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The Grand Hall was a shimmering cage of gold and white. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like frozen rain, casting a sharp glow over the elite guests. Roselette stood tall, draped in a floor-length midnight-blue velvet gown. The fabric was heavy and regal, matching the weight in her chest. Beside her, Frederick stood like a statue of ice in his tuxedo, his jaw tight.
The Family Reunion
The heavy doors groaned open. Roselette's breath hitched as she saw them: her brother Richardson, his wife Jannet, their son Han, and the woman she hadn't spoken to in years—her mother.
"Did you invite them, Frederick?" Roselette whispered, her voice trembling.
"Why Should I invite them to the engagement that won't happen?" Frederick replied coldly, his eyes tracking Richardson like a predator.
Roselette's mother hurried forward, her face a mask of deep concern. She pulled Roselette into a tight hug. Roselette froze. Her mother hadn't spoken a single word to her since she chose to marry Frederick, her "unsuitable" lover.
"Why are you suffering alone?" her mother whispered, tears in her eyes. "Your husband was in prison, you and your daughter is in crisis... and you told your brother to hide it from me? When i heard the news after my trip to Europe, my heart would have stopped."
Roselette's icy exterior finally melted. She hugged her mother back, sobbing quietly. "Finally... you're talking to me."
While the women wept, Jannet watched with a fake, painted-on smile. "You even tried to hide this engagement from us, Roselette," she said mockingly. Roselette hesitated, her mind racing. How can I tell her this engagement is just an act for revenge?
Frederick didn't wait for the pleasantries. He caught Richardson's eye. "We need to talk. Now."
They stepped into a secluded corner of the hall, away from the music and the fake smiles. The air between them turned freezing. Frederick's face was a mask of pure fury.
"You're the reason I was in jail, Richardson," Frederick hissed. "You hid your tracks well, but I know the truth."
Richardson didn't even blink. "What did you want me to do? Turn myself in?"
"You were the one who introduced me to the illegal money laundering," Frederick growled, rolling his eyes in disgust. "You pushed me into that world."
Richardson let out a cold, sharp chuckle. "Yes, I did. But if you hadn't used that money, you would have drowned in that massive financial loss. I saved you, Frederick."
"You saved me? I went to prison because of it!" Frederick chuckled bitterly.
"Don't blame me," Richardson said, his voice dropping to a deadly low. "Maybe Bianca trapped you in the end, but you're the one who kept going. Why did you continue with the illegal money for so long, Frederick? Because you were eager for the profits. You were greedy."
Frederick froze, his gaze turning away. The truth stung more than the betrayal.
"In this world, everybody has to be selfish," Richardson whispered, leaning in. "Especially in business. There's no place for family or relations here. Remember that."
Richardson turned on his heel and walked back toward the party, leaving Frederick standing in the shadows, shaking with a silent, murderous fury.
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The Stage of Deception
The Grand Ballroom was a sea of shimmering silk and hidden daggers. The Engagement Stage was draped in heavy cream velvet, surrounded by thousands of white lilies that smelled more like a funeral than a wedding. Gabriella stood at the center, a vision of icy beauty in her champagne silk gown. The off-the-shoulder sleeves showed her trembling collarbones, but her face was a mask of pure marble.
The Arrival
Finally, Jake stepped onto the stage. He looked breathtaking in his white tuxedo, his golden hair glowing under the spotlights. He fixed his gaze on Gabriella, his eyes searching for a flicker of the girl who used to love him. But Gabriella didn't flinch. She met his gaze with eyes so cold they could freeze the sun. To her, he wasn't a fiancé; he was a target.
Fiona, Gabriella's sharp-witted aunt, glided over. She was a powerhouse in her structured navy suit, her jewelry glinting like armor. She leaned into Gabriella's ear, her voice a frantic whisper.
"Gabriella... why are your uncle and Grandma here? If they find out this engagement is just a fake act for revenge, they'll cause a scene that ruins everything!"
Gabriella's gaze shifted to the crowd. "I don't know how they found out. My parents wouldn't tell them. I'm sure it was Robert. He wants to trap me by bringing my family into this."
Fiona sighed, rolling her eyes toward the back of the hall. "I think so too. Fine. Let's stick to the plan. I'm going to talk to Xander now."
Gabriella gave a stiff nod. Jake stood just feet away, oblivious to the war being plotted in whispers.
Fiona slipped off the stage and moved toward Xander, who was standing in a shadowed corner. Xander looked regal but tired. As Fiona approached, he silently handed her a thick document folder.
"You don't regret this, do you?" Fiona asked, her voice softening for the first time. "You're going against your own family for us."
Xander gave her a warm, sad smile. "No. I'm just correcting my mistake."
Fiona looked into his eyes, and for a second, her fierce expression melted into something deeper—something that looked a lot like love. But she quickly pulled away. "I have to go."
As Fiona walked away, a stern voice boomed from behind Xander. "Xander!"
Xander turned to see his Father, the patriarch of the family. The old man's face was etched with disapproval. "What are you doing?"
"Just talking," Xander replied, his tone casual, though his heart was racing.
"You aren't still into her, are you?" his Father warned, his eyes narrowing. "If you are, forget her, fine. She already humiliated us by denying your marriage proposal in front of everyone years ago. Don't be a fool twice."
Xander stayed silent, but his eyes flared with a sudden, sharp pain. He thought back to that day—the day Fiona had said "no." She didn't deny me because she didn't love me, he thought bitterly. She denied me because of you. Because of your greed that destroyed everything.
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The Bitter Sweet Betrayal
The grand ballroom was a shimmering ocean of gold and white, but behind the velvet curtains of the backstage area, the air felt heavy and cold. Gabriella stood there, her champagne silk gown rustling with every nervous step. The dress was a masterpiece—delicate lace hugging her waist before flowing into a majestic train—but it felt like a gilded cage.
The Hidden Agenda
"Where is Ajax?" Gabriella whispered, her eyes darting around. "He was supposed to be here by now."
Dona shook her head, her face tight with worry. "I don't know. I've called him ten times, but he isn't picking up. Gabriella... look." Dona pointed toward the entrance. "Lara is here. I didn't think she'd show her face."
Gabriella's gaze sharpened. She turned to leave the stage, but Dona grabbed her arm. "No, Gabriella! Stay here! Jake is watching."
"I have to go," Gabriella said, her voice like ice. Jake, standing across the stage in his white tuxedo, noticed her movement but remained silent, his eyes dark with unreadable thoughts.
Gabriella reached Lara near the tall marble pillars. "Have you seen Ajax?" she asked coldly.
Lara scoffed, her dark eyes flashing. "How should I know? He's so close with his 'new friends' ..... you." She then smiled a chilling, fake smile. "Finally... you're engaging with your true love."
Gabriella exhaled, her expression blank. "So what?"
Lara's eyes narrowed. "Something is off. You're planning something behind this engagement, aren't you?"
Gabriella smiled—a sharp, dangerous curve of the lips. "You're sharp, Lara."
As Gabriella turned to walk away, Lara grabbed her hand, her tone suddenly softening, slipping back into the voice she used when they were best friends. "I know you love him, Gabriella. Why are you doing this?"
"I loved him," Gabriella corrected, her voice devoid of emotion. "Not anymore. I can't love a betrayer." She leaned in, her eyes piercing Lara's. "And what about you? Why are you ignoring Ronnie's love? Why are you still obsessed with a one-sided crush?"
Lara froze, her face twisting into a mask of fury. "Ronnie? He's the reason I got into that accident!"
Gabriella turned back and about to walk, but stopped.
"You have your reasons, and I have mine," Gabriella replied. "But Ronnie has changed for you. He even went against Raina. He cares for you more than anyone, Lara. Even a stranger can see it. Can't you?"
As Gabriella walked back to the stage, Ronnie approached Lara. He looked handsome but tired, handing her a glass of chilled juice. Lara took it, her gaze lingering on his face with an intense, deep emotion.
"Why are you staring?" Ronnie asked with a gentle smile.
Lara looked away, her voice trembling. "Ronnie... you've dated so many classy girls. Why me? I'm just... ordinary." Tears pooled in her eyes.
Ronnie's smile disappeared, replaced by a fierce, serious look. "To me, you are the only one who is special. The others meant nothing." He leaned in, his hand cupping her cheek, and kissed her passionately. Lara didn't resist. She kissed him back, tears streaming down her face.
But as they pulled apart, Lara's heart broke. I don't deserve your love, Ronnie, she thought. While they were lost in the kiss, she expertly slipped a folded note into his blazer pocket—a secret he wouldn't find until it was too late.
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To be Continued....
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