Phoebe was staring at Ernest's side face with a fan-girl look at a corner of the lift. She secretly gossiped with Florence. "Flory, he's really handsome, and he was domineering when he defended for you, even I have become so eager to take your place. Why don't you strive more to avoid cancelling the marriage?"
"I hope so too." Florence tossed her hands helplessly. Ernest had kept a distance away from her the moment they entered the lift and he had become so unapproachable once more. She then understood that he was just pretending in front of the public when he defended for her and stood with her back then, since she was still his nominal fiancée this one month.
Reluctant to think of anything unrealistic any further, she digressed and asked with a low voice, "Phoebe, have you found out who that man is?" She clenched her fingers subconsciously when she mentioned him. The only way to save herself now and avoid getting caught by him was to find him out first.
Phoebe shook her head. "I can't find him, but I was informed that someone important is looking for you, and I'm afraid it's him." Florence instantly felt a chill down her spine and her hair bristled. Wouldn't that mean he would find her soon enough? "But don't worry, the surveillance cameras at the Style Hotel have broken and it's not an easy task for him to find you. You still have time to make preparations to deal with him." Florence rolled her eyes at her and secretly blamed her for not finishing her words at one go. That had scared the daylight out of her.
Phoebe clung to her and made faces at her. "Why don't you take the time to win Ernest Hawkins' heart? With him backing you up, no matter how great the man's capability is, he won't dare to lay a finger on you anymore." Florence glanced at Ernest. Although he had turned his back against her, he still looked elegant and was surrounded by a charismatic aura.
It tugged at her heartstrings, but also forbade her to come any closer. By looking at Florence's expression, Phoebe could tell what she was thinking, she then continued to persuade her, "Flory, there's no one around him and you as his fiancée has the privilege. You have a high chance. If you're not brave enough, I could get that kind of drug for you, and I promise you'll get pregnant and it would be too late for him to cancel the marriage."
Drugging Ernest? Just by thinking of it made Florence's face flushed and heart raced. That was too bold. As she grabbed Phoebe's hands and wanted her not to speak anymore, she was startled to see Ernest who was standing in front of her suddenly turned around and stared straight at her with deep eyes. She was paralyzed. Could it be he had heard what Phoebe had said just now? She covered her face with guilt and prayed to disappear from the spot.
"Come here," Ernest spoke softly. Florence's eyes wandered and she did not dare to look at him. She slowly moved towards him. "Anything…wrong?"
"We're here," Ernest spoke without any expression on his face and he went to her side, secretly bending his arm at the elbow. Slightly startled, she then realized they were going to reach the engagement hall when the lift opened its door, and there would be lots of people watching from the outside. She quickly kept away all her out-of-place thoughts and held his arm, standing there with mannerism. With a soft 'ding', the lift reached the top floor and opened its door.
Ladies were lining up at both sides of the pathway humbly with flower baskets in their hands outside the lift. The baskets were filled with pink rose petals and the path was covered with white petals. Every corner of the hall was adorned with flowers and there was a romantic and dreamy atmosphere. The engagement hall was what she had dreamt of, it was just that she did not expect herself to be able to stand in the spotlight with that kind of way. It was worth an experience anyway. She pursed her lips and let out a graceful smile, walking to the destined spot with Ernest.
The wedding banquet was organized by the Hawkins' family. It was grand and was carried out in a cautious manner. Florence felt exhausted having gone through various engagement ceremonies. Lots of people came congratulating her and toasting with her at the end of the ceremonies, and she could only gather herself to continue dealing with them. Yet there were too many guests and although she only took a small sip of the wine each at a time, she could barely withstand it any longer and her head began to whirl.
"Flory, what's wrong? Your face is really red. Have you drunk so much?" Georgia Hawkins, Ernest's grandma, who was sitting nearby sensed her abnormality and she asked with worry. The guests who were going to toast also stopped their movement. "I'm alright, granny." Florence shook her head and tried to stay awake. She did not want the progress of the banquet to be interrupted because of her. Georgia developed admiration to her and she then said to Ernest, "We'll take care of here, help Flory to somewhere to rest."
Let Ernest help her? Florence was so shocked that she instantly went clear-headed. She then hurriedly refused. "No, it's okay, I'll be fine by myself…"
"Let's go." Ernest interrupted her and was ready to leave. Although he still looked indifferent, he seemed to really want to help her. Florence was surprised that he did not decline. She then took a glance of the old lady beside and seemed to understand why. The old lady was the one who arranged the marriage and it was said that Ernest respected his granny very much. That was why he would rather pretend for the engagement to avoid disappointing her.
"Excuse me first, granny." Florence greeted Georgia courteously. She put down her wine glass and was ready to leave. Yet since she had maintained the same posture for too long while standing, her legs went numb and she lost balance as she moved, falling straight onto Ernest. Ernest did not have any intention to lend her hand and he wanted to dodge, but his movement froze when he noticed Georgia and Florence fell straight into his arms the next moment. She was instantly surrounded by the man's masculine odor and the man's domineering aura made her heart leapt. Ernest's body went slightly stiff but there was not much change in his expression. He looked down at her and rumbled, "Can you still walk?"
"…yes." Florence was a bundle of nerves. She struggled to stand straight from his arms but due to the rush of the alcoholic effect, energy was drained away from her body and not only she did not leave him, she almost clung onto him. Ernest was surprised. Countless women had tried all they could to hook up with him these years, but the only one who could move him was the woman from that night. And he did not expect the woman who was in his arms now could also do the same thing.
Having recalled she was also at the Style Hotel that night, his look became gloomier and gloomier and he carried her up, striding off the place. Florence panicked and she stared at the man's handsome face incredulously. Was she dreaming?
"Oh…"
"How romantic!"
A flurry of exclamations and teasing was heard from the surrounding. There was even the jealous and envious muttering sound of women.