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    Andrew had initially dismissed Natasha’s warning as sarcasm, but now, as he scanned the room, he realized that not only had Lucas disappeared, but so had Olivia.


    Her absence, however, hadn’t drawn nearly as much attention.


    Andrew’s veins bulged on his forehead. ‘What the hell has that damn girl gotten herself into this time?‘ he cursed inwardly.


    Among the guests, some well–informed insiders who knew about the rk and Wright families‘ ns quickly noticed Lucas was missing. They immediately started gossiping.


    “The whole stage is set up, and now it looks like the groom just ditched?” someone whispered.


    Those who had no idea what was going on looked confused. “Didn’t Mr. rk say he had some good news to announce? Why isn’t he saying anything now?”


    The crowd began to stir restlessly.


    A bunch of trust fund kids huddled together and whispered, “I heard Lucas bailed on thest proposal, too. Is he pulling the same stunt again?”


    A person said, “No way, I thought those two were pretty solid. He didn’t look unwilling at all earlier, and he even handed Natasha a cupcake.”


    Another person said, “I heard they’re breaking up.”


    A third asked, “Wait, for real? What’s the deal?”


    Someone else said, “Natasha’s quite petty. She’s always picking fights with Lucas over Olivia, thinking the two of them have something going on.”


    Someone looked uncertain. “But those two do seem pretty close. I’ve seen Lucas get into arguments with Natasha more than once just to defend Olivia.


    “There was even a time he pushed Natasha aside to protect Olivia from danger.”


    A person asked, “Seriously? Anyone would lose it if they were in her shoes.”


    The person who called Natasha petty earlier jumped in, “Stop talking nonsense! Olivia and Lucas would never do something like that.


    “Lucas only calls Natasha out because she keeps picking on Olivia. He just can’t stand seeing her bully Olivia.


    5:07 pm <b>D </b>


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    “You guys have no idea how awful Natasha is. Olivia’s mom saved Natasha’s life, and she doesn’t even show a bit of gratitude.”


    Someone retorted, “But Olivia’s life in the rk family has always been way better than


    Natasha’s.


    “Back in high school, most people didn’t even know Natasha was from the rk family. They used to make fun of her for being poor.”


    A person said, “She was just faking it. She loves acting all pitiful. Just look at the size of today’s party. If that’s not pampering her, I don’t know what is.”


    Another said, “But honestly, Olivia’s actually pretty nice. It’s probably just a


    misunderstanding.”


    Someone else said, “For sure. Natasha’s been arrogant since she was a kid. She even lost it and hit Olivia several times recently. She’s totally nuts.”


    A person concluded, “No matter what the reason is, Lucas disappearing on her like this in front of everyone is basically humiliating Natasha.


    “How is this engagement even supposed to go on now?”


    As the guests‘ whispers reached his ears, Andrew’s face was as dark as ink.


    The lines he’d practiced got stuck in his throat, and for a moment, he was unsure if he should


    go on.


    Lucas had been perfectly fine just moments ago. There was no way he could im Lucas was suddenly sick or had an ident.


    ‘What the hell is going on?‘ Andrew thought anxiously.


    He looked over at Thomas in the audience, hoping for some kind of reaction.


    Just then, after finishing his conversation with a servant, Emmanuel Wright walked over with a calm smile and smoothly took over.


    He said, “Andrew, are you giving me the honor of making the announcement?”


    He leaned in and whispered in his car, “We’ve found Lucas. He’ll be back soon. Let’s just buy a little time.”


    Then, with a smile, he turned to the guests. “As you all know, our children have grown up together since they were little, and they’ve always had feelings for each other. <fn67c9> Original content can be found at findnovel</fn67c9>


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    “Today, we wanted to take this opportunity to officially announce that our families are about to have an even more intimate rtionship.


    “We’d like you all to be witnesses as we make their rtionship official.”


    His smooth, reassuring words made everyone think that Lucas’s disappearance was just to prepare a surprise.


    Andrew chimed in with a few jokes, then signaled for the staff to start ying a video on the outdoor projection screen.


    Margot and Madeline also stepped in to help smooth things over.


    The video had been put together by Lucas. After all, he and Natasha had grown up together for


    years, so there were plenty of photos and memories of them side by side.


    However, they had much fewer chances to have moments together in the


    past


    three years.


    Lucas had been nning to propose to Natasha again right after the big announcement, when the video was ying.


    Seeing that there was no drama to watch, some people sighed in disappointment.


    Meanwhile, the usual crew who always hung out with Lucas, Olivia, and Matthew scoffed and rolled their eyes.


    They thought, ‘We knew that Natasha’s whole breakup act was just her ying hard to get


    with Lucas.


    ‘Look at her now. She’s all over Lucas again today.’


    ‘She even went so far as to prepare a lovey–dovey video to show off how in love they are.


    ‘She was acting all superior at the start, chin up and looking down on everyone, but now she’s been exposed!’


    As they watched Natasha looking at the still–dark screen with that calm expression, they couldn’t help but feel that she was good at acting.


    They thought that she must be thrilled at that moment,


    Some of them even thought darkly, ‘Natasha marrying Lucas is quite a leap in social status. Let’s be real, Natasha does not deserve him at all.


    ‘Olivia is like a real goddess. She and Lucas would make a perfect couple.;


    5:07 pm


    Maybe their bad vibes were so strong, the universe actually answered their wishes.


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    Out of nowhere, the screen lit up, and the crowd erupted with gasps and a buzz of gossip.


    The ones who’d been rolling their eyes at Natasha’s whole show–off act with Lucas suddenly snapped to attention, their faces instantly freezing.


    The rk and Wright families sat there with grim faces, not saying a word, the tension thick


    in the air.


    Meanwhile, Natasha, who was soaking up all those pitiful nces, lingered quietly at the edge of the dim venue. The corner of her mouth curled up in a barely noticeable smirk.


    ‘He was nowhere to be seen for so long, I almost thought he was really going to ke on me,’ Natasha mused.


    On the giant screen, Lucas and Olivia were locked in a tight embrace.


    Judging by the background, it looked like they were standing by the back door of the vi.


    In the video, the two of them looked like a perfect match.


    Lucas reached out and gently patted Olivia on the head, his voice soft and reassuring. “Don’t be scared. I’ll always be here for you.”


    “Say it again. <i>Say </i>you love me,” Olivia said in a yful, coquettish tone, wrapping her arms around his waist.


    “I love you,” Lucas replied without hesitation.


    “So what about all that talk of you marrying someone else?” Olivia pouted, clinging to him.


    “No way! That’s just their nonsense. I wouldn’t marry anyone but you,” Lucas replied without a second thought.


    His answer was so straightforward and overflowing with affection that, if only they were the right couple, the whole crowd would’ve probably cheered for them.


    However, it only set off a wave of shocked whispers and gasps.


    Even the most clueless person could tell this was a live stream, and judging by the angle, someone was secretly filming them.


    Whoever was behind the camera was a real genius. Not only were their faces crystal clear, but the whole vibe was so perfectly captured.


    5:07 pm 30


    It made the two look like the leads in some epic romance drama.


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    Unfortunately, the people in the video weren’t supposed to be together, so the whole thing just felt awkward and embarrassing.


    ‘So their parents announce the engagement in the garden, and then these two sneak off for a secret rendezvous?‘ everyone thought.


    The shot suddenly switched, swinging around to show Lucas from behind instead of their


    faces.


    From this angle, Olivia was snuggled up against him, and Lucas was leaning down. It looked like they were kissing.


    The crowd gasped again.


    Maybe the things they said could be faked, but nobody could force them to kiss like that.


    People nced from the screen to Natasha, who stood there in silence, her facepletely expressionless.


    Even those who usually couldn’t stand her couldn’t help but feel a wave of sympathy for her.


    The girl with the baby face and the one in the yellow dress, who had spoken up for Natasha earlier, clenched their fists in anger.


    They thought, ‘That shameless jerk and homewrecker. Cheating on Natasha right in front of everyone is unbelievable!‘


    They immediately shot back with a mocking tone, “Mr. Wright is so devoted. Miss Sutton has such impable manners.”


    Their words were full of snark.