This time, I didn't stop him, but asked softly, "Darrick, where are you going? The wedding is about to begin."
Without looking back, he hastily stripped off his tuxedo jacket and tossed it to the floor as he explained, "My friend's in trouble. She has no family here. I need to go check on her."
My expression remained calm as I pulled out my phone and opened the message.
“A friend? Is it Myra Shields?” I asked, sounding annoyed. “She just messaged me, betting that you'd leave today.”
“If she's a friend, just send the butler to check on her. You should stay.”
The moment the words left my mouth, the room erupted.
"Myra Shields is Mr. Calderon’s secretary, right? I've heard she wields power in the company rivaling President Darrick himself. If it weren't for her embezzling company funds, the Calderon Family wouldn't have nearly gone bankrupt."
"The Graham Family is the wealthiest in Bridgit's elite circles and Miss Graham offered three hundred million to salvage the situation—how could he be so ungrateful? What could an outside woman possibly offer that's better than Miss Graham?"
"If Darrick leaves, how will the Graham Family ever hold their heads high in this circle? Isn't this an insult to Miss Graham? Having her husband snatched away at her own wedding—who knows what trouble she'll stir up next!"
"Secretary? More like a mistress! Haven't you forgotten? Darrick's college girlfriend was also surnamed Shields..."
The murmurs grew louder and Darrick's expression darkened.
"Stop being unreasonable. This concerns life. I'll explain everything when I return."
He grabbed the keys to his Maybach and turned to leave.
I suddenly smiled.
"Life-and-death matters are for doctors to handle. You're neither a doctor nor a God—will your presence make her illness disappear?"
"Darrick, I spent three hundred million to bail out the Calderon Family. Now you want to leave? Are you trying to insult me in front of everyone?"
I smiled faintly and turned to sit down. "You can leave if you wish, but consider the consequences."
"How the Calderon Family will conduct its business going forward... It's truly a headache to contemplate."
I pretended to be troubled, rubbing my temples, though my words carried no hint of difficulty.
The guests present felt even more sympathy for me upon hearing this.