The Famous Painter Is The CEO's Wife Chapter 239 A Father's Horror

October 23, 20XX (Wednesday)
Zhao Manor

Jerome Bonaparte clenched his fist in nervousness. He admits that he had not been the best father to his children, but his duty called for his undivided attention. Jerome knew that ending Arcadia would also mean safety to his children's life and the next generation after. It was horror that they have to marry with the weight of the remains of the group on their shoulders. The thought of his children's future was what kept him going after years and years of running around, spying, and being undercover as a painter. In fact, he had done it, so days like this would be peaceful. It seems that he had failed again.
The unused father briefly looked down at his daughter's side profile and immediately thought of his wife. Mei Lin looked so much like Mu Lan that it almost hurt him to stare at her when she smiled because of their likeness.
"I am sorry for yesterday," Mei Lin's soft and gentle voice that she inherited from Jerome's Italian mother interrupted his thoughts like a sharp knife.
"No, I should be the one apologizing for all the things that I did and for all the things that I should have done but didn't," Jerome said as his free right hand covered Mei Lin's right hand on his left arm. He was in awe as Mei Lin smiled but felt sad again as he remembered his late wife. She should be the one with their children instead. If only death could allow the living a single day, even an hour, with the dead, Jerome would offer anything for his wife to be present this day.
Jerome watched as the children that Mei Lin planned to adopt slowly entered the banquet hall while executing their tasks with a broad smile. Seeing Mei Lin starting to grow nervous, Jerome caressed her back. She looked at him with wide eyes in surprise at first, but then it morphed into gratefulness.
Jerome leaned to the side of her ears and whispered, "Your mother was nervous when we eloped too. I could not understand how she could be a feared government agent but still afraid to face a crowd of businessmen and their families."
"Did she really?" Mei Lin grinned; she liked hearing stories of the past where she wasn't born yet especially stories of her late mother that died to protect her. She was her hero; fallen, but will always remain a hero.
Jerome nodded with a broad grin that almost destroyed the mask that he wore. When the large banquet hall opened, Jerome and Mei Lin began to walk the red carpet towards the center. The Banquet Hall in Zhao Manor was decorated, lavishly, that it smelled so strong with flowers. All guests' head turned to them. Mei Lin's hand in his arm tightened signaling how awkward and tensed she was with the eyes that followed their walk to the front.
Once arriving, Jerome handed Mei Lin's right hand to Yang's waiting left hand after shaking hands with the young CEO. Jerome was entertained when his son could be seen glaring at him at the side. As the ceremony started, Jerome Bonaparte did not concentrate on their vows and their kiss but at the guards. Acting like an old man, he excused himself citing a reason about his weary old bones. Jerome made sure that Mei Lin saw him step out, so he could avoid her anger like before. She nodded slightly at him, making Jerome hurry to the place where he could see everything.

Arriving on the secret room of the Banquet Hall, Jerome asked his agent turn friend, "Did you doc.u.ment everyone in attendance?"
Elizar snorted, "I am not a novice. I made sure every face is doc.u.mented and sent to Wu Tian Li as you instructed."
Jerome peered below to see the event taking place while Elizar's eyes were glued on the monitors looking for any disturbance. Elizar's eyes s.h.i.+fted towards Jerome and cautiously remarked, "It is amazing how easily you can work with your late wife's ex-fiance."
"Wu Tian Li and Mu Lan were engaged without their consent. Mu Lan's heart was mine and no one else's," Jerome stated while playing with a long range gun, ready to strike any moment. Elizar wanted to retort more but refrained himself because the ceremony ended and the event will now proceed on the back garden for the food.
Every guard was watchful and mindful of everyone. Even the waiters that were in attendance were trained in martial arts and defense. Yang led Mei Lin to the garden as everyone else followed after them with congratulations pa.s.sing their lips. Graciously, the newlyweds accepted every happy greeting with a smile.
Jerome and Elizar s.h.i.+fted into the personas of their disguise, one an old man and another a charming middle-aged waiter. They maneuvered into their positions, bypa.s.sing people quick and fast. They were in easy access to Mei Lin, and Yang's defense in case anything happens when people greet them.
Businessmen, women, and children offered the newlyweds glad tidings of the union. Mei Lin had to plaster a smile because Yang merely nodded without care. One by one, the people surrounding them settle down into their seats and only a few people left.
Suddenly, Yang's body beside her stiffened. Mei Lin almost turned to him to ask if not for the foreigner that went up to them with a lady on his arm. Mei Lin remembered the lady to be the daughter of one of the prominent family in Beijing.
"Congratulations!"
Mei Lin stared at the foreign man with obviously dyed black hair. She muttered, "You are familiar."
Yang stiff body became frozen as his hand at the back signaled to the guards to prepare themselves. Seeing the cue from the guards, Jerome and Elizar began to move closer.
David asked with a smile, "You remember me?"
Mei Lin pondered, "I think I have already met you..."