Chapter 459:
âOh my God! Is this even real? A heartthrob in the flesh?â Two years prior, Rhys had made a splash on a financial TV show, captivating millions with his brief fifteen-minute segment.
âHang on.
Am I seeing things, or is that my long-lost crush? Who wouldâve thought heâd ever show up at something as fancy as an engagement banquet?â
âIt seems heâs here to support Miss Morgan! Rumor has it, they were inseparable as kids!â
As word of Rhysâ arrival spread, a ripple of surprise transformed the faces of the four hosts in the lobby.
Angela couldnât hide her delight. Rhys actually showed up! Wonderful! She could pretend this engagement banquet was hers and Rhysâ special occasion.
Wade, on the other hand, was less enthused. Without Lindsay by his side, Rhysâ presence only reminded him of the connections he was likely to lose. Relief washed over Wadeâs parents, however.
Rhysâ presence lent the Brooks family the prestige they desperately needed at this moment. Many guests had opted out of the engagement party due to reservations about the Morgan family, leaving the venue eerily empty save for a few pillars of high society. This visibly disheartened Saul. Wilton and Belen shared a knowing look, their features betraying nothing. Rhysâ unexpected attendance had caught them off guard.
Just as Saul was about to leave Wilton and Belen to greet Rhys, Rhys himself turned, reaching back gracefully into the car.
Harlee, with an air of elegance, emerged, her black veil casting a shadow across her brow. Rhys, ever attentive, crouched to arrange her dress, mindful she might catch her foot.
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âHarlee,â Rhys murmured, his voice low and gentle, as he took her hand, his lips curving into a faint smile.
âLetâs go.â Together, they navigated through the crowd which, upon noticing them, hurriedly aimed their cameras in their direction.
On the live stream, comments cascaded rapidly.
âWhoâs the lady behind the black veil? Why all the secrecy?â
âShe bears a striking resemblance to Harleeâ¦â
âThatâs because she is! Iâve heard from reliable sources that Harlee and Rhys are an item!â
âHold on! Seriously? Is that my stoic heartthrob holding her hand so tenderly?â
The online world lit up with fervor, mirroring the buzzing atmosphere in the hotel lobby. Meanwhile, Saul and Jenesis shared a knowing look, their gaze finally settling on Angela. They, being privy to inside information, understood the full scope of the Hilton familyâs dramatic financial collapse.
Pondering the risks, Saul took Wadeâs hand urgently and murmured, âGet her inside, quick!â The subject of his remark was undoubtedly Angela.
A sense of dread filled Saul.
He was worried that Harleeâs disapproval of Angela could ignite a conflict that would engulf the entire Brooks family.
Angela found herself hastily pulled into a secluded corner, casting a fierce gaze at her surroundings, her fists balled in frustration. It was beyond her expectations that the Brooks family would relegate her, the main character of the party today, to such a demeaning position, utterly ignoring her stature.
She believed she was made for a man of Rhysâ stature, yet she had stooped to marrying Wade, whose importance stemmed entirely from his familyâs influence. Now, Wade and his family had the audacity to look down on her! A surge of resentment welled up inside Angela. She caressed her belly, her lips twisting into a menacing smirk. If they were going to be ruthless, she would match their cruelty without hesitation!
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