“W-What…?!” Julian’s jaw dropped. He turned pale as if he had seen death. His legs began to tremble until he was clutching the chair.
“My name is not Lando, Julian,” the man said coldly, now looking like an angry king standing at the altar. “I am Gabriel Imperial. The CEO and Founder of Imperial Conglomerate —the very company you are now begging to give you a fifty billion peso investment to save your failing business.”
The Truth That Broke the Billionaire
Reporters shouted and cameras flashed. The billionaire guests were in a frenzy, unable to believe that the man they had been laughing at was the richest man in the entire country.
“M-Mr. Imperial?!” Julian stammered, shivering, cold sweat dripping down his face. “W-How… why did you pretend to be a beggar on the street?!”
“Because I know about your dirty game, Julian,” Gabriel thundered back, shaking the cathedral. He pulled a black flash drive from his tattered suit and held it up for all to see. “I received an anonymous tip about your illegal activities in the stock market. I posed as a beggar outside your office and mansion for three months to collect all the evidence of your theft and money laundering.”
“That’s a lie! That’s AI!” Julian shouted in panic, about to run out of the church.
“Lock the doors!” Gabriel ordered.
From the church doors, dozens of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in uniform and armed with guns entered. They blocked all exits.
“This flash drive contains all the evidence!” Gabriel boldly announced. “It includes evidence of how you sabotaged Clara’s father’s company, which led to her death, and how you stole your investors’ money!”
Julian collapsed on the church floor. The man he thought he would use to humiliate me was the very man who had ruined all his evil. He was crying and begging as the NBI agents mercilessly handcuffed him.
« Mr. Imperial! It’s like you’re taking pity on me! I’ll take you as my partner! Clara! Please ask him, we were together before! » Julian cried out as he was dragged out of the cathedral in front of the screaming guests and flashing cameras.
I felt no pity. I just watched him disappear from my sight. The man who destroyed my family was completely destroyed.
The True Oath
When the cathedral fell silent, Gabriel faced me. Even though he was still wearing a faded and old suit, to me, he was the most handsome and gentlemanly man in the world.
He took my trembling hands.
“Clara,” he whispered softly, his eyes full of respect and sincerity. “I have been watching you for a long time while I was on the road. I have seen your hard work, kindness, and sacrifice for your family. My mission to save the business from greedy people like Julian is complete. I have also had my staff explain the entire operation on your mother at the best hospital this morning.”
My tears fell, not from pain, but from immense happiness and gratitude. “T-Thank you… Mr. Imperial.”
“Gabriel, come on,” she smiled. She slowly knelt on one leg in front of the altar. “I don’t know if you still believe in love after what happened… but can I continue this marriage, not as a punishment, but as the beginning of a lifetime of protection and love?”
My tears flowed and I smiled so sweetly. Amidst the applause and screams of the guests who had earlier been laughing at us, he kissed my hand. That was not the day of my shame. That was the beginning of a love that began with the darkest disguise and ended with a very bright truth.
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