Chapter 45 The Forced Engagement Party

Chapter 45 The Forced Engagement Party
Terrified, Jerry followed him without hesitation.
What happened?
——
Downstairs in the office——
A sudden, urgent knock on the door echoed.
"Your men? Are they tired of living?" Cameron's face darkened.
Frowning, Tyler stood up to open the door.
Panicked, Patrick leaned in and handed him his phone.
Tyler's icy voice rang out.
"Which hotel is it? Blow the place up."
"Mr. Tyler! Calm down!"
Tyler snapped his head toward Patrick, his emotions erupting. "Why aren't you making the arrangements?! Where's your brain?!"
"Right away!" Patrick replied immediately.
THUD!
Tyler slammed the door shut.
"Continue," he said, running both hands through his hair.
Cameron opened the file, speaking noticeably faster.
After a while, he exhaled and closed the file.
"Finished?" Tyler's voice was calm.
Cameron nodded.
Tyler turned and walked away.
——
Inside the cabin——
"What did she post on her Moments?" Tyler asked.
Patrick hurriedly handed him the phone. "This is a screenshot someone sent me."
Tyler merely glanced down at the screen before taking a sip of water.
"Did she add me to her secondary account?" he asked.
Patrick carefully watched his expression and answered honestly, "Probably. This is the main account she's used for years. Her high school classmates, college friends, and everyone else in her social circle are on it."
"She's really something else," Tyler sneered.
Patrick held his breath.
The air in the cabin seemed to freeze.
Jerry: \[Patrick! What the hell is going on?! I'm too scared to ask the boss. Tell me now!\]
\[Hurry up and tell me! I've already got the guys ready. Where are we going? Take me with you, damn it!\]
\[Patrick, you better fucking reply!\]
Patrick switched to his backup system and started chatting with Peter.
Peter: \[Are you coming to the engagement party tonight? By the way, where have you been these past few days? Wow, that goody-two-shoes getting engaged really shocked me!\]
Patrick: \[Cut it out. Someone's going to die.\]
Peter: \[Who?\]
Patrick: \[Everyone, maybe.\]
——
During the Rivera and Ward families' engagement dinner——
Raymond stood in a crisp suit, surrounded by a crowd in the banquet hall.
Several bodyguards closely followed Ellie.
She walked straight into the restroom while the others were outside.
Ellie turned on all the faucets.
The roaring sound of water instantly filled the space.
Addison stood nearby, her face dark with anger.
"What the hell is going on? What's the deal with the engagement?! Are you okay?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Ellie stood in front of the mirror, looking at the person behind her through the glass. "Forget it. Solving the problem is the priority."
"Oh, my God! How can you be so calm? Hurry up and tell me what happened! Raymond is a bastard!" Addison was practically losing her mind.
"Where is my passport?" Ellie asked.
Addison immediately pulled her passport out of her bag. "Here you are!"
Ellie quickly tucked the passport inside her shirt and continued, "My phone is with Jack—the matte white one."
"Okay, I'll take it for you." Addison glanced worriedly toward the door. "But what about those bodyguards?"
"Just do as I say." Ellie cut her off.
Addison took a deep breath. "Okay!"
——
The gala reception area was bustling with noise.
Jack held a glass of champagne, occasionally clinking glasses with passersby.
Addison approached, forcing a smile.
"Addison!" he called her name gently, his eyes visibly brightening.
"Congratulations, Jack," she said softly, tilting her head.
"It's been a long time since you called me that." Jack's expression softened.
He reached out, wanting to ruffle her hair, but paused midway.
Addison looked up, her voice dropping slightly. "Could you give me a hug?"
He took a step forward and gently pulled her into his arms.
Her hand swiftly moved along the edge of the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
Frowning, Jack warned, "Addison, don't move."
She held the embrace steady and whispered, "Why?"
"There are so many people..." His voice carried a hint of resigned hoarseness.
"All right." She released her grip and took a half-step back.
Before he could respond, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Raymond approached, teasing. "What's this? Did you manage to get a hug? Why not cuddle a little longer?"
Jack's gaze followed the direction in which Addison had left, and he smiled as if savoring the moment. "She's shy. Don't tease her."
——
The bodyguards began knocking to urge Ellie out.
Lily pushed the door open and walked in.
"The dinner is about to begin. How much longer do you plan to delay?"
Ellie calmly headed toward the banquet hall.
As she walked down the carpeted corridor, she brushed past Addison, who slipped the white phone into Ellie's hand.
"Aunt Lily! Congratulations!" Addison flashed a smile.