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
Liam's words instantly made the atmosphere unbearably awkward!Reginald, in particular, was livid. His grip on his cane tightened until his knuckles turned white, and he trembled with rage as he pointed a finger at Liam and roared, "You... you... you've crossed the line!! This is the Stone household. Do you have no respect for our rules?"Celena, who had been quietly crying, jerked her head up, her eyes brimming with tears, one still hanging on like it did not want to fall.She reached under the table and gave Liam's arm a desperate, gentle tug, whispering, "Liam, let's just drop it, okay? Let's finish dinner and head home, please?"Liam looked at her, torn between anger and concern, but for Celena's sake, he let out a resigned sigh and gave a small nod.Seeing that, Celena's lips curled into a weak smile.However, not everyone was ready to move on.Wasyl stood up abruptly, a sneer plastered on his face as he turned to Liam and said, "So, Liam, you're telling us you brought Mr.
With Cheryl's interests at heart, Sherah was not in the mood to tease Celena and Liam. She smiled warmly and said, "Dad, I agree with them. Mr. Gibson came all the way to Drunham City just to design Cheryl's wedding gown. We, as her family, ought to invite Mr. Gibson to dinner, given his prestigious reputation."Reginald had been quiet. He had considered inviting Spencer since he arrived in Drunham City, but he knew the Stone family's standing hardly warranted such an opportunity, let alone a meeting.However, the situation had changed. It was Wasyl who had brought Spencer to town to create Cheryl's bridal dress."You're right. We should extend an invitation to Mr. Gibson," Reginald finally conceded. Reginald mulled it over, then gave a nod and flashed a warm smile at Wasyl. "Mr. Abbott, as part of Cheryl's kin, we really ought to do the honors. Could you see if you might invite Mr. Gibson on our behalf?"Wasyl's reaction was pure shock. His grip on the wine glass slipped, splash
Cheryl's vanity got the better of her after she heard the disappointment in the crowd's tone.She turned her head, tugged at Wasyl's arm, and whispered, "Darling, look how much they are looking forward to it. Is there anything else you can do? I know you're not an ordinary person. You must be able to think of a way. Isn't that right?"Wasyl glanced at the crowd's expression and saw that Cheryl was looking at him with anticipation as well. He suddenly got carried away and blurted, "Well, it's not like there's no way at all. I can give it a try."Sure enough, Cheryl's eyes were filled with adoration as she looked at Wasyl upon hearing his response. It was as if she was seeing her hero. Holding her hands together in front of her chest, she said in excitement, "Wow, darling, I knew you must have a way. You're so amazing!"Reginald and the other Stone family members seemed to have gone through an emotional roller coaster. The initial look of disappointment on their faces was instantly r
The entire meeting room was in absolute chaos. The remaining three Elders were equally vexed, and they all scowled, cracking their knuckles in fury."These people are getting out of hand! How can they possibly frame Liam's poor wife for such an atrocious crime?""We must get to the bottom of this! We must find out who's behind this! He or she cannot go unpunished!"Timothy nodded in agreement and roared at his cowering assistant, "Go find out what truly happened! Find out which filthy scum ordered Celena's arrest and what could possibly delude them into thinking she is a spy against our country!"His assistant squeaked a reply, then sped out of the room as fast as his legs could take him. He did not stop until he reached the front door of the Grand Pendragon Department, where he stood, panting and trying to catch his breath. His expression was wild with fear. He had never seen the Four Elders so furious before. Clearly, whatever had happened to Celena was something very serious ind
Keyon could see right through Prince Faber's apprehension. He replied with a smile, "Prince Faber, why are you so scared of that Liam fellow? Have you somehow forgotten that you are the commander-in-chief now? You have hundreds of thousands of soldiers at your beck and call. Why does it matter what Liam thinks? He has been deposed and is no longer in power! Besides, you have the Yeager family backing you, and there is nothing he can do to harm you!"You don't have to worry about a thing; the Yeagers have this all taken care of. We are just doing this to lure Liam out of hiding. If he dares to touch so much as a hair on your head, he'll be falling right into your trap."Prince Faber furrowed his brows at this. He could not help but question the validity of Keyon's claims. Keyon, sensing this, added, "Prince Faber, you must remember that stripped of his powers, Liam Cole, is now nothing more than an ordinary civilian! If he dares to harm you, he will be sentenced to death for treason a
What would Liam do if he found out Prince Faber had captured his wife? Surely he would not hesitate to turn the entire city upside down to look for her?Prince Faber was more than familiar with Liam's fierce loyalty and could not help but begin to worry at the prospect of having to face his wrath. He stared at Keyon's leering face and asked with belated realization, "Mr. Yeager, you ordered me to capture all those people from the Drunham City Connoisseurs, but the truth is, your sole target has always been Liam's wife. Is that right?"Keyon nodded, smiling. "That's right. We could care less about those businessmen. All we wanted was to get our hands on Celena Stone!"I must admit I was very surprised when I found out that Celena Stone is the wife of the great King Pendragon. Not only that, but I made an even more shocking discovery—it turns out that Liam is none other than the lone survivor of the Cole family, the noble clan who were allegedly wiped out seven years ago!"The ment
After a few moments' hesitation, he finally decided to shoot his shot. "Mr. Yeager, there is something I don't understand. Why did the Yeagers order these businessmen's capture? I've looked into their backgrounds, and they are all honest businessmen who have not broken the law before. If the media catches wind of this, they will surely accuse me of abusing my power…"This was what Prince Faber had been worried about. He had already investigated the people whom the Yeagers ordered to be captured and did not understand why the Yeagers wanted them imprisoned. They were all civilians who had not committed any crime, and he dared not even imagine the consequences if the public found out he had ordered the incarceration of innocent citizens.Keyon understood immediately Prince Faber's concern. He smiled and replied in a reassuring tone, "Worry not, Prince Faber. We Yeagers have taken care of everything. We have made absolutely sure to cover up all your tracks, and no one will know you were
Meanwhile, Celena and the group were taken out of the hotel and shoved forcefully into a couple of jeeps waiting at the entrance. They were whisked away to a nearby military base. Before they could even get their bearings straight, they found themselves being tossed into holding cells. Celena, on the other hand, was taken separately to a small, dark room, illuminated only by the barest sliver of light that peeped in through a tiny window. The room was entirely empty, save for a metal bed frame. A sour stench hung in the air, and it was clear this room had been abandoned for a very long time. A soldier shoved Celena roughly into the room, and before she could realize what was happening, the soldier slammed the door shut.The soldier had pushed Celena so hard that she fell onto the ground, but upon seeing that her captor was about to leave, she leaped to her feet and sprinted over to the door. "Sir, can you tell me what I did wrong? Can you please have mercy on me? Can you at least
Tristan seemed just as baffled as they were. He returned their puzzled gazes with an equally perplexed one of his own. "I… I have no idea…"The general glanced sharply in their direction, then gestured to his soldiers and declared sternly, "Take them away!"His soldiers obliged and stepped forward to restrain the members of the Drunham City Connoisseurs, who all shrieked in alarm, "Why are you taking us away?""General, what did we do wrong? We didn't do anything illegal, so why are you arresting us?""Mr. Xander, save us! They've got this all wrong!""What's going on here? Why are they arresting only us?"Celena's entire body was shaking like a leaf. She eyed the soldiers around her and asked, stammering, "General, what did we do wrong? Why are we being captured? Where are you taking us?"Tristan, stricken with panic, shoved a soldier aside and shouted at the general, "General, I'm the president of the Drunham City Connoisseurs, and I want to know why we're being taken away. Wh
Celena was utterly terrified by the sudden turn of events. She stared pale-faced at the soldiers around her, not daring to move even a muscle. What was going on?All of a sudden, a man in a uniform stepped into the room. The badge on his shoulder indicated to everyone that he was a general. The heavy thumping of his boots echoed through the silent room with every step he took. All eyes were on him as he stepped onto the stage.He carried himself with great authority, and clearly, this man was not one to be messed with. He scanned the room as if searching for someone. Finally, he announced in a deep, resounding voice, "Do not fear, ladies and gentlemen. We are here on a routine check after receiving a tip-off regarding your conference. We will release you all once we have carried out our investigation, and the process will be quicker and smoother if you all cooperate. "Now, I would kindly request you get your documentation ready so that my men may confirm your identity."Everyone
Derek nodded earnestly and replied, "Of course it's true. My sources have never failed me. I wouldn't have trusted you with this information if I didn't think you'd be interested."Celena stared at him for a moment, then turned to glance in the direction of the people he had pointed. She could not help but be tempted by the offer. She considered this for a few moments, then accepted his offer. "Alright then, Mr. Duncan. I'll go with you. Thank you for inviting me."The smile on Derek's face widened. He could hardly believe his luck—Celena had agreed to go with him! Taking that first step was always the hardest, but he had done it!Unbeknownst to Celena, Derek already knew her long before their first meeting at the conference. Her name was known far and wide in Drunham City, not least because of her beauty, but because of her—in the eyes of the public—tragic marriage. Celena had earned herself a reputation as one of the most beautiful women Drunham City had ever seen, and although
The attention they received, however, was large due to Celena and her young, handsome companion, who was a man named Derek Duncan. Their attractive looks, both individually and combined, were easily the topic of discussion that night. Everyone who laid eyes on them admired both their good looks and brains, for certainly only the cream of the crop were allowed to attend this prestigious event. What made this feat even more impressive was the fact that they were both so young!Aside from her beauty, Celena's name was already known far and wide in the business world, not just because of her strong leadership but due to her association with Liam and her company's connections with many international corporations. She had started her business from scratch, but within a few short months, she had single handedly built it up to become one of the top ten grossing companies in Drunham City.There were hundreds of people gathered there tonight, and their seats had been allocated according to t