Chapter 3

"Sarah, will you attend Henry's and my engagement ceremony?" Charlotte's voice was gentle. "Though you were Henry's former fiancée, he's always considered you like a sister. As your future sister-in-law, I truly hope to have your blessing."

I lifted my gaze to the figure in the distance. There he was, leaning casually against the luxury car, his eyes filled with gentleness. In that moment, my heart found its peace.

"Of course. I sincerely wish you both endless happiness together."

Meanwhile, Henry stood drinking with friends on the terrace, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Emily's group.

He understood their habits all too well. That group had always been Sarah's informants, without fail reporting back to her.

Just like clockwork, whenever a woman appeared in his life, they would immediately alert Sarah, who would then arrive to create a scene. It was this endless cycle that he despised most. Over time, he had gradually distanced himself from female companions.

He expected this time to be no different. That's why he had deliberately scheduled it for the day Sarah left for Silverbrook Haven.

Though the timing wasn't perfect - the engagement ceremony wasn't until seven in the evening. Henry could feel a headache building. After all, once Sarah heard the news, she would likely catch the first flight back - arriving just as the engagement ceremony began.

"Henry, what if Sarah returns to disrupt everything?"

"She's your ex-fiancée after all. She'll probably lose it when she learns you're with someone else."

"Although she's been unusually quiet recently."

"You abandoned her for Charlotte at the altar, yet she barely showed any reaction."

"That's strange - in the past, she would have been beside herself by now."

Henry's wine glass froze halfway to his lips, the sip forgotten as his friend's words sank in.

Sarah had indeed been unusually quiet lately - unnaturally so. This wasn't like her at all. Throughout the years, despite his countless rejections, she had never given up, each refusal only strengthening her resolve.

Now that she was older, she seemed to have developed more patience.

A thought suddenly struck Henry, bringing a soft chuckle as he set down his glass. "Just wait and see. She's never been one to remain silent for long."

"Henry, you think Sarah will come back to cause trouble?"

Henry didn't respond, but internally he was certain. She had always been emotional since childhood.

During her teenage years, she had been obsessed with romantic dramas, trying every cliché move on him. He knew her playbook by heart. This period of quiet was surely just another tactic. He would bet anything that by the time the engagement ceremony started, Sarah would make her appearance.

"Increase security," Henry said, checking his watch. "Don't let any uninvited guests in to cause disruption."

Just then, Emily came running up. "Henry, Sarah's here - her car's at the front gate..."

Henry felt an odd stirring inside before his expression darkened. "She never learns, still coming to make trouble!"

"Henry, what should we do? If she creates a scene, the Crawford family name..."

With a grim expression, Henry strode toward the entrance. "Let's see what drama she tries to create this time!"

Everyone followed his lead. As they were leaving the terrace, Charlotte's soft voice called out.

"Henry."

She stood there in a champagne-colored gown, her hair elegantly styled, her makeup subtle and fresh. Though the engagement ceremony was still hours away at seven, Charlotte maintained her composure despite her internal anxiety.

"Why did you come here?"

Henry paused, his gaze falling on Charlotte's face. She was truly beautiful - the kind of beauty that awakened a protective instinct in others.