?Chapter 834:


    “They are meant to be together,” another person chimed in with a grin.


    Rachel’s ears grew warm, but An showed no reaction to the whispers and kept a steady grip on her hand as they reached the main table.


    With effortless charm, he pulled out a chair for her. Once she sat, he took his ce beside her.


    “Feeling tired?” An asked gently, tilting his head slightly toward her.


    Rachel shook her head with a small smile.


    “I’m okay, just a little nervous.”


    An chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.


    “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve got everything covered. If anything feels overwhelming, just leave it to me.”


    Rachel nodded, though an underlying unease remained.


    She reminded herself that this marriage was just an arrangement, yet An’s warmth and attentiveness made it feel almost real.


    Suddenly, amotion from the entrance caught everyone’s attention. All eyes turned toward a woman in sunsses, her heels clicking against the floor as she strode toward the main table with unwavering confidence.


    There was an unmistakable authority in the way she moved.


    An’s posture stiffened instantly before he stepped forward.


    Complet3 c0nt3nt at g??lnovels.??????


    “Mom?”


    Rachel blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting to the unfamiliar woman. An’s mother?


    From what Alban had mentioned, An’s mother had remarried and moved abroad, barely keeping in touch with him.


    Since their marriage was just a facade, Rachel doubted An had informed his mother about it. So why was she here now? Rachel’s mind swirled with questions.


    Slipping off her sunsses, Trudy Ramos, An’s mother, fixed him with a piercing stare.


    “You got married without telling me? Do I even matter to you anymore?”


    An met her stare without flinching.


    “You made it clear that you had your own life and didn’t want Lizzie or me interfering. We agreed to stay out of each other’s way and find our own happiness.”


    He was telling the truth. Years ago, Trudy had made that decision. She had been a strong-willed woman, bound by a loveless arranged marriage to An’s father.


    Their rtionship was so strained that even basic politeness was difficult to maintain.


    After giving birth to a son and a daughter—fulfilling what she saw as her duty—she made a firm decision to divorce and seek her own happiness.


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