Then, like a plot twist, another tidbit hit the grapevine, steering all the wild guesses away from the King Pendragon.Word on the street was that Spencer's tour to Drunham City was all for a VIP's upcoming wedding. That high-roller had rolled out the red carpet for Spencer himself to whip up a wedding dress for his soon-to-be missus!That scoop had everyone's tongues wagging—just who was that VIP?Getting Spencer to design a dress was a dead giveaway of the guy's clout.Let's not forget the ladies, green with envy over the mystery bride who had snagged a Gibson original, a sure sign of her beau's adoration.By the time Cheryl breezed back into the Stone family's corporate halls from the airport, the buzz was all about the enigmatic bigwig and his veiled bride-to-be.Cheryl overheard the whispers and could not resist. She straightened up, walked confidently to the cluster of gossiping colleagues, and announced with a hint of smugness, "I've just returned from the airport..."Her
Cheryl's statement was loaded with innuendo, and even without finishing her sentence, everyone jumped to the conclusion that she had gone with the Abbott Group's heir to welcome Spencer. After soaking up enough envy in the office, Cheryl strutted with her head held high and hips swaying toward Celena's office.Cheryl did not bother to knock as she barged through the door, her head held high and a smug look on her face. She spotted Celena at her desk and sneered, arms crossed over her chest as if she owned the place. She sauntered over to Celena, looking her up and down with pure disdain. "Guess what, Celena? I've got some fabulous news. On the 28th, I'll be the star of the show, marrying the heir to the Abbott empire in a one-of-a-kind Mr. Gibson gown. I always said I'd be the bride that turned every head in Drunham City, the envy of every woman. Well, now it's not just the city that'll be green with envy. It's the whole country! They'll all wish they were me, Cheryl. And you? Wha
"Got the picture of how big a deal Mr. Gibson is? Listen up, at the wedding on the 28th, I'll be the one turning heads in a Gibson original. I'll be the bride everyone's talking about, while you, Celena, will just fade into the background."And Celena, no offense, but lady luck sure isn't on your side. Seven years back, Liam left you with more than just a broken heart, and the Stones showed you the door. Now, you're planning your little redo wedding on the same day as mine? What kind of show can you possibly put on based on what you've got?"I can tell Liam isn't too concerned about you either, picking that date on purpose. He's practically setting you up for a fall. And let's be real, with the kind of buzz you and Liam have around you, throwing a make-up wedding is just asking for trouble. If I were in your shoes, I'd skip the whole thing rather than make a spectacle of myself!"Cheryl unleashed a torrent of words, not letting Celena get a word in edgewise, her snooty attitude beli
By evening, the buzz had spread through Drunham City like wildfire: Spencer, the renowned designer, had been invited by some big shot to create a wedding gown.The gossip mills were churning, everyone eager to know who had the clout to bring Spencer to town.The Stones were particularly thrilled, especially since Cheryl had bragged at work about her upcoming wedding on the 28th, where she would be the star in a Gibson original.The buzz swept through the Stone family like wildfire, and they even threw a lavish banquet to celebrate and chew over the juicy details.Naturally, the guest of honor at the evening's festivities was none other than Wasyl himself!Who, pray tell, was Spencer?None other than a world-famous wedding gown designer! His creations are so coveted that even royalty—the Biskeland King, no less—wore his design to tie the knot. That's the kind of clout Spencer carries!Then, Cheryl's big day will be graced with a gown spun from the dreams of Spencer himself. Come
Wasyl, basking in the glow of everyone's praise, remained composed, even throwing in a humble brag here and there. However, behind his aw-shucks demeanor, he was practically bursting with pride.Celena, perched quietly on the sidelines, watched Cheryl soak up all that envy-worthy attention. A twinge of jealousy hit, sure, but she was too thankful for Liam's gesture, a do-over wedding to make up for lost time, to make a fuss.Liam, right by Celena's side, could not help but chuckle at Wasyl and Cheryl's antics. Shameless was one thing, but that? They were really pushing it. Did they ever stop to think about the epic face-plant waiting for them if their charade came crashing down in front of the whole city?As the compliments started to die down, Wasyl geared up for a toast with Reginald.Liam, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly broke the silence, "Wasyl, are you claiming Mr. Gibson came to Drunham City to design a wedding dress at your invitation?"His words cast a chill o
Cheryl's face twisted with displeasure, those words dragging her back to that unpleasant scene in the airport's underground parking lot."Poor Celena, I actually pity you. Once shamed by this man, cast out of the Stone family with an illegitimate child, and now, making grandiose claims because you can't measure up!"I was at the airport with my husband today for a pickup. If he didn't invite Mr. Gibson to Drunham City, who did? Surely not that loser Liam?"If I were you, I'd keep a tight rein on that mouth. Brag all you want, but at least have the chops to back it up, or you're the one who'll end up looking foolish!"Cheryl's biting words sent a wave of laughter rolling through the crowd.The people closest to Celena joined in with their own biting comments. "Seriously, Celena, out of all the guys out there, why pick a deadbeat like that?""And he's got such a big ego too!""It's a total disgrace, Mr. Stone. Don't let that loser come to our family dinners anymore!""Exactly. Th
There on the hospital bed, surrounded by beeping devices, laid a little girl who was covered in blood. Her life was hanging by a thread. Her mother, Celena Stone, was sitting next to the bed, holding her hands tightly. Celena was covered in tears. She forced herself to endure the pain deep down and comforted her daughter, "Be a good girl, Jovie. Your father will come back to see us as long as you're a good girl.""Mom, it hurts so much! Am I going to die soon? I want to see Dad. I'm not a bastard. My father is very powerful—"Before Jovie could finish, she started shaking all over because of the pain.After Celena saw Jovie fainted, she frantically took out her phone. While she cried and instinctively dialed the number she memorized for years, she said, "Be good, Jovie. I'll tell your father to come and see you now. Don't fall asleep, alright?"Once the call was picked up, Celena did not wait for the person to say anything. She immediately said, "Liam, I'm Celena. Could you com
A sense of guilt and rage washed over Liam.Upon hearing Liam's bellow, his subordinate accelerated without hesitation, flying them to Drunham City at top speed.Liam kept repeating Celena's and Jovie's names over and over again in his mind.He used to be the heir of the Cole family from Drunham City. Tied with the Walker family, they were the top families in the city.Seven years ago, Liam was married to his childhood friend, the eldest daughter of the Walkers.On the day of the wedding, the Walkers drugged his drink behind his back and dropped him in Celena's lounge. Celena's family—the Stones—were relatives of the Walkers.Later, both the Walkers and the Stones joined forces to make a fuss. They said they wanted to seek justice for Celena and the Walker family's daughter. They then took the opportunity to gobble up the Cole family's properties.The Cole family collapsed overnight. Their businesses were divided and properties were taken away. The Stones even wanted to take L