Chapter 197
Michael's voice was neither loud nor soft, but carried an undeniable authority.
Ruby's body trembled, and she instinctively hid behind Cleo.
Seeing Ruby being so useless, Cleo snorted coldly, "You ungrateful thing, I told you I was hospitalized, but you came back for this Diana instead of going to the hospital."
Hearing this, Michael's face grew even darker.
"Shouldn't you feel guilty for lying to me?"
"You're the one who doesn't care about me. You rushed back for a woman's birthday instead of visiting me in the hospital. Isn't that your fault?"
Cleo still cared about her position in Michael's heart.
Michael looked somewhat helpless. He glanced at the items in Diana's hands, slowly picked up that worn shoe, and threw it on the ground.
"Ruby, you really are lawless. Do you want me to make public everything you've done?"
"What people do always leaves traces. Don't think that just because you've covered your tracks, no one knows."
"Listen carefully. If you still want to live with dignity, go clarify things right now and cancel the engagement, or face the consequences."
Ruby's chest heaved violently with anger, but she didn't dare talk back.
Cleo's forehead veins bulged even more, "You bastard, do you even know what you're doing? What are you trying to do? Don't you care about your fiancée or me, your mother?"
Michael didn't even glance at them. He took Diana's hand and walked to the stage.
Nora had just returned from the bathroom and didn't know what had happened, but seeing them walk to the stage, she cooperated by going to the lighting technician.
Suddenly, the surrounding lights dimmed, while the stage was illuminated by a strong spotlight.
Michael and Diana appeared in the circle of light.
The handsome man and beautiful woman looked perfect together.
Michael picked up the microphone, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at the people below, "Today I want to formally introduce everyone to Diana, the love of my life."
When he spoke again, his tone was gentle as he slowly turned his body.
His hand rested on Diana's shoulder, his gaze burning as he looked at her, the brilliant light in his eyes as dazzling as stars.
"Whether you admit it or not, you are the love of my life. I'm claiming you for this lifetime. Unless death comes, nothing can separate us."
Michael's confession struck like thunder in everyone's ears.
Everyone was stunned.
And the most stunned person was Diana.
She never expected Michael to publicly confess at such an important occasion.
This was a big deal.
But the emotion in her heart was real, too.
These words brushed across her heart like feathers, warming her inside.
Just as Diana was moved to tears, Michael pulled out a necklace he had prepared from his pocket.
"Look at this. I know you're a jewelry designer, but I designed this myself. It's a couple's necklace. When the two pieces come together, they form a heart that represents my feelings."
The necklace was engraved with both their initials.
Michael personally put the necklace on Diana, then showed the one around his own neck.
"This is a matching set. You're not allowed to lose it, understand?"
Thinking of the lost necklace from before, his tone carried a warning.
Diana's eyes grew warm. She sniffled, her mind in chaos, but couldn't say a word.
Cleo was so angry that she rushed onto the stage and yanked Diana's necklace off.
The movement was too fast, catching everyone off guard.
By the time Michael reacted, Cleo had already torn the necklace from his neck and thrown it on the ground, stomping on it twice.
"Are you two crazy? Let me tell you, the only daughter-in-law I recognize in this lifetime is Ruby. Of course, if you want to disown me as your mother, suit yourself."
Cleo's eyes were red as she grabbed Ruby's hand and turned to leave.
With things turning out this way, the party couldn't continue.
Diana sat in the car, looking at Michael driving, her expression complicated.
The whole way, they were unusually silent.
Back home, Michael couldn't wait to pin her down, his tone suggestive, "Are you thinking about how to dump me?"
Diana froze.
She had been so careful to hide her thoughts. How could Michael still guess?
Or had they really reached the point of understanding each other's hearts?
Diana quickly shook her head, "Of course not. How could I be so heartless? But don't worry, I know everything you did today was both to help me out and to get rid of the engagement your family arranged. Don't worry, I won't take it to heart."
Hearing this, Michael laughed, though it was a bitter laugh.
"So in your eyes, what I said at the party wasn't sincere?"
Diana lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say.
Having experienced so much since childhood, she didn't dare easily trust men.
Especially someone like Michael.
With a complicated family and a difficult mother.
More importantly, he had a fiancée.
Diana's silence made the air around them grow cold.
Michael's tall frame pressed down, his thin lips close to her ear, "Listen carefully. Every word, every sentence I said was sincere. I never lie. You're mine, I'm yours. You can't escape me in this lifetime."
Michael's unique masculine scent washed over her.
His low, husky voice carried temptation, and more so, a warning.
The burning breath mixed with unspeakable intimacy. Diana's cheeks flushed red. Sensing Michael's hands starting to wander, she instinctively wanted to stop him, but remembering the doctor's words, she gave up struggling. Her arms wrapped around his neck, "The doctor said you should save your strength. Leave it to me."
Consider it a thank you.
Diana closed her eyes and kissed him first.
Michael's Adam's apple bobbed. Without another word, he enjoyed Diana's initiative.
The room was filled with an intimate atmosphere, and clothes were scattered on the floor.
Late at night, many people had already fallen asleep.
But Ruby couldn't sleep. She sat in a private room at a bar, drunk out of her mind.
Violet, beside her, had a red face.
Of course, her face wasn't red from drinking, but from being hit.
After all these years, Ruby was still as spoiled and willful as ever. Whenever she felt wronged or angry, she needed a punching bag to vent on.
And she was that punching bag.
Violet's carefully made-up face was already red and swollen from the beating.
In the private room, Ruby drank glass after glass, crying and laughing, "You know what? Today I was the joke in everyone's eyes. Michael actually publicly announced that Diana is the love of his life. So what am I? Am I just decoration?"
Even knowing that theirs was a business marriage and that she'd just be a decoration after marrying him, hearing it said out loud felt like each word was a slap in the face.