Ashton was in his forties. Melissa was in her twenties. He was way much older than her. Shane announced the engagement without warning for the sake of profit! Keith raged and stood up on the spot to glare at Shane who was on stage.
Lyra was also shocked and tried to stop it but it was too late when she reached out.
"Shane, Melissa and | are in love. And we came to you tonight to talk about getting engaged. But you let her get engaged to Ashton. You haven't said a word about it. What the hell do you mean?" The guests were about to applaud and congratulate, when they saw that the atmosphere was not right. Everyone was silent.
The flashlights surrounded him and reporters took photos of him.
The man who could control half of the entertainment industry was in a relationship with Melissa, the top actress? From what he said, the two were not recently in love.
Shane laughed slightly in the gloomy atmosphere, "When did you and Melissa fall in love? How come | didn't know? Besides, Melissa is in agreement with the engagement to Mr. Ashton tonight.” "What did you say?" Keith wrinkled his brows as the chill raged.
How could Melissa have agreed to be engaged to Ashton? He didn't believe it.
"Where's Melissa? | want to see her!" Shane met his gaze distantly and did not speak.
Lyra followed and stood up, "Mr. Shane, tonight is Melissa's return party. She is the main character, but has not appeared until now. Is it good? What are you going to do?" The party started with a singing and dancing session by the popular group, and then Shane came on stage to speak before announcing the engagement. All was arranged to distract a lot of people's attention.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen Lyra said this, many people at the scene only realized that Melissa, as the main character of the party, did not make a stunning appearing on the scene? Shane smiled while remaining calm, "I was planning to make a grand introduction to Melissa after announcing the engagement, but | was interrupted by you. So it's delayed.” He waved his fingers behind him, and Melissa appeared on the stairs outside the villa's second floor in a long, snow-white, diamond-encrusted, and noble gown.
Under the spotlight, her makeup was exquisite. With a crystal crown, she was beautiful like a little princess, but the light in her eyes was not innocent and clear as before.
She held onto the railing and slowly walked down the stairs.
Her gesture was elegant and noble, just like the true daughter of the rich family's style.
All people focused on her, and Keith looked at her with enthusiasm.
She took one step to the stage and stood side by side with Shane. Being meek and obedient, she smiled but did not even look at Keith.
Keith's eyes were red and his voice trembled slightly as he called out to her, "Melissa, do you remember the deal we made not too long ago? Did you really agree to marry Ashton in the future?" It was then that Melissa looked at him.
The scene was unbelievably quiet as everyone stared at her, waiting for her answer.
Her voice was calm, without rising or falling, "Yes, | agreed to be with Mr. Ashton.” With what she said, Keith felt suffocated and could barely breathe.
"Why..." Melissa's red lips pursed gently as she stopped talking and didn't look at Keith.
Having been together for a year, Keith knew every move she made and every look she gave. And he noticed that she was not in the right state with his sharp eyes.
"Shane, did you do something to her? She never looks at me in such a cold way." Shane laughed, "You're joking. It's my sister's choice. How could | force her?" Keith didn't believe it at all, but got emotional with his scarlet eyes fixing on the stage.
Melissa turned her head to look at Shane who was next to her, "Shane, I'm not feeling well. I'm going back to rest first." "Okay, I'll help you entertain all your guests. Don't worry." said Shane with his soft voice.
Melissa nodded her head and turned to go down the stage. A servant immediately came forward and helped her upstairs.
Keith went after her but was held down by Malcolm by his shoulder.
"Let go!" Malcolm didn't let go of his hand to stop his impending outburst.
Lyra followed and stood up, "Mr. Shane, Keith is not in a good mood today, so we'll leave first." "Okay." Keith was forcibly pulled away by Lyra and Malcolm.
The atmosphere in the car on the way back to Keith's villa was very unusual.
All three were thinking back to what had just happened at the party.
Lyra did the rational analysis of the matter, "Melissa's state is indeed a bit strange. Just now she was assisted by the servant to walk off the stage. She accidentally stumbled. She seems to be really physically unwell.” "Also, she didn't even look at me from start to finish. It is so weird. I've known her for years from the orphanage. She's always treated me like a real sister. | was sitting right next to Keith. There's no way she would just ignore me like a complete stranger.” Keith lowered his head. His fists clenched tightly, and he held back without a word.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMalcolm also said, "Rara, do you think that although her makeup is exquisite tonight, it can't cover the tiredness in her eyes, like she hasn't rested well." "Yeah, it's weird." Lyra mused thoughtfully.
"She's a girl of character. Since she's with Keith, she's not likely to move on easily. There's no way she likes Ashton. He's been widowed in middle age.” "Keith, don't rush. You have to take your time and probe the situation to see what is going on with Melissa tonight and if Shane has said or done anything to her." Keith listened quietly, not taking a position. Only the words Melissa had just said that she agreed to be with Ashton were in his head.
The words kept echoing, and Melissa's cold eyes flashed back in his mind.
His whole heart was in turmoil.
Being muddled by Lyra, he returned to the villa. Clutching Lyra's wrist, his scarlet eyes looked pleading.
"Rara, | would like to give 15% shares of the Lloyd Group in my name to the Callahan family as an engagement gift." Lyra sighed, "Keith, you're not calm enough to make any decisions right now. Let's take a couple of days to talk about these things, okay?" "How do you want me to be calm ..." He clutched her wrist so tightly. With regret, his voice trembled as he spoke.
"I was wrong. | should have married her regardless. | was too greedy, thinking that if she regains the daughter's identity, we will be matched for marriage. No one will dare to question my feelings with her behind her back. | know although she is reluctant, she wants to be loved by her family, so | encouraged her to go back to the Callahan family.
"Shane has no affection for her at all. He treats her like a commodity and calculates her value. What happened tonight, Shane must have forced her to do it. It's all my fault. | personally pushed her into the abyss of the Callahan family. I'm the one who did her wrong." His eyes were red, and his emotions were getting more and more mournful, forcing him not to cry.
"Rara, | beg you to let me take the 15% shares to make up for this and to get her out of the Callahan family." Lyra was a little distressed to see him like this.
But Melissa's engagement to Ashton was announced in public tonight, and there was no point in him going over there tomorrow with the Lloyd family shares to change any reality.
And with half a month to go before the engagement ceremony, the priority now was to find out what was wrong with Melissa and find a way to see her alone.
"Keith, the shares are not the root cause. Take it easy for a moment. Your thoughts are in turmoil. Any decision you make is irrational.” Keith looked at her in shock, "If this happens to you, will you still be calm? | take the 15% of the group's shares without harming any of your personal interests. Why don't you agree?" "Besides, how can | stand by and watch her get engaged with Ashton? You and | both saw what Shane obviously did to her tonight!" mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWLII0fiflO& 1 mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWL1i10fif10&1 mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1