Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 834 At a lavish wedding gathering, Matt and a few others engage in light conversation, but Matt grows puzzled as the bride and groom have yet to arrive. Nearby, Perry remains silent, visibly troubled by unspoken thoughts. The crowd consists of young, affluent guests, many of whom whisper skeptical and judgmental comments about the wedding and the couple, especially targeting Ariel. They speculate that the ceremony is a facade to appease Ariel and question the authenticity of the marriage, fueled by jealousy and gossip.

As the murmurs grow, Zach arrives and sharply rebukes the group for their disrespect toward Ariel, defending her intelligence, beauty, and achievements. Matt joins in, pointing out the jealousy behind the disparaging remarks and criticizing the timing of the insults on the couple's special day. Their reputations silence the crowd, though the underlying skepticism about Jayson and Ariel's relationship persists. The rumors and doubts have long circulated, and even the grand wedding cannot fully dispel them.

Matt reflects on Jayson's deep care for Ariel and regrets his previous misunderstandings about Jayson's reserved nature. He realizes how fiercely Jayson would defend Ariel against any injustice. Perry remains visibly conflicted, still grappling with his own emotions. Zach, too, understands the disbelief surrounding the couple's public celebration after years of secret marriage, noting how strange and unbelievable the circulating rumors have become. The chapter captures the tension between public perception and private reality amid the grandeur of the wedding.

Chapter 835 Not far away, Matt and a few others were engaged in light conversation, their voices blending with the gentle hum of the gathering. Glancing at his watch with a faint expression of confusion, Matt muttered, "The wedding should be starting any minute now. Why haven't the bride and groom arrived yet? It feels like they're still missing." Perry stood nearby, silent, his lips pressed together tightly. His eyes betrayed a flicker of inner turmoil, as if he was wrestling with thoughts he wasn't ready to voice aloud.

The rightful source is find⁂novel.net Matt's gaze swept across the crowd. The wedding had drawn many young men and women from influential and affluent families, all dressed impeccably for the occasion. Among them, murmurs of discontent and whispered judgments floated through the air. "I think the Larkins are just putting on this wedding to keep Ariel happy," a young woman said with a sly smile, her tone dripping with skepticism. Her companion nodded knowingly. "Right? Everyone knows Mr. Larkin kept his marriage to Ariel under wraps for years. It's clear he doesn't truly love her.

If they hadn't staged this ceremony, it would seem like they didn't respect her enough. Considering her unusual background and current standing, the Larkins are probably just trying to appease her." Another voice chimed in, "Honestly, a man like Mr. Larkin could easily find someone far more suitable than Ariel. I bet she was the one pushing for this wedding just to satisfy her own pride." "They even invited the press and all these guests. It's so obvious what they're trying to do.

Ariel's probably worried about people gossiping that her husband neglects her." Many others nearby shared these sentiments quietly, though only a few younger guests dared to voice them openly. They spoke in hushed tones, assuming their opinions were widely accepted. Suddenly, Zach appeared, having overheard the conversation as he approached. His eyes narrowed with disdain as he looked at the group, a mixture of men and women. "Ms. Walker is intelligent, beautiful, and capable. Surely, there are better targets for your gossip than her," he said sharply.

Despite their privileged upbringing, some of these guests clearly lacked basic decency and maturity, likely spoiled from childhood. Zach's blunt rebuke made the group shift uncomfortably, but he paid them no mind. He refused to remain silent while they disparaged Ariel-a woman who had achieved so much and contributed greatly to their country. Most of their harsh words were born from jealousy. Ariel's rising admiration and the special treatment she received clearly ruffled their feathers. Matt, who had also caught snippets of their remarks, stepped forward with a casual but firm tone.

"Looks like a lot of people here are jealous of Mrs. Larkin's position. It's a shame they chose the couple's big day to embarrass themselves with nonsense." Given the reputations of Matt and Zach, the crowd quickly grew cautious. No one dared to utter another disparaging word about Ariel once it was clear these two stood firmly in her corner. Though Matt and Zach had temporarily silenced the gossip, it was unlikely to vanish completely. Rumors about Jayson and Ariel's relationship had circulated for years, and many still doubted the authenticity of their love.

Even this grand wedding couldn't fully erase the lingering skepticism. Zach turned to Matt, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Mr. Crosby, I never imagined the day would come when you'd defend Ms. Walker." Matt chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Honestly, I can't stand hearing those ridiculous comments anymore. Knowing how much Jayson cares for Ariel, he'd be furious if he heard what's being said." Now, Matt truly grasped Jayson's mindset. The man couldn't tolerate even the slightest injustice toward Ariel.

In the past, Matt had been misled by Jayson's guarded nature, unaware of his true feelings. Had he known, he wouldn't have made so many foolish mistakes. Perry stiffened slightly at Matt's words, still wrestling with his own conflicted emotions beneath the surface. Zach furrowed his brow, scanning the room. He understood why people doubted the couple's relationship. Even he had been surprised when the Larkins announced the wedding. Jayson and Ariel had been married in secret for years. Now, they were throwing an extravagant celebration that dazzled everyone. The scale was breathtaking.

Rumors swirled relentlessly throughout high society, but no version of the story seemed to make complete sense. Each one sounded stranger and more unbelievable than the last. The chapter delicately reveals the complex emotions and social tensions surrounding Jayson's and Ariel's wedding celebration. Amidst the whispers and skepticism from the affluent guests, the genuine loyalty and protective instincts of Matt and Zach shine through, underscoring the deep bonds of respect and understanding they hold for Ariel.

Their defense of her amidst the cold judgments highlights the chapter's exploration of love, loyalty, and the harshness of societal scrutiny. Despite the grandeur of the event, the lingering doubts and rumors about the couple's relationship emphasize the fragility of public perception and the challenges of navigating love under the watchful eyes of others. Yet, beneath the surface of gossip and appearances, the chapter gently conveys a message of quiet strength and unwavering support, reminding us that true affection often withstands even the harshest of storms.

With Matt and Zach stepping firmly into Ariel's defense, alliances are becoming clearer, but the undercurrent of suspicion and rivalry suggests that peace will be fleeting. Readers can anticipate moments charged with emotional depth and subtle confrontations that will shape the course of the story ahead.