buoyed by using James' swift movement in bringing within the renowned Dr. Callahan to take over her father's care. Michael Walker's condition had stabilized, and the outstanding cardiac physician had assured the own family that he turned into carefully constructive approximately Michael's possibilities for recuperation. But Lily's respite from the chaos was quick-lived. As soon as information on the Watson marriage and Ryan's downfall hit the headlines, the vultures descended in full pressure. Paparazzi camped out relentlessly in the hospital, snapping photographs and shouting invasive questions any time Lily stepped outside. The tabloid headlines had been a never-ending
Chapter 8 After James had rushed off to tend to his grandmother, Lily found herself alone in the health center room, the load of the whole lot pressing down on her. Her father's precarious fitness, the constant media scrutiny, Chloe's vicious blackmail scheme - it became all an excessive amount to undergo. Lily glanced at her father's slumbering form, his face gaunt and light, and felt her coronary heart clench. She reached out and lightly squeezed his hand, silently inclined him to pull via. "I'm so sorry, Dad," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I never meant for any of this to happen." She sat again in her chair, trying to accumulate her mind. Chloe's chilling words echoed in her thoughts, the chance of her "sordid past" being exposed sending a kick back down Lily's backbone. Whatever skeletons had been in her closet, Chloe decided to use them against her. Lily's thoughts raced, seeking to figure out a way to cope with this modern crisis. She could not maintain mendacity
Chapter 9Lily took a deep breath as she strode out of the hospital, her thoughts racing with the sports that had simply unfolded. Chloe's despicable threats weighed heavily on her, but she knew that she had to put an end to this as soon as all.she was filled with tension throughout the ride to the press conference. So many things ran through her mind. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing or not, but she knew that she had to do something.As she stepped out of the car, she ended up greeted by a swarm of newshounds and paparazzi, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust in her face. Squaring her shoulders, Lily raised a hand to quiet the cacophony."Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here in recent times," she said, her voice clean and constant. "I recognize there has been plenty of hypothesis and rumor surrounding my marriage to James Watson, and I'm right here to set the document immediately."She paused, collecting her thoughts. "It's real that our wedding c
Chapter 10The medical institution room turned deathly silent, keeping for the consistent beep of the machines tracking Granny Daphne's vitals. James sat beside her bed, his forehead furrowed with worry as he watched the upward push and fall of her chest.When the decision was available Daphne's crumbled, his coronary heart had almost stopped. She turned into the one consistent in his existence, the unwavering pillar of assistance that was visible to him through even the darkest of instances. The thought of dropping her turned into a pain he couldn't even start to fathom.But as he sat there, keeping vigil by way of her aspect, his mind stored drifting again to Lily. Maggie's frantic telephone name had sent him into a tailspin, his belly knotting with fear at the thought of Lily going through Chloe by myself.He must be there, along with her, shielding her from the vicious schemes of the Adams circle of relatives. Not here, powerless to do something but wait.A tender groan from the m
Chapter ElevenThe search for Lily felt relentless, with every passing hour most effectively heightening the feeling of dread that gripped James and Maggie. They had scoured the town, following each possible lead, however thus far there had been no signal of her.As they sat in a quiet corner of the health facility cafeteria, nursing cups of coffee, the exhaustion turned etched into every line on their faces."Any phrase from the police?" James requested, his voice weary.Maggie shook her head, blinking back tears. "Nothing new. They're even though looking the river, however..." Her voice trailed off, the unstated phrases putting heavily between them.James reached through the desk, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We cannot lose now, Maggie. Lily is a fighter - she's not going to surrender that without trouble."Maggie managed a watery smile. "I apprehend. It's in reality...This entire state of affairs is so messed up. If handiest I had attempted more difficult to prevent her...""
Chapter 12The riverbank changed into a flurry of interest as James, Maggie, and Louis arrived at the scene. Police officials and seek teams had been combing the place, their faces etched with grim dedication."Over here!" one of the officers shouted out, waving them over. "We found the vehicle, however, there is no signal for Lily ."James felt his heart sink as he approached the mangled stays of Lily's car, half submerged inside the murky waters of the river. He swallowed tough, pushing down the wave of worry that threatened to crush him."Have you searched the encircling vicinity?" he requested, his voice strained.The officer nodded. "Teams have been scouring the riverbanks and the water itself, however so far, there is been no hint of her."Maggie let out a choked sob, and Louis located a comforting hand on her shoulder."We'll locate her, Maggie," he stated, his voice low and soothing. "Lily's a fighter. She's not going to surrender that easily."Maggie nodded, swiping on the te
Chapter 13The first rays of sunrise had been just peeking over the horizon while James wakened, his thoughts already humming with willpower. He dressed quick, his actions fueled by a feeling of urgency that had turned out to be his consistent accomplice.As he made his way down to the hotel foyer, he was amazed to locate Daphne seated in one of the plush armchairs, her expression one among concerned resolve."Granny?" James said, his brow furrowing in the situation. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."Daphne waved a dismissive hand, her eyes sharp and centered. "Nonsense, my boy. I could not thoroughly sit down idly using even as my circle of relatives is in crisis."James opened his mouth to protest, but Daphne cut him off with a stern look."Don't even think about seeking to ship me away, James," she stated, her tone brooking no argument. "I may be antique, however I'm a long way from feeble. Lily is like a granddaughter to me, and I'll be damned if I do not do the wh