Although they hadn't heard a name, Old Mr. Blackwood's public affirmation of his future granddaughter-in-law, coupled with Brianna's heartfelt adoration and pride, all pointed to one thing-the heir to the Blackwood fortune truly had his heart set on someone. And the entire Blackwood family was exceedingly pleased and approved of this future matriarch.
This only made everyone more curious.
Who could this mysterious person be, to have captured the hearts of three generations of the Blackwood family?
At this moment, the most embarrassed and humiliated person was, without a doubt, Isabella.
She felt the stares of everyone on her, each one filled with mockery and amusement, piercing her like needles.
Humiliated and furious, she wished she could turn and leave right then and there.
But as she looked at Elara Hale still standing on the main stage, she thought to herself that Elara Hale must be feeling...
Even more humiliated than she was!
But Elara Hale's face was only slightly troubled; she didn't have the look of someone deeply shamed.
She pursed her red lips, looked directly at Nicholas, and asked, "Mr. Blackwood, is it true..... you've already given your heart to someone?”
Nicholas slowly lifted his gaze, his enchanting, almond-shaped eyes still crinkling with a smile.
He casually glanced at Elara Hale.
With a slight curve of his lips, he lazily waved the phone in his hand.
From Elara Hale's angle, she could just make out... the screen indeed showed a chat interface.
The man's lazy smile deepened as he let out a soft sigh. "If you keep talking to me for another minute, the love of my life will be impossible to placate."
It sounded like a complaint.
But his tone was filled with unabashed doting and indulgence. Anyone could tell.
His complaint was nothing but a deliberate show of affection!
A public display of his relationship!
So, based on what the Blackwood heir was saying...
His beloved was here tonight?!
Who?
Who was it?!
The guests' gossip-loving hearts were burning with curiosity. Everyone was desperate to know who this mysterious beloved was, the one so important to the Blackwood heir that he had to be so careful and coaxing.
Which family was about to form a power merger with the Blackwoods?
By now, no one was even considering Isabella anymore.
Although the Blackwoods hadn't publicly named Serena, and she could still hold on
to her title as the Lancaster family heiress...
The Blackwood family's public declaration had completely cut off her path to marrying into their family.
Everyone in their circle would know...
That she, Isabella, had been shut out by the Blackwoods.
She, the Lancaster heiress who had always prided herself on her supposed engagement to the Blackwoods and paraded herself as Nicholas's fiancée, had been reduced to a complete joke.
Her face was as white as a sheet, and she swayed on her feet.
In her heart, she viciously cursed, hoping that Elara Hale would be
even more humiliated a biadenet
laughingstock, and bear the brunt of all the gossip alone!
The one who was rejected after a public declaration of love was the truly pathetic
one!
"I see." Elara Hale looked at Nicholas's face, into his eyes.
It was obvious this wasn't just an excuse from Nicholas.
His heart truly belonged to someone else.
She curved her red lips, her eyes showing no trace of embarrassment, and smiled
with an easy grace. "It seems I was presumptuous today."
Her gaze swept over the guests below, and she gave a slight bow."I was not aware that Mr. Blackwood already had someone he loves. If my actions have offended her in any way, I offer my sincerest apologies."
With that, she smiled, and with the utmost grace and poise, she descended from the
stage.
The perfect picture of a well-bred young lady.
***
In the corner.
Serena lifted her gaze, her face still cool and beautiful, as she looked at the
message from the man on her phone screen.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.
She felt a little thrill of pleasure.
She picked up the lemonade that Nicholas had Patton deliver to her and took a sip.
The corners of her long, bright eyes tilted up slightly.
Her mood had clearly improved.
The lit phone screen displayed the message the man had just sent―
[See? Both my family and I have only ever acknowledged you. Did you hear what
my grandpa said? When are you going to make it official?]
***
When Elara Hale came down t
the main stage, despite being she didn't looks
publicy rejecte maintained the
defeated. She stilli elegance of a high-society lady.
Isabella watched her, scoffing and cursing her inwardly: "Such a pretentious act!"
She couldn't stand Elara Hale's holier-than-thou attitude.
What was all that about fighting and competing?
She was still rejected, wasn't she?
Isabella had no idea where Elara Hale got the confidence to think she could
compete with her.
If it hadn't been for Elara Hale's need to show off, would she have been so humiliated?
Would she have lost her status as "Nicholas's fiancée"?
Isabella couldn't resist. She walked up to Elara Hale, a look of false sympathy on
her pretty face.
"Miss Hale, don't be too disappointed. Nicholas has always been like this. I grew up with him, so I've gotten used to it over the years.”
She smiled, then added, "Would you like to know... who Nicholas's beloved is?"