Cancelled Engagement 4

They arrived at the venue where the banquet was being held in no time.

Hopefully Jade Greeley was ready for the bombshell that was about to be dropped on her as she is still unawares of her engagement.

The banquet was held in one of the many five star hotels under Greeley Corporation.

The grand entrance and the main hall were beautifully laden with complemented colours of different scented candles as well as flowers intricately placed to enhance the hall’s elegance.

Exquisitely looking chandeliers decked with colourful gems hung strategically at various places above the floors of the grandiose hall, adding to the beauty of the hall. The decorations had a sophisticated yet elegant and relaxed décor vibe.

When they entered the main hall where the banquet was being held, the whole room was filled with the whispers and murmurs from the various guests that had been invited to the banquet. Few of the guests turned to gaze at the beauty who just walked in.

Jade Greeley walked with an amble gait into the hall with her hips swaying from one side to the other with her fluid movements further accentuating her shapely figure. She completely ignored the stares from the guest as she was not in the mood to entertain them.

Socialising at such events was never something she was fond of. To her it was akin to a masquerade ball but far worse. At least at a masquerade ball, the mystery behind the mask was part of the intrigue. But for this kind of socialite banquet, everyone just throws on a different mask by the minute. It was all a game to show whoever could act and pretend better to get more benefits.

Jade Greeley quickly located her family, and then briskly walked up to her family. All this while, with the only subtle smile she could muster up plastered across her face. Meg Chu tagged behind her holding her purse and other essentials.

It seemed to be that time of the year again. The time to show the world the Greeley’s ‘A Happy Family Pretence.’

Jade Greeley’s family were being accompanied by her soon to be in-laws and Fiancé. Matt Greeley, Jade Greeley's father has always been a man of pride especially when it came to his daughters (probably just two out of the three though) and his company. Her mother, Mrs Elizabeth Greeley, even though a petite woman was very strict, at least to Jade. Jade Greeley's siblings consisted of an elder sister who had been out of the country for a long time and her “meek” younger sister.

The eldest, Scarlett Greeley, had not returned since she went out of the country for studies. Before she left, she was the only one who seemed to care about Jade Greeley. The rest simply acted like she wasn’t a part of the family until they needed her for something. Especially her younger sister, Lily Greeley, who always liked to portray herself as a meek girl. She was a well-known pianist and liked being praised for her talent.

As she did not know anything about business, Jade Greeley was then left to run the company with her father. Though her father wanted to use the opportunity that Scarlett Greeley was studying outside the country to test his hand on international soil, the no communication from her for over five years now made it difficult.

For the banquet, only Jade Greeley’s father, mother, and younger sister were around. Her eldest sister couldn’t make it in time for the charade. Like always, they sent the details of the event to the most current address of hers they knew.

Jade Greeley’s family were accompanied by William Hoyle, the young man she was meant to be engaged to and his family - his father, Mr Aaron Hoyle, his mother, Mrs Rosaline Hoyle, and his sister, Carla Hoyle.

As soon as Jade Greeley was close enough to them, she heard a few lines from both parties and the common word seemed to be ‘engagement’.

Noticing how her sister, Lily was dressed in a fine white off-shoulder ball gown, and acting like the perfect white lotus she was, she assumed she was the one getting engaged.

‘Hmm…. Is Lily getting engaged?’ she pondered to herself. Although she thought that, she kept having a crippling feeling in her gut.

Although she thought like that, for some reason she didn’t know why she had a weird inkling about the so-called engagement. Her mind was unsettled as she pondered about what was going on. She has always trusted her instincts in the business world and it has never failed her so far. So it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to follow it now even if it’s not on business matters.

“Ah! Jade dear you’re finally here,” Elizabeth Greeley Spoke in a soft and gentle tone when she noticed Jade approaching them. Her voice drew everyone’s attention to Jade Greeley who had just arrived. A charming smile bloomed on her face. One that did not reach her eyes.

‘Why is she being so chummy?’ Jade Greeley thought to herself with her face a little relieved from the painted smile she plastered on earlier.

“Ah! Yes! Jade, it’s good you are here. Come here and greet Chairman Hoyle and his wife,” Matt Greeley said, gesturing towards Mr and Mrs Hoyle. Starting right off the bat with introductions.

“Good evening Chairman Hoyle, Ma’am. I trust you’ve had a wonderful evening,” Jade Greeley greeted the chairman and his wife in a courteous manner to which they both responded.

“Mrs Greeley never told us that she had such a beautiful and remarkable daughter,” Rosaline Hoyle, the wife of Chairman Hoyle remarked.

Elizabeth Greeley and Lily Greeley tried to hide their distaste after hearing Mrs Hoyle praise Jade. The mother and daughter duo both squeezed out a dry smile.

“Thank you for the compliment, Ma’am,” Jade Greeley responded with a polite smile on her face.

Elizabeth Greeley plastered on her usual painted smile on her face to avoid suspicion, “Ah… ah what can I say. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“You must really be proud of your daughters. Lily is a gifted child while Jade is such a lovely and accomplished young lady. Where have you been hiding such an outstanding child? My husband speaks highly of you every time. Ah! Right, I don’t see your eldest daughter?” Mrs Hoyle added.

Hearing Rosaline Hoyle with the praises, two people’s faces visibly darkened. Since everyone’s attention was more on Jade, the duo were able to conceal their expressions. Lily Greeley hid her fist which she clenched tightly away from anyone’s sight. She could not help but feel the comparison in Mrs Hoyle’s words. She was never able to understand the workings of the business world and that the one thing she could by no means outshine Jade on. Jade Greeley was known as a business protégé.

“That child is always busy in the states nowadays. She’s even busier than a chairman like myself. I couldn’t possibly pull her out of her work,” Matt Greeley said. He quickly came up with an excuse. He could not tell anyone that his eldest daughter had not kept much contact with them after she left.

“Aren’t you guys forgetting me? Hello sister in-law, I’m Carla. I’m sure we’ll be great friends from now on,” an overly cheerful girl, Carla Hoyle whined. Finally letting the cat out of the bag accidentally as she tried to introduce herself to Jade.

“What sister in law?!” Jade Greeley narrowed her gaze questioningly at Carla Hoyle.