Chapter 737
Chapter 737:
Fernanda replied, her smile broadening. “Isn’t this the sort of grand romantic gesture every woman fantasizes about? Perhaps he believes it adds a touch of romance.”
Indeed, proclaiming his relationship so publicly, under the watchful eyes of such a vast audience, was nothing short of remarkable.
Neal continued, his voice filled with earnest gratitude. “She has been my support, guiding me through countless challenges. Without her, I might have faltered along the way. She holds the most special place in my heart. Today, she’s here at this event, and I would love for her to rise, join me here, and accept my heartfelt thanks.”
The audience shifted in their seats, their eyes scanning the room in anticipation of the mystery woman. Even the overhead spotlights seemed to dance with anticipation, ready to cast their glow on her alone.
Meanwhile, Bonita squirmed uncomfortably. She was known for her shyness and fear of large gatherings, and the bravest act she had ever mustered was confessing her feelings to Neal the previous year.
“Just go,” Fernanda urged with a soft push. “He’s up there, eagerly waiting for you.”
Bonita’s heart raced with a tumultuous blend of nerves and exhilaration, her sense of control slipping away. Her body trembled, her teeth clacking like castanets in a frenzied dance, and her legs wobbled as though made of gelatin, barely holding her upright. The audience’s anticipation thickened the air as the delay stretched on. In a whirl of motion, a figure dashed through the aisle, positioned himself under the stage, and cried out to Neal, “Son, you’re incredible! Truly outstanding!”
Neal’s smile faltered, fading as quickly as it had appeared when he recognized the figure below. He froze, his face draining of color. The spotlight swung to catch the middle-aged man in its harsh glare. When Bonita saw the man’s face, her heart plummeted into her stomach.
“Fernanda,” she gasped, her fingers clenching Fernanda’s wrist in an iron grip, her voice a shaky whisper laden with shock. “That man… that’s the monster who kidnapped me!”
“Did this man just call Neal ‘son’? Is he really Neal’s father?”
“Looks like it. Just look at how thrilled he is—his son won, and now he’s on top of the world!”
𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻: gⲁ𝗅ⲛ𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀․ⅽ𝗈𝗺
“Honestly, I was hoping it was someone else. When I heard footsteps, I thought Neal’s girlfriend was here.”
“But wait… doesn’t that man seem a little familiar? Like I’ve seen him before?”
“Now that you mention it, I feel the same. He’s definitely someone I recognize from somewhere.”
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the noise. “I know who he is! He’s the one the police have been hunting!”
The murmur among the crowd shifted to a tense hush. The shout cut through the air, and everyone froze, the words hanging heavy. It was as if someone had dropped a pin in a room full of people—the sudden silence was deafening.
A cold wave of terror swept through Neal’s body. The words had sliced through the air, and he couldn’t escape the sting of their truth. At that moment, he stood at the heart of the crowd, but the attention that once seemed like a triumph now felt like an unbearable weight, stripping him raw with every second.
.
.
.