“Hey, that’s not nice. You’re so different from First Young Lady Jones although both of you are from the same family.”“Exactly! First Young Lady Jones even brought us coffee and tea earlier. You’ve been brought up by the Jones couple since birth yet your manners pale in comparison.”Catherine narrowed her eyes.A handsome young man dressed in a gray suit came to her rescue. The intimidation was evident in his voice.“Today’s an important day for the Jones and Lowe families. Many honorable guests will show up to this event, including Cindy Turner. Yet the group of you have ambushed a weak girl to embarrass her. Is she an artist or an online influencer? Since you like to interview her so much, why don’t you all work together to make her the next online sensation?”The tall man’s outfit naturally exuded an imposing manner. The reporters dispersed gradually, and a bubble of laughter escaped Catherine’s lips.“Not bad, President Jackson. You’ve become different after taking over th
“Officer Chandler, this is my other darling daughter, Catherine. She’s not only courageous but also kind and upright. Not long ago, she even cooperated with the police and went undercover to take down a group that makes illegal videos. Sigh, my eldest is getting married soon but my youngest is still single. I hope she gets married soon as well. Don’t you have a younger son available too…”A flurry of emotions chased across Officer Chandler’s face in quick succession. Everyone in Melbourne knew Catherine had almost gotten raped on the live stream. No family would dare to take her in anymore. “Oh, right, she sounds like a nice girl. It’s a shame my younger son is already in a relationship. Hey, isn’t that Chairman Wright? It’s been a long time.”Officer Chandler made an excuse and walked away quickly.Jeffery said in disappointment, “Don’t worry, Cathy. I’ll find you a good husband today.”Nonchalance was written all over Catherine’s face. She had already given up hope on this coup
Catherine turned to look at Rebecca before chuckling again.“You’re secretly jealous that I’m prettier than you, right? Say it outright instead of trying to throw subtle hints left and right all the time. After all, you only have to say it and someone else will do the dirty work for you, isn’t it? Then you can go off pretending to be weak and innocent again.”“Catherine, that’s not what I mean. I’m genuinely complimenting you.” Tears of grievance were slowly welling up in Rebecca’s eyes.Ethan could not watch this any longer. “Catherine, haven’t you had enough? You’re the only one being harsh to Rebecca since the beginning.”“There, someone is stepping up to protect you now.” The corners of Catherine’s lips twitched into a meaningful smile.Ethan widened his eyes in rage. Jeffery finally spoke up, “Alright, we still have guests around. Catherine, go to the private room to keep your Grandma company. Come out again when the ceremony starts.”“I’ll leave after seeing Grandma…”“You
“Fine, I’ll go.”Silently, Catherine pushed Granny Jones, who was in a wheelchair, out of the room and toward the banquet hall. They would be sitting at the same table as the Jones couple and Ethan.However, after taking her seat, she noticed Wesley sitting at the other main table reserved for immediate relatives.A look of confusion spread across her face. He claimed to be distant relatives to both these families but why was he sitting together with Elder Lyons and Granny Lyons?Not to mention Shaun. He actually did not attend the ceremony although he was Ethan’s uncle.Quite the contrary, Janet and Cindy, who were not even that familiar with Rebecca, showed up.Catherine laughed internally. Rebecca had surely gone all out to build friendly relationships with people she did not like.The engagement ceremony commenced at 12.12 p.m. The emcee went up the stage to thank everyone for their presence. Finally, both Ethan and Rebecca were invited up the stage.Rebecca, who was dres
Catherine had nothing to do with this but evidently, someone was trying to frame her.The only person who could do all this was probably Rebecca!This woman actually sacrificed her own engagement party for this reason. How cruel!“Who the hell did this?!” Sally screamed angrily. “Where are the photos previously saved in the memory card?”The floor manager hurried forward. “Madam Jones, I’m truly sorry. We just realized the memory card has been replaced.”“Who would do something terrible like this?!” Sonya shouted.Cindy replied almost right away, “Aunty Sonya, it’s obvious that someone is trying to ruin the ceremony.”“That’s right. We must find out who is behind this!”“I’m not sure if I should say this.” Right at that moment, Aunty Helen, who was looking after Granny Jones, stood up cowardly and stuttered, “I saw Second Young Lady Jones sneakily entering the media room earlier.”Startled, Catherine suddenly understood something.She remained silent, but Jeffery was already
“What? Today is Granny Jones’ 80th birthday?”“That’s unacceptable. The old woman is probably heading toward the end of her journey. You mustn’t miss the 80th birthday celebration.”Jeffery’s face was written over with rage and embarrassment. “I’m looking into the matter of you ruining the engagement ceremony, so stop trying to divert the attention. I’ll naturally mention your grandma’s birthday after this.”“Sure, let’s return to the engagement ceremony then. Based on the words of a newly-hired carer, you’re strongly accusing your own daughter without hesitation! Have you checked the security footage? I’ve stayed in the private room with Grandma since I stepped foot into this place and didn’t leave until the reception started. I believe a luxurious seven-star hotel like this will have many security cameras installed.”Catherine declared in confidence, “If the security footage shows that I’ve been inside the media room, not to mention apologizing, but I’ll even kneel down on the gr
“You…” Cindy was visibly shaking by now.“Stop it, you. We were best friends for almost eight years and we’ve taken countless pictures together. Don’t force me to prove it.”Catherine calmly swept her gaze past the guests before finally landing her attention on the Jones couple.“There’s no need to check the security footage because the Jones family wouldn’t allow it to happen anyway. I don’t want to stay at this ceremony for a minute longer. Honestly, I’m disgusted by all of you hypocrites.”Then, she threw the microphone aside, jumped off the table, and started walking out of the banquet hall under everyone’s gaze.The Jones and Lowe families looked extremely embarrassed.Ethan was the most ashamed out of all. Finally, his father stepped forward and announced to the guests, “Let’s start the feast while the young couple gets changed and gets some rest upstairs. I bet they’re getting tired too.”He threw a warning glare at Ethan after saying that. The latter gritted his teeth as
Besides, Ethan could not bring himself to imagine Catherine being with another man.“Uncle, I think you’ve gone mad. Some people are not as innocent as they appear on the surface—”“I’ve had more professional experience than you and I’m also a few years older than you, so you can stop telling me what to do,” Wesley interrupted the man softly.“Moreover, what kind of a man are you to slander your ex-girlfriend who basically grew up with you?”Ethan’s face was red with embarrassment. “I’m saying it for your own good. Grandpa and Grandma will never accept her into the family.”“Is it for my own good or for yours? I’m sure you know the answer better than anyone else.”Ding. At this moment, the elevator arrived.Wesley led Catherine into the elevator, shutting out Ethan’s angry face on the other side of the elevator doors.While in the enclosed space, she was overwhelmed by the emotions that crashed through her.He glanced at her. Thinking that she must be frightened, he patted her