When Deanna became the center of attention, Raphael and Emily noticed her from a distance.
Aiden and Abigail also heard the commotion.
They all walked over, with Abigail and Aiden looking somewhat embarrassed.
Emily approached Deanna, feigning enthusiasm. "Deanna, you're here! I thought you wouldn't come. I'm so happy you could attend my wedding with Raphael."
She grabbed Deanna's hand, smiling.
Deanna sneered, feeling utterly disgusted.
Especially since Raphael was standing right next to Emily.
If Emily truly cared about her, she wouldn't have taken Raphael away.
Deanna instinctively looked at him, meeting his gaze.
The handsome man stared at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions that quickly vanished.
Seeing his familiar face stirred her emotions.
Raphael greeted her, "Deanna, long time no see. Thank you for coming to our wedding."
His distant and cold tone pierced her heart.
Deanna turned her head, laughing at herself.
She thought she wouldn't feel anything for him anymore.
But hearing his words now, she found it utterly ridiculous.
For the past six years, she had held out hope for him.
She wondered if he had a good reason for what he did.
But now it was clear. Six years ago, he abandoned her without difficulty. The brutal truth hurt her feelings so much.
Unable to contain herself, she yanked her hand back forcefully.
Emily stumbled and nearly fell, but Raphael quickly caught her.
"Emily, are you okay?" he asked, looking down at her with concern.
Emily was taken aback. She forced a smile and apologized, "Sorry, Deanna. I got too excited."
Her awkward and strained smile made it seem like Deanna had bullied her.
Immediately, the guests began to murmur.
They pointed at Deanna, criticizing her for being rude and ill-mannered.
Deanna glared at Emily with disdain.
'Emily, always pretending to be innocent like before.'
Ignoring the gossip around her, Deanna crossed her arms and said bluntly, "You misunderstood. I didn't come to attend your wedding. I'm here to retrieve my mother's belongings. Once I have them, I'll leave."
With that, she coldly looked away from Emily.
Emily felt awkward and wanted to say something but held back.
Raphael sighed and squeezed Emily's hand to comfort her silently.
Deanna turned to Garrett with a cold demeanor. "Give me the items."
She treated them as they deserved in front of everyone.
Feeling humiliated, Garrett tightened his lips.
How dare she embarrass him publicly?
He scolded her, "Your sister is so happy to see you and came out to greet you. What's your attitude!"
Mia seized the opportunity and added fuel to the fire. "That's right, Deanna. It's a joyous occasion. Why rush off? Since you're here, at least have a drink."
The more magnanimous they appeared, the worse it was for Deanna.
Deanna remained silent, unwilling to respond to Mia. She insisted, "Give me the items."
Emily glanced at the murmuring guests and smiled sinisterly before putting on a sad expression. She spoke pitifully, "Deanna, are you still not over Raphael? I know today is our wedding day, and you're upset. But it's been so long. Raphael has finally moved on. Can you bless us?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice choked with emotion, evoking sympathy.
As an actress, acting was a piece of cake for her.
Without waiting for Deanna's response, Emily continued, "All these years you've been away, I've been worried about you. I've begged Dad many times to let you come back. Now that you're back, why not stay?"
She smiled through her tears, playing the role of a self-sacrificing and understanding person perfectly.
Raphael couldn't bear it and pulled her into his arms. "Emily..."
He glared at Deanna, standing united with Emily.
Deanna watched coldly as Emily put on an act.
Her acting skills had become increasingly refined.
Emily's words subtly suggested that Deanna had done something disgraceful in the past and wronged Raphael.
She deliberately smeared Deanna's reputation while portraying herself as kind and considerate.
What a tactic!
Deanna could imagine how everyone viewed her now.
She looked around and saw that everyone indeed looked at her with disgust.
"Does someone like her deserve to be the eldest daughter of the Jones family? If I were Mr. Howard, I'd choose Miss Emily as the heiress."
A guest in the front row sneered at her.
"Miss Emily is so gentle, unlike Deanna, who's like a shrew." A loud-voiced woman mocked her without fear of being overheard.
The public tore into Deanna.
"Congratulations to Mr. Howard for escaping misery. Marrying her would have been a family disaster." A young man exaggeratedly pretended to vomit.
Taking in all the malice around her, Deanna glared hatefully at Emily, Garrett, and Mia.
Her blood relatives really knew how to humiliate her deeply!