Chapter 3 Engagement Party

The grand ballroom of Oheka Castle glittered under crystal chandeliers, its French-inspired arches framing a sea of the world's most privileged guests.

Cecilia Martin and Ronald Donovan had chosen this fairytale setting for their engagement party.

Champagne flutes clinked, couture gowns whispered across marble floors, and yet-

No bride. No groom.

Gia smirked from her perch near the entrance, watching Rolls-Royces and Bentleys disgorge confused attendees. Her manicured fingers tightened around her clutch.

Perfect.

Ronald wasn't coming. That much she knew.

It wasn't that he was afraid-he simply couldn't show his face. Everyone in their circle knew Cecilia's reputation: fiery, unpredictable, and dangerous when crossed.

If she decided to explode in this party, she'd take everyone down with her-Ronald included.

And Cecilia? That prideful bitch would rather set herself on fire than face this crowd as the punchline of the evening.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?" Edward Martin's snarl cut through the murmurs as he stormed past waiters bearing beluga caviar.

His tie hung loose, his usual composure fraying.

George Donovan, Ronald' father, offered a strained chuckle. "Looks like Cecilia and Ronald decided to play a little joke on us,"

The guests were already seated. It was becoming painfully clear-they weren't coming.

Edward sighed heavily. "Let's go. Time to make some kind of statement before this becomes a complete disaster."

"Agreed."

The two men walked toward the ceremony platform.

Guests, previously scattered and engaged in idle chatter, began to hush as the fathers stepped up.

Edward grabbed the microphone, his smile a rictus of control. "Ladies and gentlemen," he crooned, "thank you for joining us on this unconventional celebration. It appears they have chosen to... eschew tradition!"

The room responded with a mix of polite laughter and raised eyebrows.

"Yes, Edward," George chimed in, playing along. "No need to overcomplicate things if they want to keep it simple."

The two exchanged knowing glances as the crowd relaxed into half-amused, half-curious murmurs.

The wedding march began to play in the background, barely noticeable over the hushed gossip now circling the lavish hall.

***

"Looks like Edward is about to have an aneurysm." Gia's mother whispered to her, her smirk widening.

Gia smirked at her mother's whisper, watching Edward Martin's thunderous expression as he stormed off the makeshift altar. "Oh, it's not over yet."

But before they could savor it-

Screech.

A battered car rolled up the castle drive.

The engine sputtered. The car was out of place among the Rolls-Royces and Bentleys-and even more shocking was who stepped out.

Cecilia Martin.

Gia's smile faltered. What the hell was she doing here? And-

Who the fuck is that?

She couldn't understand it. What the hell was she doing here?

She was walking in arm-in-arm with a man no one recognized. Striking, tall, and calm.

Even though their outfits were modest, the two of them looked like they belonged-like they'd walked off the pages of a modern fairytale.

Liam leaned in close to Cecilia, voice low and amused. "I think the next thing that gentelman does... is slap you."

Cecilia didn't flinch.

Across the venue, Edward's heart jolted when he spotted his daughter.

Relief washed over him for a moment-but it vanished just as fast when he realized she was holding another man's arm.

In front of hundreds of high-society guests... this looked exactly like what it was: a betrayal.

She had shown up with someone else. At her own engagement party.

Edward stormed forward, fury blazing in his eyes.

Cecilia stood tall, waiting for the slap she fully expected.

But it never came.

Instead, a firm hand caught Edward's wrist mid-air.

Liam's expression didn't waver. Calm. Steady.

"Sir. you must be Cici's father," he said with an easy smile. "Nice to meet you, sir. I suppose that makes you... my future father-in-law."

"Get lost." Edward's glare cut straight through Liam before locking back onto Cecilia.

She didn't move.

"Dad, this is my engagement party. How do we move forward without my fiancé?"

"YOUR FIANCÉ IS RONALD!" he bellowed.

"He caught the first flight out of New York this morning," she replied coolly.

"Then go marry him wherever he went!"

Cecilia's voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "You actually thought I'd marry a man WHO FUCKED MY COUSIN GIA?"

The room plunged into silence.

Every head swiveled.

Gia's face crumpled-she'd never dreamed Cecilia would air their dirty laundry in front of Manhattan's entire elite!

This wasn't some trashy tabloid scandal. These were society's crowned vipers. She had to deny it.

This would ruin her.

Gia's hands shook under the weight of a hundred judgmental stares. "You're lying!" Her voice cracked. "How dare you-"

Cecilia let out a soft, knowing laugh.

She scanned the crowd, eyes landing on a familiar face.

"Mr. Bennett," she called, raising her voice to the editor of US Weekly, "remind me to give you an exclusive after this. ON THE HOUSE."

Gasps. Quiet chuckles. Tension thick enough to cut.

Cecilia turned her gaze back to Gia and said calmly, "I'LL SEE TO IT everything ends up in print. If I'm slander you, SUE ME. I'll be waiting."

Gia froze, lips parting but no sound coming out.

That reaction was all Cecilia needed.

No further explanation. No argument. Truth speaks loudest in silence.

With grace, she looped her arm through Liam's once more, walked to the center stage, and raised a champagne glass high.

"To loyalty!"

As if the world hadn't just imploded.