Third Person's POV
Brother and sister getting engaged?
This is a shocking scandal!
From a public ethics standpoint, it clearly crosses the moral line.
If it were an ordinary family, it might not draw much attention.
But Blake was different. Chavez Group was an international corporation, under the spotlight.
The atmosphere grew tense as all eyes, filled with shock and doubt, turned to Blake and Catherine, who had just stepped down from the stage.
The sudden explosive news seemed too coincidental, as if someone intentionally wanted to shatter their happiness and cause trouble for the Royal Pack.
Abigail obviously heard the whispers around her. Her face turned deathly pale, and her body trembled with fear and anxiety.
Leo, sitting beside her, had a face black as iron, his gaze cold as frost.
Blake's hand tightened around his wine glass, veins standing out on his knuckles.
His glare swept toward Richard, sending a chill down Richard's spine.
Catherine's face turned pale. She hadn't expected such an incident to occur on her big day.
Although the news was true, releasing it today was definitely malicious.
Emerson and Patricia also looked uneasy. Emerson suddenly coughed violently, his breathing labored and face ashen.
The Blake brothers and Richard immediately rushed over with concern.
"Grandpa, are you alright?" Blake asked softly.
Patricia gently patted Emerson's chest. After a long moment, Emerson managed to catch his breath but remained unable to speak due to chest tightness.
Blake instructed his assistant, "Quickly get a doctor here and send Emerson home."
The assistant responded, and two nurses along with a doctor hurried over. Emerson, breathing rapidly with a flushed face, was escorted away from the scene.
Patricia said with a heavy heart, "Which bastard released this news at this time? It's inhumane!"
Richard's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank. Watching Patricia's anger, he felt a moment of regret.
Blake said, "Grandma, I'll find out who's behind this, and I'll make them pay."
"Blake, no matter what, suppress this. Today's engagement party must not be ruined," Patricia instructed before leaving hurriedly to tend to Emerson.
Blake watched Patricia leave, his expression turning cold as ice.
Nearly a hundred tables of guests in the hall held their breath, eager to see how the poised Royal heir would handle the situation.
Although Catherine and Blake had no blood ties, they were nominally siblings.
Catherine stood by Blake with the two children, who, though bewildered, sensed the abnormal atmosphere.
Abigail sat with her head bowed, her expression pained and helpless.
Leo glared at Richard, wishing he could smash his face in.
Richard shrugged. "What a pity, such a lovely banquet ruined."
Blake sneered. "Indeed a pity, but someone's scheme is about to fail." He gently grasped Catherine's arm in silent comfort.
Just as Blake was about to take the stage to explain, Abigail suddenly strode up and took the microphone from his hand.
Her gaze, gentle yet tearful, swept across the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know you've received news about my marriage to Halsey. Please don't view Blake and Catherine with suspicion. Their relationship is legitimate. Halsey and I are already divorced. Please show your blessings to them."
Abigail's statement restored calm to the scene.
The guests, anticipating a drama, found it was just a false alarm.
Richard and Nick's faces instantly froze. Richard gripped his wine glass, his eyes flashing with cold light and self-mockery.
Nick silently cursed himself. He had only told Richard that Catherine was Halsey's daughter but hadn't investigated Halsey's relationship with Abigail.
"It seems all our plans have come to naught," Richard remarked, swirling his whiskey glass, the words drifting toward Nick.
Nick's fingers tightened suddenly. He gulped down a mouthful of bourbon, his lashes casting shadows under the chandelier.
As Abigail finished her speech and moved toward the guest seats, Catherine gazed at the lady with her hair elegantly twisted in a French twist.
She finally understood why Blake could always navigate the social scene with such ease—having a mother skilled in charity galas was indeed a blessing.
Beside the long table draped in champagne-colored satin, silver cutlery and crystal glasses clinked melodiously.
Richard, who had come to witness the commotion, now resembled a Las Vegas magician whose trick had been exposed. Amidst the guests' restrained titters, he approached the groom. "My Doberman needs walking."
Adjusting his Hermès tie, he hurried off.
Nick, left alone on the oak-carved chair, twirled his sapphire cufflinks, his gray-blue eyes fixed on Catherine's slender waist in her mermaid gown.
After Richard excused himself early to care for Emerson, Nick sat sipping his whiskey, his eyes locked on Catherine's graceful back, a wave of frustration surging within him.
If today's engagement couldn't be disrupted, they would soon legally become husband and wife.
Then, Catherine could never be his.
He thought, "No. I have to stop this!"
Leo suddenly appeared with a martini. "What are you staring at Blake's fiancée?" he asked coldly.
Nick's heart jolted. Had his feelings been so obvious?
"She's radiant today." he praised openly.
Leo sneered. "What does that have to do with you? Mind your manners."
Nick smirked. "Your tone is ruder than my gaze."