Chapter 156 Very Bad
ANNA'S POV
“Anna.”
Ryan’s voice suddenly came from beside me.
The sound of my name pulled me out of my thoughts almost immediately. I turned my head slightly and looked at him, my eyes meeting his calm expression. For a brief second, the noise around us faded into the background, even though the atmosphere inside the venue was still tense from everything that had just happened.
Before Isabel came in earlier, Ryan had told me he needed to make an important call at the back. At the time, I didn’t question it much. In fact, it made sense. He had also mentioned that he wanted to give my family and me some space before finally showing himself to Isabel.
Thinking about it now, that was actually a good decision.
If he had stayed beside me the entire time, things might have become even more complicated. At least this way, I was able to observe Isabel properly. I could study her reactions, her words, the way she behaved around everyone. I wanted to know if she had truly changed… or if this was just another one of her acts.
Because if there was one thing I had learned about Isabel, it was that she could be very convincing when she wanted to be.
And honestly, I needed to know whether revealing that Ryan and I were dating would become an even bigger disaster.
But now, all that didn’t even matter anymore.
Right now, the situation in front of us had already spiraled into something completely unexpected.
Melissa had somehow managed to grab the attention of more than seventy percent of almost all our guests. People were whispering, turning their heads, watching the drama unfold like it was some kind of live entertainment.
This was bad.
Very bad.
This wasn’t just some small gathering where something like this could be ignored. This ceremony involved important guests, business partners, investors, and people whose opinions actually mattered.
If things continued like this, it could affect the business in a terrible way.
And that was the last thing I wanted.
“I’ve called the inspector,” Ryan said calmly beside me. “He’s already sent his men down here. Leave her. Let her keep making a scene. The officers will come pick her up from here.”
The moment those words left his mouth, I noticed the exact second Melissa heard it.
Her eyes widened.
It wasn’t dramatic, but it was noticeable. Just for a few seconds, the confidence she had been displaying cracked slightly. She even took a small step backward, and for the first time since she started all this, I saw worry flash across her face.
That reaction alone told me Ryan’s words had hit their mark.
For a while, my dad had been standing nearby, watching everything quietly. I could tell he had been holding himself back from interfering too early. But now, it seemed like he had finally decided enough was enough.
“I didn’t want to step in before,” my dad said as he stepped forward, his voice firm and authoritative, “but now I have no choice. You heard the man. Officers are already on their way. So I suggest you find your way out.”
His tone made it clear that the conversation was over.
Melissa looked around briefly, as if trying to measure the situation, calculating something in her mind. The crowd had grown larger now, people clearly interested in what would happen next.
“Come on,” Dan said from beside me, gently urging me. “She’ll leave. It’s almost time for your speech. The guests are already waiting.”
I nodded slightly, but something suddenly crossed my mind.
Isabel wasn’t here.
My eyes instinctively moved around the area again.
When did she go back inside?
I tried to remember the last moment I had seen her clearly, but everything had happened so fast with Melissa causing a scene that I hadn’t really paid attention to anything else.
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
This whole place suddenly didn’t feel right.
Even though it looked like we were about to resolve the drama happening out here, something inside me kept telling me that something was off.
Still… I wasn't convinced that Melissa just came here to embarrass herself.
That didn’t make sense.
Back when we were still friends, there was one thing I knew for sure about Melissa.
She hated embarrassment.
She was extremely proud. In fact, sometimes too proud.
So seeing her act like this in front of so many people… it didn’t add up.
It felt like there was more to this situation.
Like this wasn’t the real goal.
She finally turned around and began walking away, as if she had accepted defeat. Some guests even started whispering louder, clearly satisfied that the drama was ending.
But just before she completely left, I saw something that made my stomach tighten slightly.
She smiled.
It was small.
Very small.
But I saw it clearly.
So she got embarrassed in front of everyone… and she was still smiling?
Something was definitely going on.
Ryan gently took my hand, pulling my attention away from Melissa.
“Let’s go,” he said softly.
We both began walking back into the hall together.
As soon as we stepped inside, the bright lights and decorated interior came back into full view. The music had lowered slightly, and people were beginning to return their attention to the main stage again.
But my eyes were busy searching.
I scanned the entire place, looking for Isabel.
Left side.
Right side.
Near the tables.
By the drinks.
Nothing.
I couldn’t see her anywhere.
A small frown appeared on my face.
Could she have gone to the restroom?
That was the only explanation that made sense at the moment. Because honestly, where else could she be?
Still, the uneasy feeling in my chest refused to disappear.
It was just about a few more seconds before my speech.
I needed to clear my mind.
This event had been planned for weeks. I had practiced the speech over and over again. I knew every part of it. Every pause, every word, every expression.
I had rehearsed it countless times in front of the mirror.
There was no reason for me to mess it up now.
“Just calm yourself,” Ryan said softly beside me, noticing the tension on my face. “Forget everything and focus on the main thing.”
Before I could respond, he leaned slightly and gave me a small kiss on the head.
That simple gesture helped more than he probably realized.
I let out a slow breath.
Alright.
Focus.
Just focus.
I was about to climb up the stage when suddenly—
The projector changed.
At first, it just went blank.
That alone was enough to catch everyone’s attention.
Conversations started dying down as people turned toward the large screen at the front of the hall. Even I paused mid-step, staring at it in confusion.
What was going on?
Was there something happening in the technical control room?
Maybe it was just a minor glitch.
But honestly, I was starting to feel a little frustrated.
Why were all these small problems happening today of all days?
Today was supposed to be perfect.
Everything was planned carefully.
Yet somehow, it felt like today just wasn’t my day at all.
Without saying anything, I gave Dan a small nod.
He understood immediately.
He had worked with me long enough to know what I meant without me even speaking.
He quickly moved toward the direction of the technical control room to find out what was going on and get it fixed as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the guests continued murmuring among themselves.
Some people looked curious.
Some looked confused.
Others just waited patiently.
A few minutes passed.
Then Dan came rushing back.
I could tell from his expression that something wasn’t normal.
“The technical control team said the projector is currently being controlled by someone’s phone or laptop in here,” he said.
My brows immediately frowned.
Someone took over the projector?
My mind instantly began racing with questions.
But why?
The person wasn’t part of the technical control team, so why would they want to take control of the projector system?
And more importantly…
Who would do something like that right now?
A cold realization slowly crept into my thoughts.
Do they want to sabotage this ceremony?