"I oppose this marriage because the bride is still married to me".
The hall was filled with gasps and whispers, some took out the phone make a video.
"I would like if you all put your phone down" the priest said politely as he tried to understand the situation.
Xander took a brief glance at the audience and his eyes landed on his little girl who was held down by her grandmother. The older woman covered the girl's mouth so hee sobs won't be heard by anyone. He also saw Randy who sat in the crowd with everyone. Even though she didn't know what he planned, she trusted him to make it pleasant to watch while she enjoyed the snack and wine they offered.
When the priest noticed the phones were down he continued. "Young man can you explain better?" he said.
"Yes, Mr. Cage, I think there is a misunderstanding, what are you saying?" Mike added and Xander chuckled lowly.
"I assume, they didn't tell you anything and left you in the dark even on your own wedding day. No worries, I would tell you" Xander said and took a step closer so that he can stand in alignment with the couple.
"I'm the nameless, poor ex husband she talked about" he said and turned to Mike so he can get the front seat visual of his expression. Dumbfounded. Better than he expected.
"What? Hermia, What is he saying, is it true?" Mike said sternly to her.
Her facade was close to breaking because of the man standing next to her. There wasn't anything to hide again.
"Yes, it's true!" she answered back furiously as she was so tried of him trying to put her in her place. She turned angrily to her ex-husband. "You happy? He knows now, can you leave so we can get on with the wedding". Her breath came out forcefully as rage and hatred flood her veins.
"See this, I like you more this way but I'm not quite satisfied" the new chairman said and smirked.
"What else do you want? We are already divorced or do you want a share of my wealth?" Hermia asked and held her hip with one of her hands as the other held onto the bouquet of flowers.
"I would hold you up on that and you say we are divorced" he said and held his chin with his thumb and index finger. "I don't remember signing any divorce paper and I clearly remember that I refused to sign it if I don't get custody of my daughter so enlighten me when did I sign the document?" he crossed his hands over his chest as he waited for her next lie.
"You came into my family alone so you are to leave alone" she stated
"Stop diverting, we made it known that I was poor and helpless no need to bring that up, now tell me when I signed the divorce paper. Don't tell me you drugged me and made me sign it" Xander said suggestively giving her a opening to state her lie.
"Hermia, Is that true?" Mike asked, trying his best to keel his calm.
"Darling, don't believe everything he says, I told you before my ex husband is a drama queen" Hermia said to her husband to be and took his hand in hers.
"Wow, I'm a drama queen, noted but explain this" Xander said and brought out a folded paper from his pocket. He opened the paper and showed it to them. "I said explain this!" he screamed at her face, pointing to the space covered by his fingerprint instead of his signature.
Hermia looked at it and tensed up, this did not go unnoticed by her fiance. Mike squinted his eyes to look at the paper that boldly stated divorce letter as the heading. His eyes widen at what he saw.
"Cat got your tongue now?" Xander said with as victory overtook his lips. The whispers among the others increased as some guest starts to leave. The paper was collected from him by the priest who examined it too.
Luckily for them, he was from Mike's family and was neutral in this situation. He was the only one trying to curb the situation from escalating. He noticed the guests' phones out again, they no longer hide that they were video recording what was happening.
"Can we take this inside, we don't want make everything worse" Priest said calmly and waited for their respond.
The couple turned to Xander who shrugged and signaled them to lead the way. They were led to an empty room by the priest. The room was like a small palour as it had couchs and sofa but nobody was ready to. I that case, the priest found himself a seat so they could continue the discussion in a very civilized manner.
"Hermia, can you explain why it's a fingerprint instead of a signature on the paper" the priest asked this time.
"I don't know why it's like that" Hermia answered
"I also tried to come up with a reason and could only come up with the thought that it was done while I was unconscious after I was beaten up and sent to jail" Xander said and sat on the handle of a couch.
"You were only in police custody" Hermia clarified and only realise too later that she had revealed herself.
"Hermia, for the last time, did you or did you not do it" Mike asked in a threatening tone that scared the bride.
"It wasn't me, it was Uncle Felix idea" Hermia confessed
"And it was your marriage, well that's the past and I'm here about the future" Xander said dusted the shoulder blade of his tuxedo before continuing. "I'm pressing charges"
"What you can't do that" Hermia stated
"Don't forget, I am rich now and there is a huge gap between us" the new chairman said as if to say "Am I making myself clear?"
"Is there a way to stop you from pressing charge because what you are about to do would tarnish our image" Mike said and sighed. He looked at his bride and turned back Xander.
"Yes, there is, I would drop all charge once I have custody of my daughter" he said and stood up.
"Give us time to think she is the successor to our company" Mike tried reasoning with him.
"You can think in jail as the police are already here to take the criminal" Xander said, looking at his phone. He looked at them to see expression. It was priceless.
Hermia was about to refute but was interrupted as the door opened and police rushed in to handcuff the criminal, Hermia.