Episode 11

Startled, everyone anxiously awaited the solution to the problem.

"What solution?" Brenda said, distressed. "We're about to lose everything."

"The Ugarte family has two daughters, and since one has escaped..." Alan said, turning his gaze towards the beautiful Nina, who furrowed her brow. He hoped it wasn't what he was thinking.

"No, not that," Nina replied, frowning. "Nina and Max have had issues, and that would be very difficult," Brenda said, while Thomas kneeled before his daughter.

"Nina, my daughter, I know you and Max don't get along, but this is just an agreement. You don't have to have a relationship. It's only until Maximiliano saves the company. I am utterly ruined. If I take control of the company, I'll be thrown in jail. Nina, my child, save your father, please," the man pleaded humbly. Nina was confused and irritated. (Marry Maximiliano? Not in a million years.)

Nina stepped back, observing her father kneeling on the floor, feeling her heart shatter at the words she was about to speak.

"No, never. I won't marry him. This is your problem, father. You created this mess; you must solve it," Nina spoke, still overwhelmed. It was all madness; she felt cornered.

Brenda nodded, knowing her daughter was right. Before she could say anything, a scornful voice interrupted.

"Well, well, it seems the Ugartes only failed with their businesses, but also with raising their daughters."

"One escapes without caring whether her father goes to jail or they end up on the streets, while the other refuses to marry because her pride is stronger than her love for her parents. What an exemplary... family," Maximiliano entered, wearing an elegant tuxedo.

Nina clenched her teeth; she wasn't like Celia, who had been terribly selfish. Still, how could she bear this marriage? Her mind was consumed by guilt.

"Don't you dare judge my family. It's none of your business," Nina growled, irritated.

"Fine, but I'll wait at the altar for thirty minutes, and if you don't show up, I'm leaving. I'm sorry for Uncle Thomas, but there's not much more I can do. I've lent him a lot of money to help him, yet now I'm the villain in this movie," Max turned around, heading towards the garden where the wedding was supposed to take place. The altar, adorned with white roses and lilies, was beautiful, but there was no bride.

Brenda lowered her head and started crying again. Now they really were in serious trouble. She was about to end the marriage...

"I'll do it. I'll marry Max, but there are conditions we must fulfill since it's a marriage agreement. Let's do it properly," Nina swallowed her pride, desiring to cry over having to do this, but there was no other way. It was either this or have her father imprisoned.

The Cannat family nodded, and the lawyers immediately modified the conditions that Celia had set. Nina was surprised to see that Celia hadn't imposed any conditions. It seemed her sister was willing to be a wife in every sense of the word, while Nina, under no circumstances, would let Maximiliano have control over her. One important request Nina made was to become the vice president of the Ugarte company to learn the ropes and take charge in the future. Her father couldn't return, especially with his gambling problem.

Having announced this, Maximiliano patiently waited for the new bride to get ready. The substitute bride emerged almost an hour later, her face resembling that of a funeral. Alonzo observed her from a distance and knew there would be carnage. Nina despised Max, and being his wife would be a torment. But what worried him most was the look of satisfaction on Maximiliano Cannat's face. It seemed there would be a war in that marriage.

Nina arrived at the beautifully decorated altar in the garden. Max looked at her mockingly, while she felt like dying. She couldn't believe she had to endure this. She had truly believed she would escape this situation unharmed, but it affected her more than she had anticipated.

The guests were surprised to see the bride; it wasn't Celia. Many didn't recognize the beautiful young woman entering the venue, yet they were captivated by her stunning beauty. She seemed like a hallucination. Those who did recognize her were deeply confused. Some started to gossip and slander Nina, recalling her endless infatuation with Max. They spread rumors that she would do anything to marry the elegant and handsome Maximiliano Cannat, even going as far as replacing her own sister and forcing Max to be with her.

Raquel Mitch was the most outraged. She was one of Max's bedmates and had the most encounters with him. She had always hoped to become his wife someday, but it seemed the Ugarte women wouldn't make things easy for her. Celia knew about their relationship with Max, and they wouldn't interfere or share him, after all. However, with this beautiful young woman, things looked different and dangerous.