My Uncle Married Another Woman, So I Married His Rival

Chapter 5 He Protected Her Name

With Chloe's comfort, Serena gradually calmed down. She didn't return home until the redness in her face had faded.

The moment her parents saw her, they smiled warmly. "Rena, we found a very promising young man for you. He's about your age, successful in business, and has his life together. Would you like to meet him?"

Serena looked at the phone they handed her. The man in the photo was young and handsome, his features carrying a faint trace of familiarity.

Seeing her confusion, her mother laughed. "Don't remember him? He's the boy who used to chase after you in high school with love letters. Lucien caught him several times and scared him off, but he never gave up. In the end, his family sent him overseas just to make him stop. They say he's built a very successful company for himself and stays terribly busy. Yet he's remained single all these years. The moment he heard we were looking for someone for you, he contacted us right away. He's a good man."

Her parents spoke with lively enthusiasm, and Serena could not help smiling at the distant, almost surreal memory.

That timid boy who used to get bullied without ever fighting back had grown into someone like this?

Knowing that somewhere in this world there had once been someone who loved her with such earnest, awkward devotion, and who perhaps had never truly forgotten her, did not feel bad at all.

"He sounds busy, so there's no need for anything too formal. If you think he's a good match, then I trust your judgment. Set it for the earliest convenient date." She forced a small smile. "Besides, if I stay single forever, I'll only trouble Uncle Lucien and everyone else."

Her mother blinked. "When would you like it? They said they'll work around your schedule."

Serena lifted her eyes to the bright light beyond the window. "The same day as Uncle Lucien's wedding."

She paused, then smiled. "A double celebration sounds lovely."

She added the man on social media. His messages were polite, measured, and entirely appropriate. She replied a few times out of courtesy, then let the conversation fade.

That night, Serena dreamed of the small apartment where she had once lived with Lucien. Every corner still held traces of her, and every object carried memories of the life they had shared there.

When she woke, she stared blankly at the ceiling for a long while.

The apartment had always belonged to Lucien. Now that he was getting married, leaving pieces of her past behind there would only burden his future bride. It was time to take her things back while he was still not living there full-time.

She had gone alone during the day, quietly packing up everything that belonged to her: the old books on the shelf, the hair ties in the drawer, the faded Polaroids on the fridge, even the dead plant on the balcony.

Every trace of the life they had shared went carefully into a cardboard box. Just as she was about to leave, the keypad lock beeped and the door opened. Lucien stepped inside.

"So you really are here."

His expression was dark as he pulled out his phone, lit the screen, and thrust it toward her.

Social media was exploding with posts about the White Veil Atelier incident:

#VivianStoleMoreThanADress?

#WhiteVeilAtelierScandal:NieceSlappedinPublic?

The attached photos showed Vivian in the ill-fitting gown and Serena's pale side profile, the carefully chosen angles suggestive enough to fuel endless speculation.

The comments had already turned vicious.

A: [That dress clearly wasn't her size. Loose at the waist, tight at the shoulders. Why force it?]

B: [Vivian really stole both the dress and the man? Not a good look.]

C: [I heard the gown was custom-designed by the bride's best friend. This isn't stealing a dress. This is public humiliation.]

Public opinion had overwhelmingly sided with Serena.

After putting away his phone, Lucien spoke in a hard voice. "Rena, you've gone too far. Vivian did nothing wrong, yet she's suffering because of your selfishness. I want you to clear this up publicly. Immediately."

Serena lifted her chin. "Clear it up? You mean go online and admit I attacked her with scissors out of jealousy?"

"The truth doesn't matter," Lucien said coldly. "Your reputation is already ruined. One more stain won't make a difference. But Vivian is different. She cannot be linked to this."

Serena gave a short, icy laugh. "No. I don't owe you that."

Lucien's eyes darkened as he said, "The only source of that footage is the store's surveillance system. If you refuse to cooperate, I'll sue Chloe for defamation and for spreading false information. You decide what matters more."

Serena's lashes trembled, anger rising hot in her chest. "Lucien… you really are cruel."

She did not spare him another glance. Bending down, she picked up the heaviest box and walked past him without another word.

Lucien instinctively started after her, taking two quick steps, but stopped himself in the end and said nothing.

After reaching the trash disposal area, Serena set the box down and turned to face him.

"When is the press conference?" Her voice was flat. "Tell me what you need me to do, and I'll do it."