Chapter 3
Regina’s irritation hit its limit the second those words left Laurel’s mouth. She knew George was only trying to entertain Laurel, make her laugh on her big day.
But that didn’t stop the jealousy from rushing in like a tidal wave, completely out of her control.
“Oh, come on, sis, Regina said, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and feigned hurt. “It’s your wedding day. Do you really have to drag me into your jokes?
“What if someone with loose lips hears this and starts spreading gossip about me and George! That’d be a hell of a
a mess to clean up.”
Laurel’s lips twitched into a sly, almost cruel smile. ‘Gossip” she thought, amused. “You’re worried about rumors when you and George were sneaking off to the fire escape in the middle of a crowded hall
Still, she decided to hold back–for now.
Laurel leaned in close, her voice light and teasing, the way one might share a scandalous little secret. “Oh, by the way, Regina,” she said with a knowing smirk. “Mr. Waldo Carter’s here today. You remember him, don’t you!
left off
“He told me how much fun he had drinking with you at the last banquet. Said he’s looking forward to picking up where you two
Her tone was so suggestive that anyone within earshot would’ve assumed there was something shady between Regina and Waldo Carter.
Predictably, Regina’s face went pale. Her eyes darted to George, whose expression had already darkened like a brewing storm.
“What banquet? And who the hell is Waldo Carter?” George asked, his voice deceptively calm, though the tightness in his jaw betrayed his simmering anger.
“I–it’s nothing” Regina st
stammered, her voice shaky.
“Nothing?” Laurel chimed in her eyes wide with fake innocence. “Oh, George, you really don’t know? Dad brought Regina to a banquet a while back, and she and Mr. Carter-”
“Enough, Laurel Regina snapped, her voice shrill, cutting her off before she could finish.
Both George and Laurel turned to look at her–George glaring with suspicion, and Laurel smirking with triumph.
Regina, feeling trapped, blurted out the first excuse she could think of. “Laurel, George, the engagement party is about to start. Shouldn’t you go get ready?”
Laurel took a long, slow look at the two of them–Regina, visibly rattled, and George, his fury barely contained.
Regina had begged her dad to take her to a party. When she came back, she couldn’t stop bragging about how amazing Waldo was, talking about how smart and capable he was.
It was pretty obvious Waldo was trying to get her to fall for him and ditch George.
Back then, Laurel didn’t quite get it. She thought Regina had a thing for Waldo, so she secretly dug into his background.
Turned out, the guy was all smooth talk and good manners on the surface, but underneath, he was just an old perv
She even thought about telling Regina, but never found the right moment. Then she got busy making moves for George, and the whole thing slipped her mind.
But when she spotted Waldo in the lobby just now, she got a sudden idea. She didn’t expect these two to be so easy to stir up–now they were already suspicious of each other.
“So much for true love, she thought with an inward ancer. Looks like your so–called unbreakable bond is as flimsy as tissue paper!
She checked the time and feigned surprise. “Oh, shoot! The party’s starting soon. I got so caught up chatting with you two that I lost track of time. I’d better run!” she said cheerfully, strutting away toward the banquet hall.
George’s gaze followed her retreating figure, his jaw clenched so tightly it could’ve cracked. Then he turned back to Regina, his voice low and cold as ice. “After the party, you’re going to explain to me–every damn thing about Waldo Carter.”
8:16 PM c d
Chapter 3
Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned on his heel and stormed off, anger radiating from
“George, wait! It’s not what you think!” Regina called after him, practically tripping over her heels to catch up.
She finally managed to close the gap, but he immediately stepped away from her, as if her presence was toxic.
“Back off, Regina. There are too many eyes on us right now,” he said, his voice sharp enough to cut.
heal
“George” she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. She could only trail behind him from a distance, powerless to do anything else.
Meanwhile, at the top of the grand staircase, a tall, elegant figure stood in the shadows, watching everything unfold below.
Roderick Lynch idly twirled the silver lighter between his fingers, his sharp eyes following Laurel’s retreating form. A faint, amused smirk played at his lips.
“Well,” he muttered under his breath, his voice low and dripping with amusement. “This just got interesting”
The engagement ceremony began with fanfare.
The emcee, practically glowing with excitement, stepped onto the stage and boomed into the microphone. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us at the grand engagement celebration of the Lambert and Lynch families!
“And now, let’s give a warm welcome to the man of the hour–Mr. George Lynch!
ne part of
Thunderous applause erupted as George made his way to the stage. Dressed to the nines in a perfectly tailored suit, he looked every bit the Oslonia City’s most eligible bachelor,
Once he reached center stage, the emcee turned to him with a wide grin. “Before we invite our lovely bride–to–be, Mr. Lynch has something he’d like to share with everyone.”
Handing over the mic, the emcee stepped aside. George took it with a practiced, easy smile, radiating warmth and confidence as he addressed the crowd
He began, “First, let me thank all of you for being here today to celebrate this important moment with us. Before the ceremony starts, there’s something I’d like to say to the most incredible woman in my life.
“She’s beautiful, strong, and kind–the kind of person who lights up every room she walks into. She stood by me when times were tough, and she once told me something I’ll never forget: that no matter how much success or wealth I gain, the only thing she loves is the man I am.”
He paused, his voice softening with emotion. “Today, I want her to know that whether we’re rich or poor, in sickness or health, I’ll love her forever. No conditions. No limits. Just her”
The room erupted into applause again, the guests utterly captivated by George’s heartfelt words. The whispers started almost immediately.
“Oh my God, if Oslonia City’s golden boy confessed to me like that, I’d die happy,” one woman gushed.
“Miss Lambert’s so lucky! I heard George is completely whipped–he even replaced his assistant because she didn’t like her, another added, her voice dripping with envy.
“Men like him are a rare breed. Look at his brother, Roderick. Another Lynch heir, but he’s all over the news again, tangled up with that actress. Their grandfather must be losing his mind!” someone whispered, barely suppressing a laugh.
“Seriously, it’s like night and day. George is an angel, and Roderick? Total disaster, another quipped.
Meanwhile, Laurel sat quietly in the audience, her expression calm, her thoughts anything but. “What a show, she mused, her lips curling into the faintest smirk. The whole city’s eating this up like gospel
“The angel? The golden boy? Please: Her eyes darkened slightly. I can’t wait to see their faces when the mask comes off. That’ll be worth every
second of this charade.
She glanced briefly at the grand clock hanging in the hall before returning her gaze to George, who was still delivering his soul–stirring speech.
“And today” he continued, his voice steady and deliberate, I’m finally fulfilling my promise to the woman I love. Soon, we’ll celebrate our wedding -a day that will mark the beginning of our journey together. I’ll give her my name, and we’ll share every moment of our lives from this day
forward.
2/3
Chapter 3
His eyes locked onto Laurels, his smile soft and full of affection, as if every word were meant solely for her. “So, Laurel..”
But before he could finish her name, the screen behind him flickered to life. A video began to play.
room fell silent
The room
as the footage revealed none other than George and Regina together in what looked like a private room.
“George, do you love me?” Regina’s playful, teasing voice filled the hall.
“Come on, Regina. Don’t start, George replied, his tone indulgent, bordering on affectionate,
“You didn’t answer the question! Do you love me or not? slie pressed, her tone sugary sweet as she leaned closer.
In the video, Regina was perched comfortably on George’s lap. One hand held her phone, recording the entire scene, while her other arm looped around his neck.
George, lounging lazily on the couch, didn’t seem the least bit bothered by her boldness.
He never said the word “love,” but the intimacy between them was undeniable. Anyone with eyes could see it.
The murmurs started immediately, rippling through the crowd like wildfire.
“Wait a second. Isn’t he supposed to be engaged to the older Lambert sister? What’s he doing with the younger one!” someone whispered, wide- cyed.
“Seriously? It’s obvious. He’s been fooling around with the little sister behind the fiancée’s back,” another said with a smirk.
“Wow, talk about greedy. Not enough to marry one sister–he’s got his hands on both? Must be nice to be him, someone else muttered bitterly
“And here I thought George was the perfect gentleman! Turns out Ostonia’s golden boy is just another dirtbag” someone spat.
“Dirtbag is putting it lightly. Going after your fiancée’s sister? That’s downright disgusting” another hissed, her voice filled with disgust.
