Chapter 23

Chapter 23:

As the crowd’s attention shifted, they watched Martin descend the staircase with calm composure.

Judie’s complexion turned pale at the sight of him.

Martin positioned himself beside Judie and addressed the gathering below in an apologetic tone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I must apologize for the disturbance caused by my wife. Today, I have gathered you here to formally introduce our prospective daughter-in-law, Fernanda Morgan. There was a slight miscommunication earlier between my wife and me regarding the engagement. She misunderstood and thought I declared it null, which was certainly not my intention. I trust that none of you will hold this against us. The engagement between the Harper and Morgan families will continue as planned.”

His words echoed through the room, each one striking Judie’s pride.

By making such a declaration in front of all their guests, Martin stripped Judie of her dignity.

Although his explanation appeared reasonable and attributed everything to a misunderstanding, the more astute among the audience could sense signs of internal conflict within the Harper family.

Judie’s breath quickened, her eyes filling with tears. Looking at the man she had shared over two decades with, she felt a strange chill, as if he had suddenly become a stranger, separated from her by an unbridgeable distance.

Martin motioned for a bodyguard to escort Judie away.

In a gentle voice, he said, “Judie, please take a moment to rest. We’ll discuss this further once you’ve regained your composure.”

“There’s nothing left to say,” Judie muttered, her voice trembling as she struggled to contain her emotions. Her eyes fluttered, tears clouding her vision. “I’ve made myself clear—if you choose her, then it’s over between us.”

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She spoke with quiet urgency, ensuring her words were only for him.

Yet, those sensitive to the mood could feel the tension crackling in the air.

It was clear that Judie harbored deep resentment toward Fernanda. If Fernanda became part of the Harper family, her life would undoubtedly be shadowed by strife.

Some of the guests couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Fernanda, aware of the challenges she faced as an outsider to the Morgan family. Soft murmurs and pitying glances followed her through the audience.

Robert felt a fleeting sense of relief, convinced the immediate threat had passed. He dabbed at his forehead, wiping away beads of sweat, then turned to Fernanda, voice earnest. “Fernanda, about earlier… I—” But she showed no interest in his explanation. Silently, she rose and slipped away, leaving him behind.

Robert let out a heavy sigh, watching her disappear into the crowd.

Fernanda found her way outdoors, seeking solace in the cool evening air. No sooner had she stepped onto the terrace than Bobby appeared, flashing a cheeky smile. “Hey, angel, fancy a drink tonight?”

Without looking at him, Fernanda replied curtly, “No.”

“Aw, come on, don’t be like that!” Bobby insisted, charm dripping from every word. “Stick around for a while. I haven’t properly introduced myself yet.”

He extended his hand in a formal gesture. “I’m Bobby Harper. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Fernanda stopped and turned to face him, an eyebrow arched in curiosity. “Bobby Harper?” she echoed, surprise softening her tone.

“Yes,” Bobby nodded, eyes sincere. “You’re on my family’s estate. Perhaps my cousin Cristian Reed rings a bell?”

Fernanda said nothing, and Bobby hurried on, keen to clear the air. “I genuinely just want to ask you out. No ulterior motive. I know you like my cousin, but I swear I won’t come between you two.”

“You like my cousin?” Fernanda’s brow furrowed, her gaze sharp with disdain. “Your imagination is quite wild.”

The hostility in her eyes was impossible to miss. As Fernanda turned to leave again, Bobby fell into step beside her, determined to lighten the mood. “I’m feeling great tonight, and I want to tell you why. Want to hear it?”

Bobby exclaimed, his voice triumphant, “My engagement has finally been called off. No more marrying a woman I’ve never even met!” He carefully avoided any coarse language—“bumpkin” had never suited him anyway—leaving that insult to Erika, who used it liberally when speaking of her own sister.

“Congratulations, then,” Fernanda replied, her back still turned to him.

“You agree?” Bobby’s face lit up with hope. “That makes me even more delighted.” He grinned, convinced he was one step closer to winning her over. “So, how about we celebrate my newfound freedom over drinks tonight? Please, do me the honor.”

Fernanda’s patience snapped. “Your engagement was never called off. Your father never consented to it.”

Bobby froze, disbelief etched across his features. Then he howled, “What?!”

Fernanda shrugged casually. “It’s best you talk to your father yourself.”

His face went from elation to despair in an instant. He turned and dashed toward the villa, his rapid steps echoing his turmoil. In his haste, he tripped on the lush grass, almost landing face-first.

Fernanda felt no ill will toward him. He exuded a lively charm and humor from the moment she first saw him. Yet she had never imagined him as her fiancé.

A spark of mischievous delight danced in her eyes. She could already picture his reaction when he realized the rejected fiancée and the woman he adored were one and the same. His expression would be more comical than ever.

Amused, Fernanda headed for the parking lot. As she passed a small cluster of trees, she caught the faint murmur of voices.

“Ava, please, calm down,” Erika’s voice pleaded. “There must be some other way to handle that country bumpkin.”

Ava’s bitter reply cut through the night air. “Other way? Really, Erika, what could you possibly concoct now? You think I’d fall for your tales again? Everything you say is a lie. Why on earth should I trust you this time?”

Erika’s voice broke slightly, tinged with hurt. “That woman fooled me too! I can’t believe how things turned out like this…”

Their failed scheme had inadvertently brought Fernanda into the spotlight and deepened their own divisions. Erika’s resentment towards Fernanda grew stronger.

“Come on, Ava, you know Erika was fooled as well,” Minnie intervened, her voice a soothing presence in the heated discussion. “But let’s focus on the positive—we did uncover some useful information. It’s clear that Judie holds a serious grudge against Fernanda. There’s no way she’ll accept her into the family.”

“But Martin seems to favor Fernanda,” Ava retorted, tension evident in her voice. “I don’t know what kind of charm that woman used, but she’s definitely won Martin over!”

“We can discuss this later,” Minnie suggested, trying to steer the conversation away from conflict. “Besides, Bobby doesn’t like her at all. That means your chances, Ava, are still far better than hers.” Ava vented her frustration by slamming her palm against a nearby tree trunk.

“That girl managed to secure an entrance exam for Esaham University somehow,” Erika interjected suddenly. “She’s scheduled to take the exam in just a few days.”

“What? How is that possible?” Ava’s voice rose sharply in disbelief.

Erika continued eagerly, a spark of an idea in her eyes. “Ava, doesn’t your aunt teach at Esaham University? I remember she’s involved with that exam. Maybe you could ask her to look into it?”

Ava paused, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Now I know exactly what to do. She’s made a fool out of me, and she’ll pay for it. She won’t just lose her chance with the Harpers—I’ll ensure she never sets foot in Esaham again!”

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