At the banquet hall in the grand Katie Hotel.
Wearing a long white evening gown, Grace Moore stood dumbfounded, looking at Jasper Bryne, who was only a few meters away. His white suit and matching white bow tie made him appear like a gentle, distinguished, noble prince.
It was supposed to be their engagement day. However, in his embrace at the moment, it was not her but her younger sister, Victoria Moore, who was donning a long pink dress.
“Jasper, today is our engagement banquet. What do you mean by behaving this way with her?” Grace's bright yet indifferent eyes stared unblinkingly at Jasper, determined to get an obvious answer to everyone, yet she still insisted on hearing out loud.
Jasper avoided her gaze, “Grace, I…”
“Sister, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. If I did not exist, perhaps today you could have had a successful engagement with Jasper .” Sobs choked Victoria Moore's voice.
She looked much like a frightened rabbit, crying softly with whimpering sounds while hiding in Jasper's arms. However, the implication behind her words was crystal clear: From the beginning, he chose me and not you. If he had agreed to date you before, it would have been nothing but charity to you.
“I didn’t ask you. Shut your mouth,” Grace interrupted her before she could finish. Because she spoke too loudly, Victoria, hiding in Jasper's arms, was startled, jumping slightly.
Seeing Victoria being “reprimanded” in such a manner by Grace, Jasper couldn't hold back anymore,
“Grace, I’m sorry. I can't get engaged to you. Because the one I love is
Victoria. I don't want to hurt you, but I also don’t want to lie to you. All of this has nothing to do with Victoria. She is innocent; please don't take your anger out on her.”
“Heh, she is innocent.” Grace laughed bitterly and stepped back a few steps, “Then am I not innocent? If you never loved me, why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go with me to try on the wedding outfits, prepare for the engagement, and have me wear the bride's clothes here, turning me into the world’s laughing stock?”
“I’m sorry,” Jasper hung his head guiltily.
“I’m sorry, heh.” Grace lowered her head in anguish, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes,
“So, are all these years of our relationship reduced to this? Is your apology expressing your remorse or showing me how foolish I am?"
“I'm sorry, Grace.” Jasper still only said these three words and then did not say a word more.
At this moment, Victoria no longer seemed able to stay hidden in Jasper's arms. Assuming a tragic posture, she rose to her feet, walked up to Grace, took her hand, and spoke with a tone of “sincerity.” "You can't blame Jasper for this. Sister, if you have any resentment, just vent it on me. You can hit me and scold me as long as it makes you feel better. Anyway... Anyway, I'm already used to it."
Seeing Victoria's act as if she has been greatly wronged, Grace wants to retch with disgust. But somehow, some people are completely taken in by her act.
"Victoria, don't." Jasper steps forward, embracing her by the shoulders.
"Victoria, this is my fault. I can't help my heart from loving you. If Grace wants to hit or scold someone, let her aim it at me. You are so delicate, how could you stand any of this?"
"No, I can't let you do this." Victoria turns her eyes back at him, "Jasper, I don't want you to do this for me. Love involves both of us, let us bear it together. I beg you." "I should be the one begging you, begging you not to compromise yourself like this for me."
Jasper frowns, seeing Grace, who is in a sobbing mess, he wishes he could keep her safe.
"Have you guys had enough?" The apparent love story between Victoria and Jasper is like arrows flying from all directions, piercing Grace's heart.
Unable to take it anymore, she screams, "Jasper, do you have to treat me like this?"
"Please! Don't, Sister. I know I was wrong." Victoria, as if frightened, squats down with hands over her head. "Sister, I know I was wrong. Please don't be angry. I'm really scared."
Seeing Victoria so frightened, Jasper‘s heart aches. He hurryingly squats down, embracing her and soothing lightly, "It's alright, Victoria, don't be afraid. I'm here. I will not let you get hurt ever again." At this moment, all his thoughts are on the frail person in his arms, disregarding all Grace has said.
Seeing the guests whisper while pointing at the stage, Ethan Moore can't take it anymore, he strides towards Grace and starts scolding. "Grace, have you had enough of this? How far more do you wish to push your sister? You are siblings, real sisters. What good does pushing her to death bring you?"
"Huh, Real sisters." Grace turns back to face Ethan, "Which sister shamelessly seduces her own sister's fiancé? Tell me, Mr. Moore, this product from your extra-marital affair, how can you say she is my sister?"
"Shut up!" Ethan grits his teeth and slaps her face hard, "Get out of here now! Stop disgracing yourself."
Watching Grace getting slapped, Victoria exchanges a triumphant glance with her mother. But they both wisely stay quiet. After all, since there is a free show to watch, why not just enjoy it?
Jasper sighs heavily, walking towards Grace, "Grace, stop making a fuss. Go home. Today is my engagement with Victoria; it's not quite right for you to be here. Plus, the way you dress up, it's inevitable for people to think you are overshadowing the bride-to-be. Please, go home and take some rest, okay?"
"Hmm, so he also thinks she's being unreasonable. So, when he asked her to leave, it wasn't to spare her dignity but because he was worried she would offend his new bride.
"Hahaha." Grace laughed like a mad person as she walked a few steps. The exaggerated smile grew more and more prominent until she laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face. All of a sudden, she abruptly ceased laughing. Wiping her tears with her sleeve, she shot an icy glare towards Jasper.
"Mr. Bryne, if you're worried about me sticking around you, then there's no need for you to worry. I, Grace Moore, swear that if I ever glance at you again in this lifetime, may I rip my eyeballs out and feed them to the dogs."
The moment she chillingly threw out these words, Grace turned and left the hotel without a backward glance.
She didn't notice that from the unexpected turn of events until the moment she left, a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes had been watching her every move without batting an eye. Watching her departure, a man upstairs hooked his mouth into a lazy smirk, his lips parting to murmur," Interesting..."