Plaza Hotel.
Wedding Venue.
"Dad, Ross is over there. You should go talk to him."
Monica, sensing the tense atmosphere, quickly urged her parents away.
"You talk too much!"
After Monica's parents left, her mother complained, "What, are you trying to play the man again? Or did you sense something was off with Ross and want to know more about him?"
"Of course not."
Monica's father sighed in frustration. "I'm just a normal person with normal curiosity. And besides, I didn't even get a chance to pretend I didn't care. Adam used to keep up with my humor. What's up with him this time?"
"You should know when to joke around!"
Monica's mother snapped, "Adam is Chandler's best man. Of course, he's going to take Chandler's side and stand up for his mother!"
"Also, this is your daughter's wedding! We never thought we'd see this day, and we even spent Monica's wedding fund. Someone is not only willing to marry your daughter but also covering the wedding costs. You should be secretly laughing with joy, not making Chandler's mom feel uncomfortable! What on earth were you thinking?"
"Uh…"
Monica's father was momentarily stunned. She had a point.
"Stop standing there like an idiot."
Seeing her husband still in a daze, Monica's mother became even more annoyed. "Go check on Ross. I hope this wedding hasn't hit him too hard. After all, he's been married and divorced three times."
"Come on!"
Monica's father rolled his eyes. "So what? He's not a woman—he's not that fragile—"
Before he could finish, he saw his wife staring daggers at him. Only then did he realize his joke was once again unappreciated. Awkwardly, he mimed zipping his lips.
"Thank you."
After Monica's parents left, Nora turned her gaze to Adam.
"You're welcome," Adam replied with a smile, resting his hand on Chandler's shoulder.
Nora looked at her son—his well-maintained physique, a face that hadn't aged but instead looked even more youthful and energetic, and a tailored suit that made him even more handsome. She sighed. "As Chandler's mother, I still want to thank you for everything you've done for him."
"I'm his best man," Adam said with a chuckle. "This is what I'm supposed to do."
"Hello, everyone!"
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out. Everyone turned to look and saw Chandler's father strutting over in a black silk dress—looking quite... flamboyant.
Nora's warm expression immediately turned ice cold.
"Hi, Dad…"
Chandler forced a smile.
Even though he had long since come to terms with his parents, introducing his rather "extravagant" father to 128 friends and family members at his wedding was still a complicated feeling.
"Hi, Mr. Bing…"
Monica almost said the wrong name and felt incredibly awkward.
Chandler's father, now going by Helena, didn't seem to mind. She smiled, then turned to her ex-wife. Eyeing Nora's tight golden dress, she sighed with a hint of jealousy. "Nora, don't you think you're a little too old to be dressing like that?"
"Don't you think having one extra thing makes your outfit inappropriate?"
Nora shot back, hands on her hips.
"I don't have that 'extra thing' anymore," Helena replied casually.
Having spent years performing as a drag queen in Las Vegas, she was used to comments like these and even made jokes about herself regularly. Nora's sarcasm was nothing new.
"Hi, Adam."
"Hi, Mr. Bing."
Adam greeted him with a polite smile.
"Just call me Helena."
Chandler's father gave Adam a playful wink.
"Oh no…"
Adam's smile twitched. He had a bad feeling about this.
"Charles Dilley Bing!"
As expected, Nora snapped. "Remember your place. Adam is Chandler's best man and his best friend. If you still care about your son at all, cut out this nonsense!"
In America, when someone is called by their full name—especially including their middle name—it means serious trouble.
For example, Sheldon Cooper's mother was usually very loving, but whenever she said, "Sheldon Lee Cooper!" he immediately responded with "Yes, ma'am!" like a disciplined child.
Back when Helena was still Charles—Nora's husband—he had seen this expression on her face many times. He should have been immune to it by now.
But that was over ten years ago.
Now, after all these years, seeing her this angry again—perhaps even angrier than before—made him feel oddly guilty. For once, he couldn't come up with a snappy comeback.
"Relax," Helena said awkwardly, glancing at the people around them. "Of course I love Chandler. I truly appreciate what Adam has done for him—there's nothing more to it."
"Monica!"
Chandler rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
"Mr. Bing, please come this way. I'll introduce you to my parents."
Without missing a beat, Monica stepped in, gesturing for Helena to follow her.
Helena gladly took the opportunity to escape the awkward situation.
"Adam, I'm sorry," Chandler said, sighing. "My dad is just… like that."
"It's fine."
Adam patted Chandler on the shoulder but looked at Nora instead. "He's used to performing in Vegas. He probably got a little carried away. But I believe he didn't mean anything by it—he loves you. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you again."
"Mom," Chandler said, glancing at Nora.
"I'm fine," Nora said with a forced smile. "Today is your big day. We're all happy for you. Nothing can ruin that happiness—except you not being happy."
"I am happy," Chandler said wryly. "As long as you guys are happy, I'm even happier."
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
Nora turned away.
"Mrs. Bing, let me take you."
Adam immediately offered.
"Yes, let Adam take you," Chandler agreed, then whispered to Adam, "I'll leave my mom in your hands. Take care of her."
"…"
Adam's smile twitched. He knew Chandler meant for him to make sure Nora was okay before the wedding—just like how Monica was looking after Helena—but the wording still felt oddly suggestive.
"Mrs. Bing, this way."
Adam led Nora out of the hall.
Once they were alone, Nora suddenly said, "Adam—"
"Mrs. Bing!"
Adam quickly cut her off. "The restroom is right here."
He gave her a knowing look.
Nora froze, her expression dimming. She gave Adam a long, searching look before reaching for the restroom door. Just as she was about to push it open, someone pulled it open from the inside.
"Amanda."
Adam greeted her with a smile before introducing the two women. "This is Chandler's mother, Nora. Nora, this is Monica's grandmother, Amanda."
"Hello, Nora."
"Hello, Amanda."
Nora forced a smile and shook hands with Amanda.
After Adam and Amanda left, Nora finally stepped into the restroom. She leaned against the wall, placed a hand over her chest, and tried to calm her racing heartbeat…