Chapter 115 Let It Go
Andrew's voice rang out firmly, instantly silencing most of the chatter in the banquet hall.
But Linda only smiled, utterly unmoved. "Mr. Johnson, you can't say that. The Baker family invited the Johnson family out of respect for the elders. If it weren't for Grandma's sake, your daughter? Hah, she wouldn't even get through our door! Besides, we didn't invite you here so Miss Johnson could dig up old dirt in public."
Andrew's face turned cold. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think? Do I need to remind you what kind of mess the Baker family company was in back then?"
Linda's tone stayed casual as she glanced over with a smile. "That was then. And if not for Grandma’s connections, do you really think the Johnson family would’ve grown this far over the years?”
"Grace is kind-hearted and knows her place. She saved Grandma, and now she's rightfully engaged to Alex and everyone in the city knows it!"
"But your daughter? Divorced for three years, secretly had a child, and now shows up at someone else's engagement party acting rude?"
"If word gets out, people will just say the Johnson family didn't raise their daughter right!"
Linda's words hit like needles.
The murmurs returned, louder this time.
"Linda's right. Emily's going too far—no matter what, she can't make a scene at an engagement party."
"She's probably jealous inside, seeing Mr. Baker marry someone else, so she came to stir things up."
"That illegitimate kid must be trouble. Who knows, maybe she's using the child to latch onto the Baker family!"
"I say she's still hung up on Mr. Baker and wants to use this chance to climb up..."
The gossip cut like knives, stabbing at Emily.
Andrew's face went dark as slate, his fingers trembling with anger. "You..."
"Hey, this is me and Alex's engagement party. Let's not ruin the mood." A flash of satisfaction crossed Grace's eyes before she stepped forward.
She linked arms with Linda affectionately and soothed her gently. "Don’t be upset. it's not worth hurting your health. Miss Johnson must be in a bad mood lately and spoke without thinking. I don't blame her."
Then she turned to Emily, her voice warm and polite. "Miss Johnson, I was too direct earlier and offended you and your child. I'm sorry, okay? But today is me and Alex's special day. For the elders' sake, please don’t make a scene.”
What a reasonable, gracious fiancée—she made Emily look petty in comparison.
Guests whispered around them. "No wonder Mr. Baker chose her. Miss Miller's perfect. Even after being attacked like that, she apologizes first."
"So gentle and sensible. No surprise Mrs. Linda Baker loves her."
"Yeah, only Miss Miller deserves to be Mrs. Baker!"
The harsh whispers flooded in.
Emily stayed calm, just glancing coolly at the speakers. Plenty of them had fawning looks—they were just sucking up to the Baker family.
Linda, now basking in approval, smiled in satisfaction and looked at Grace even more approvingly. "Grace gets it. Unlike some people who got kicked out and still just cause trouble."
Grace's lips curved slightly. "Miss Johnson, you heard that? The Baker family doesn't want to argue with you, so please don't..."
"Miss Miller, you'd better own up to your words."
Suddenly, a clear, upright figure approached.
The man stood steady and pulled Emily behind him protectively.
It was Matthew.
In a light gray suit, he had a jade-like air, but his voice turned cold as he looked at Grace. "Miss Miller wouldn't want those old stories brought up today, right?"
Grace's face fell instantly.
Why was he everywhere?!
Matthew scanned the crowd calmly. "Emily's not here to cause trouble or hung up on anyone. She's here because she was invited."
"Also, I wasn't planning to announce it so soon, but since Miss Miller insists on pushing matters, I'll make it official. Emmie is my girlfriend now! So please, everyone, stop the baseless speculation. Why bring up the past?"
Boom—
One sentence, and the whole room went dead silent!
Everyone stared wide-eyed, in total shock.
Emily was Matthew's girlfriend?
The two families were longtime friends, super close.
If they married someday, it'd make them even tighter.
Several guests exchanged meaningful glances.
They'd heard vague rumors.
Just didn't expect things to move this fast.
"I heard... Mr. Moore and Miss Johnson are childhood sweethearts? They actually match well."
Someone in the crowd said it first.
Andrew suddenly laughed heartily. "Matthew's always been thoughtful to my Emmie and handles things right. Our whole family likes him. So Mrs. Linda Baker and Miss Miller, mind your own business."
Grace's smile froze on her face.
She never imagined Matthew would step in now and straight-up announce Emily as his girlfriend!
It wrecked her plans completely!
Nearby, Alex stood watching, his cold eyes churning with dark waves.
The gossips shut up fast.
Mr. Baker's vibe was scary low—what was up with him?
Next second, the man strode forward on long legs. "When did you and her get together, Mr. Moore?"
His deep, icy gaze swept over.
Matthew smiled warmly. "Wasn't going to say today, but since Mr. Baker asked, I should answer—to keep rumors from hurting my girlfriend."
"Emmie and I got together two years ago. We were in Paris then." His manners were perfect, his words smooth as a breeze—no flaws.
Alex's aura grew even colder at that.
Two years ago?
Emily was already abroad by then, so...
In seconds, Grace snapped back.
She forced down her panic, covered her mouth in fake surprise. "Oh! So that's it! Matthew, why didn't you say sooner you and Miss Johnson were together? Congrats! Alex, you're happy for Miss Johnson too, right? Today’s double good news for us all."
Alex narrowed his eyes, danger brewing. "Double good news?"
Grace's heart skipped.
She felt uneasy, worried the engagement might not go smoothly.
Quickly changing tack, she raised her voice just enough. "Miss Johnson, since you're Matthew's girlfriend, then your daughter... she's Matthew's kid too, right?"
Boom.
The room went still again.