Tears streamed down Vivian’s face as she cried pitifully, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry, Charlotte. It was an ident. I didn’t mean to bump into you, I’ll pay for the diess. Hease don’t be mad at me.
She yed her part perfectly. She lowered herself, acting utterly pitiful. But Charlotte saw right through her act. Vivian wasn’t apologizing to her. She was performing for Sean and Mis. Jasper Sr., hoping in paint herself as the victim.
With a cold smile, Charlotte replied, “Wow, what a perfect little performance. If I don’t forgive you, I’ll look petty and unreasonable.”
Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s expression darkened with anger. She pointed a trembling finger at Charlotte, turning to Sean “Sean, look <b>at </b>her! Look how she’s bullying poor Vivian right in front of our family!”
Sean frowned and gently but firmly lowered his grandmother’s hand “<b>Grandina</b>, let’s just walt for the security footage.”
Panie red in <b>Vivian’s </b>eyes. She doubled down on her performance, crying even harder, her sobs filled with heartbreak.
Around them, the guests whispered among themselves. The num
inmines were sott, but close enough for Charlotte to catch snippets:
“Isn’t Charlotte supposed to be the future daughter–inw of the Jasper family? Why is she arguing with Mrs. Jasper St.?”
“Looks like Mrs. Jasper St. doesn’t like her one bit.”
“Of course, Mrs. Jasper <b>St. </b>dotes on her granddaughter. Sure, Vivian’s just an adopted child, but she’s been part of the family for over a decade. That’s <b>a </b>lot closer than an outsider <b>who </b>hasn’t even married in yet.
“Vivian might be adopted, but she’s still considered a Jasper heiress in public. And if Charlotte <b>marries </b>in, Vivian will be her sister–inw. offending both her and Mrs. Jasper? Not a great start for the future Mrs. Jasper.”
*Exactly, Charlotte really should watch her temper, past because her family has money doesn’t mean she can push people around. It’s terrible. Does she look down on Vivian because she was just a housekeeper’s daughter?”
“Isn’t this past bullying? It was just an ident. Vivian bumped into her by mistake<b>, </b>and now Charlotte’s making such a big deal out of it. All this drama overa dress? Her family is loaded–what’s one ruined dress to her?”
“Getting on Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s bad <b>side </b>over <b>a </b>dress<b>? </b>That’s a temble trade off. Charlotte <b>really </b>doesn’t know how to pick her battles ”
what do you think? Who’s Sean going to side with?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He’ll stand with his grandmother and Vivian Mrs. Jasper is his actual <b>grandma</b>, and he’s grown up with Vivian <b>as </b>his sister for years. As for Charlotte? She’s just a fiancée–an arranged match for family Interests, not love.
H
“Exactly. In our circle, marriages are all about alliances, not love. Sean will definitely side with his family.”
“Look at Mrs. <b>Jasper </b>St.—she’s furious. Do <b>you </b>think this engagement will still happen?”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”
These whispered judgments drifted into Charlotte’s ears, and she wasn’t the only one who heard them. <b>Vivian </b>and Sean <b>did </b>too.
Vivian kept her head down, wiping away fake tears, pretending to cry. Only she knew she <b>was </b>hiding a triumphant smile.
But suddenly, Sean’s voice rang out, sharp andmanding, cutting through the murmurs like a de. “Who said I would side with Vivian? Who said this marriage won’t luppen?–
The entire coom fell <b>silent</b>. The whispered <b>gossip </b>vanished in an instant, and even the orchestra stopped ying, & heavy, tense silence settled over the grand <b>hall</b>. Sean’s icy gaze swept over the crowd before he stepped forward<b>, </b>took Charlotte’s hand, and <b>spoke </b>with unwavering <b>resolve</b>, each word clear and powerful. “Thais is ther wornan i love. Marrying her luas been my dream <b>for </b>years. It’s a manage <b>I </b>asked Mr. Riley for–ngs for business, not for convenience, but because I want her in my life.”