CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: REUNION AT THE WEDDING

June Winter almost didn’t react.

But when she understood Annelise Winter’s intentions, she instinctively clutched her chest.

"What do you mean your Peace Lock? Go look somewhere else!"

Annelise responded firmly, "The Peace Lock on your neck was a gift from Grandpa to me. He said before he passed, no matter if I’m a child of the Winter Family or not. No matter what happens in the future, this Peace Lock belongs solely to me."

This Peace Lock was an amulet from Grandpa, promising her a lifetime of peace.

She could give up everything else, but today she had to reclaim this Peace Lock.

She wanted to take this Peace Lock to Meridia and personally give it to her little Luna.

She wanted the Peace Lock to bless her daughter’s surgery for a safe and smooth outcome, peace throughout her life.

She hadn’t expected to see her Peace Lock hanging around June Winter’s neck today.

June begged her father for a long time before he sent it to her as a part of her dowry. How could she just hand it back to Annelise when she hadn’t even worn it long enough?

"This is something of the Winter Family! Annelise, do I need to remind you that you are no longer part of the Winter Family? Everything from the Winter Family is no longer related to you! I haven’t held you accountable for grounding my flights yet!"

"June Winter, do I need to recount your past deeds one by one for everyone to hear?"

June started to panic, "Have you committed fewer scandalous acts than I have?"

Annelise: "Indeed, but I have nothing to fear. You, on the other hand, are different."

"You!" June’s eyes turned red with anger, she held Chase’s sleeve and pouted, "Chase, don’t listen to Annelise’s lies. She’s trying to slander me!"

Chase stared at her solemnly, "Return the Peace Lock to Annelise."

June couldn’t believe Chase was protecting Annelise like this, "Chase, she was the one who gave me a grounding order, and not only do you not fire her, but you scold me at our wedding because of her! Don’t you know she already found someone else? Yesterday, I even saw her receive a bag worth tens of thousands!"

Chase warned her coldly to stop, "June Winter!"

Annelise didn’t intend to ruin the wedding atmosphere nor wanted to entangle more.

She still had to raise money and just wanted to end this quickly.

"Give me the Peace Lock, and I’ll leave immediately!"

"I won’t give it!"

She clearly wanted to embarrass Annelise at the wedding.

If Annelise took it at the wedding, how could June, the Winter Family’s eldest daughter, hold her reputation?

Annelise was about to reach out to grab it when there was a commotion at the door.

The Winter Family and Perry Family all moved to greet.

"Elias, you’re finally here!"

Colin Winter greeted him with a smile, trying to please.

Chase Perry’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his gaze fell not far behind Annelise, his voice dry.

"Brother!"

Annelise’s entire fighting spirit instantly collapsed.

Her boiling blood froze.

She was completely rigid.

She didn’t even have the courage to turn around, there was no time to hide.

Her face turned pale instantly.

Why did he arrive now?

When she just arrived, she didn’t see him, Annelise thought he had already left.

Today, Elijah Warner was not wearing his captain’s uniform.

The black suit was sharply cut, his short hair outlined his deep-set eyes and brows.

The simple white shirt accentuated his clean, crisp demeanor, his shoulders and back straight.

As soon as he appeared, everyone’s poise and grace were overshadowed.

Standing at 1.87 meters, he was impressively tall and well-built.

Even his voice carried a mature, sharp male aura, with a strong impact.

"Apologies, Grandma suddenly fell ill, and I was delayed."

Immediately, his eyes signaled Uncle Ford, the old butler accompanying him, to present the gift.

Everyone was concerned, "Is the old lady okay?"

"No need to worry, she’s much better now."

To him, the Perry Family was like his own family.

But representing the Warner Family today, he first greeted the elders, then congratulated the newlyweds.

The brothers hadn’t seen each other in five years, naturally not mentioning past unhappiness.

Relying on Annelise not daring to snatch things in front of Elias, June straightened her back, proudly raising her brows at Annelise.

Annelise felt out of place, an outsider.

But unexpectedly, after the pleasantries, Elias Warner’s deep eyes turned indifferent.

He casually placed a hand in his trouser pocket, his gaze briefly stopping on June.

"This Peace Lock doesn’t suit you."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed, including Annelise.

June felt humiliated, her eyes immediately reddened.

She bit her lip, sweetly looking at Elias, "Elias brother, what do you mean? Are you standing up for Annelise..."

Before she finished, Elias interrupted.

His piercing gaze shifted to Colin Winter, "Uncle Winter, if I recall correctly, this Peace Lock was the engagement token given to the Winter Family by the Warner Family years ago."

He spoke bluntly, his gaze sweeping across the room, even causing Vincent Winter to hesitate, "Ah... yes, yes, it is."

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

"Since the engagement is null, shouldn’t the item be returned to its rightful owner?"

Elias Warner slowly buttoned his suit, his cold eyes as sharp as a knife, showing no mercy to anyone.

No one expected that this Peace Lock was the token of engagement between the two families at that time!

The Winter Family had been holding onto it, unwilling to return it!

Especially Annelise, it was as if she had been stripped and thrown into the snow.

"Annelise is so shameless! Why does she want the Peace Lock now? She got dumped by Young Master Perry and suddenly remembered the engagement from back then!"

"Is she still fantasizing about marrying into the Warner Family? Mrs. Warner considers her a goddaughter; who would think of marrying their god-brother!"

"Yeah, did Mr. Warner even spare her a glance? He probably doesn’t even remember who she is!"

"That’s Elias Warner! An Air Force commando who went to Surina for peacekeeping! They say he returned with honors and immediately joined Kybourne South Airlines, becoming the youngest captain. Why would a man like that need someone like Annelise Winter?"

Vincent Winter felt utterly humiliated, "Yes, yes, it should be returned! My mistake entirely!"

With that, he grabbed June, "Hurry up and take off the Peace Lock! Return it to Elias!"

The situation was indeed embarrassing!

June was unwilling, but the chain around her neck was accidentally pulled off by Vincent’s forceful tug, "Ouch! Dad! My neck is bleeding!"

Vincent gave her a stern glare, then handed the Peace Lock to Elias Warner, trying to save face for himself.

"It’s my fault for not educating my daughter well, Elias, I heard Mrs. Warner has chosen a suitable fiancée for you? It was our Winter Family’s fault back then..."

"Now that I’ve delivered the gift here, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now! The old lady still needs someone to care for her."

Elias’s cold eyebrows tightened harshly, he didn’t even touch the Peace Lock, gesturing for Uncle Ford to take it.

Seeing Elias about to leave, June couldn’t swallow her pride, angrily glancing at the silently standing Annelise.

Forgetting about the carefully maintained dignified upbringing!

"It’s all your fault! Annelise, weren’t you just aggressively trying to take it from me?"

Unable to hold back, she gave Annelise a hard shove!

"Why do you keep silent when Elias is here?! If you dare, go discuss the ownership of the Peace Lock with Elias!"

With the Peace Lock in Elias’s hands, Annelise’s attention wasn’t on June at all.

She accidentally got pushed out entirely.

In high heels, she stumbled, losing her balance, unable to see who was in front, she fell forward from behind.

Elias was even staggered by her sudden pounce.