Chapter 87

The ruckus drew the crowd's attention, and soon, all eyes were on Liam and Celena, who had arrived without a gift in hand. The whispers turned into outright jeers.

"Liam and Celena actually showed up! Who would've thought? Where'd they find the guts?"

"They've got some nerve, alright, showing up empty-handed like that!"

"Do they even have the money for a decent gift? Everyone here's toting around something pricey. If they can't even spring for a proper present, who in their right mind would partner up with them?"

"Ha! Maybe they brought along some magic cream for sore legs!"

That last jab sent the room into fits of laughter.

The debacle from Reginald's birthday party the day before was the talk of the town. Liam and Celena had made quite the spectacle, with Liam insisting that Celena be taken back to the Stone family.

Under the weight of so many sneering glances, Celena's skin crawled with discomfort. She turned stiff, her body quivering ever so slightly.

Holding back the impul