How to Knock a Princess off Her Pedestal

I glanced at the camera that was still recording everything. From the corner of my eye, I noticed quite a few guests in the audience watching enthusiastically as the drama unfolded. I also caught sight of several men with lewd smiles on their faces.

It instantly made me feel sick to my stomach.

I turned my head back toward Nadia with an icy gaze.

She was still rambling on. "You've never dated anyone before, Bowie. She's lucky to be able to marry you! I just wanted her to know her place. She should be honored and grateful that she even gets to marry into our family!"

Looking at the undisguised schadenfreude on Nadia's face, I found it all the more laughable. She spoke as if I had begged for this marriage. What made her think that I was inferior to them after I married into their family? So what if I slept with others before marriage?

What era were we in now? Why did she think anyone still cared about such antiquated views?

I sneered and said, "Then why don't you marry Bowen yourself?"

Nadia shouted defiantly, "Sure! I'd be overjoyed to get to marry Bowie!"

"In that case, this wedding is off. You marry him yourself," I said firmly.

With that, I tore off my veil and turned to leave.

At that moment, Dad stood up and slammed the table. "The Lawson family has gone too far. We're calling off the wedding!"

"Lauren!" Bowen suddenly panicked and grabbed my wrist in alarm.

He turned and scolded, "Nad, this is your sister-in-law! What nonsense are you spouting? Mom, come over here! Cover her mouth and take her away now!"

Jemima opened her mouth as if to say something, but upon seeing Bowen's stern expression, she had no choice but to comply.

Bowen apologized in a low and submissive voice, "Lauren, I didn't know Nad would pull something like this. We'll definitely give her a good talking-to later. Please don't be mad."

I had never seen Bowen so humble. But instead of feeling moved, I only felt bitter disappointment. He had had countless chances to step in and stop Nadia from saying all those outrageous things. However, he never stepped forward to stop her—not even once.

It wasn't until I said I wouldn't marry him that he panicked, which was utterly absurd.

I coldly shook off his hand and turned to leave.

As I turned around, I noticed the large screen that had been playing the video of Bowen and me had gone black.

In the next second, they were replaced by photos of me and Bowen in bed! One after another, the screen displayed images of us, undressed, in all sorts of intimate poses.

Bowen's body, aside from his face, was heavily censored. Unlike him, I had only a few crude mosaics covering my essential parts.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Then, there came an uproar consisting of loud gasps of disbelief that nearly blew the roof off the hotel.

My head throbbed so hard I was sure it would explode at any moment. My face turned ghostly pale, and I turned to Bowen to demand an answer.

"What is this?" I questioned coldly.

Bowen was also stunned. "I… I don't know. I made sure to store them in my computer securely…"

"The passcode to Bowie's computer is my birthday." Nadia's smug voice came through the speakers. "I wanted everyone to see how slutty you are in bed when you seduce men!"

Photo after photo of my nearly naked body continued to be displayed on the screen.

My body swayed, and I could barely remain standing. I dug my nails into my palm to stay composed. Quickly, I ordered someone to go backstage to stop Nadia.

But right then, Bowen suddenly shouted in terror beside me. "Wait, stop it! Stop showing the photos!"