Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

”Ethan Ellsworth, do you take Chloe Marshall to be your wife, to live together in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible, to become one flesh with her before God, to love her, comfort her, honor and protect her, as you love yourself? Whether she is sick or in health, rich or poor, will you remain faithful to her, until death do you part?”

The pastor had barely finished speaking when Ethan Ellsworth answered impatiently, ”Of course, I do!”

The guests below were amused by his overeagerness, and even the pastor couldn’t help but smile.

”And Chloe Marshall, do you take Ethan Ellsworth to be your husband, to live together in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible, to become one flesh with him before God, to love him, comfort him, honor and protect him, as you love yourself? Whether he is sick or in health, rich or poor, will you remain faithful to him, until death do you part?”

”I do,” Chloe Marshall replied, looking at Ethan Ellsworth.

The pastor continued, ”Now, you will exchange rings, the tokens of your marriage. The rings are gold, symbolizing that you are giving your most precious love to each other, like the most precious of gifts. Gold never rusts and never fades, representing that your love will endure for all eternity. They are round, representing no reservations, a love with a beginning but no end. A love that will never be broken.”

Ethan Ellsworth carefully placed the ring on her finger, and Chloe Marshall did the same for him.

Then came the part for their personal vows.

The two stood face to face, looking into each other’s eyes.

Ethan Ellsworth spoke first. ”I, Ethan Ellsworth, take you, Chloe Marshall, to be my wife. With the most sincere joy, I welcome you into my life, that we may become one. I will be a husband who loves you and is faithful to you. I will care for you and help you. I promise to love you with the deepest love, to care for you with my whole heart, and to look after you with the utmost tenderness. I promise that you will always be the most important person in my life. I promise to lead our life together into one filled with faith, hope, and love. Whether what lies ahead is smooth sailing or perilous storms, let us grow old together. On this sacred day of our marriage, before all who are gathered here, I make this promise to you: I will forever be your loving and faithful husband.”

Chloe Marshall spoke next. ”I, Chloe Marshall, take you, Ethan Ellsworth, to be my husband. Being with you might not always be easy, but every day is filled with joy. You’re a good man, my rock, and a role model for our child. To have met you and fallen in love with you is the greatest blessing heaven has given me. Ethan, no matter what difficulties or obstacles lie ahead, I will never leave your side. Let’s support each other through thick and thin. On this sacred day of our marriage, before everyone here, I promise you: I will forever be your loving and faithful wife.”

Ethan Ellsworth swept her into his arms, and the pastor’s voice announced, ”Congratulations, you are now officially husband and wife.”

He lowered his head and gave her a dominant, passionate kiss that made the guests blush and their hearts race. Mrs. Ellsworth, a little bashful, nudged Mr. Ellsworth. ”Look how wild your son is. You should take some notes.”

Mr. Ellsworth leaned in silently toward his wife. ”Tonight, then.”

Mrs. Ellsworth’s face grew even redder.

Zoe Ellsworth sat behind her parents, a look of utter exasperation on her face. She had heard every word of their exchange.

She reached out, patted Mrs. Ellsworth on the shoulder, and leaned her head forward, startling her mother.

”What are you doing?”

”Mom, don’t forget to take a shower tonight.”

”Of course I will... You wretched girl...”

Zoe Ellsworth stood up. ”The ceremony’s over. Let’s go to the hotel.”

Herman Hawthorne followed close behind her. Just as she opened the driver’s side door, a rear door opened as well, and he slid inside.

Zoe Ellsworth looked back. ”Don’t you have your own car? Why do you have to ride in mine?”

”Your car smells nice. It’s drawn me in, and I can’t pull myself away.”

Zoe Ellsworth buckled her seatbelt. ”Fine. Since it’s my brother’s big day, I’ll give you a ride.”

Herman Hawthorne leaned back against the rear seat, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

”Zoe Ellsworth, do you know why fish can’t talk?”

Zoe Ellsworth gave him a speechless look. ”No.”

Herman Hawthorne said smugly, ”Because they’re in water, and you can’t talk in water. If you don’t believe me, try putting your head in a swimming pool.”

”Get lost! You go and show off some random trivia you found online. What, are you trying to bully me because I didn’t go to college?”

Herman Hawthorne looked awkward. ”Do you even know how to be gentle like a woman?”

”I don’t. If you do, why don’t you go get a sex change?”

Herman Hawthorne was left speechless.

Zoe Ellsworth saw his exasperated face in the rearview mirror and felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

The car soon arrived at the hotel for the reception—the largest hotel of the Alveria Group, a part of the Grant Group’s hotel chain.

Even with a discount, the cost was still exorbitant, far beyond what an average person could afford.

Chloe Marshall had been wearing high heels for so long that her ankles were aching. She hoped the toasting of the guests would end soon.

Ethan Ellsworth, however, was exceptionally happy and didn’t refuse a single toast. Herman Hawthorne had to step in and drink a lot of alcohol for him.

Quentin Grant drank little, prompting even Herman Hawthorne to comment that having a woman around to keep an eye on you really makes a difference.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Chloe Marshall finally got a free moment to sit down and have a few bites of food.

Just then, the hotel manager rushed in from the entrance and whispered a few words in Quentin Grant’s ear.

Quentin Grant’s expression changed instantly.

He immediately said to the others, ”Lillian Bancroft is here.”

Ethan Ellsworth and Chloe Marshall exchanged a look. Their expressions remained relatively calm.

Quentin Grant immediately gave the order to end the banquet, and the guests began to leave.

When only a few guests remained, Lillian stood at the entrance, flanked by bodyguards.

Quentin Grant gave the others a look, and the group slowly walked toward him.

Lillian also walked toward them.

The two parties came to a stop not far from the hall’s entrance.

”Mr. Bancroft, what a surprise. Had you given us a heads-up, we could have prepared for your arrival,” Quentin Grant said, a smile playing on his lips.

Lillian Bancroft’s gaze was fixed on Chloe Marshall, so obviously that everyone could see it.

Ethan Ellsworth remained composed, his arm around Chloe Marshall’s shoulders in a silent declaration of ownership.

Lillian spoke. ”I’m not here to crash the wedding. There’s no need for all this drama.”

Hearing this, the others relaxed.

There was a moment of silence in the air. Lillian Bancroft looked at Chloe Marshall and suddenly smiled. ”My dear, you’re married now. Even though it’s not to me, I’m still very happy for you. He must love you even more than I did, for you to be so devoted to him. What? Am I not even going to get a hug?”

He opened his arms, looking at her with a smile on his face.

Ethan Ellsworth’s hand loosened. Chloe Marshall stepped forward and hugged him. ”Silly.”

He closed his eyes. In that moment, the embrace brought a sense of contentment to his heart. ’Even if we can’t be together in this life, my heart will always belong to her.’

Dorothy Ellsworth came running over and hugged Lillian Bancroft’s leg. ”Daddy!”

He bent down and picked her up. ”Dorothy, I’m sorry.”