Chapter 117 What Was Heard
Emily slowly lowered her eyes.
Wasn't it true?
He had been so disgusted by this marriage that he refused to leave any trace of it.
But now, this wedding ring that should have been long forgotten was clearly on his pinky finger, hidden from everyone's view.
Emily's chest tightened, a dense dull pain spreading through her. Even her breathing paused for half a beat.
Matthew noticed something was wrong. "Emmie, what's the matter?"
Emily forced a pale smile: "Nothing, maybe just a bit tired."
"Okay, then I'll take you home to rest once this is over. I don't think this engagement party will last much longer anyway. We'll skip the party part later."
"Alright." Emily took a deep breath, pushing down the mess of feelings inside.
On stage,
the host's smile was starting to crack.
He was on the verge of tears!
What was Mr. Baker's deal here?
They didn't rehearse this part!
Alex's gaze swept coldly across the room."No need to exchange rings."
As soon as he said it, Grace's face turned deathly pale.
Her hand gripping the ring suddenly tightened: "Alex... do you... do you know what you're saying?"
Alex's tone was calm to the point of cold: "The Baker family announced that this engagement would be simple and low-key. The ceremony has gone far enough."
Then he looked at the audience: "Thank you all for coming tonight. The rest of the program is canceled, please feel free to enjoy the food."
With that, he turned and left coldly, without a moment's hesitation.
From start to finish, he didn't look at Grace again.
Grace stood frozen on stage, still clutching the diamond ring. The spotlight on her felt like pure humiliation. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she could only hold them back.
What should have been a glorious engagement party had turned her ino the biggest joke in their circle!
The other guests were in an uproar.
Voices rose in discussion.
"What's going on... Mr. Baker won't even exchange rings? This isn't an engagement, it's clearly just going through the motions!"
"No wonder he looked so upset the whole time. He clearly doesn't want to marry Miss Miller..."
"So what happens now? How do they fix this?"
"I think the one on stage is suffering the most."
Gossip flooded in like a tide.
Linda's face was ashen, yet powerless to salvage the situation.
She glared at Grace on stage, filled with frustration.
Completely useless!
She couldn't even handle a scene like this. Even if she married into the Baker family, she'd just be a useless trophy!
Below the stage.
Emily looked away, feeling nothing in particular.
She didn't want to stay another second. She turned to Andrew: "Dad, I'm heading back. I'm a bit tired."
Andrew glanced at the chaotic scene and sighed, "Alright, you go ahead. Be safe on the road. I'll say goodbye to a few business partners and head back too."
"Okay." Emily responded and quietly left through the side door.
Walking out of the grand hotel, she finally caught her breath.
The moment she left, Matthew followed her out. "Emmie!"
Emily stopped, "Matthew, why did you come out too?"
"I saw you weren't in a good mood, so I came to check. Are you going home? Let me take you."
After a moment of silence, Emily said: "Matthew, thank you for earlier. If you hadn't stepped in, I don't know how long I would have been picked on."
Matthew turned to look at her, his eyes more serious than ever: "Emmie, I'm not protecting you for a thank you."
Emily's heart skipped a beat, looking up in surprise: "Hm?"
Matthew looked at her deeply, his tone serious yet gentle: "Give me a chance, okay?"
"Wh-what?"
"I'll love Eleanor like my own daughter. I'll give you both a stable life and never let you suffer again. Will you... be willing?" His confession was gentle yet firm, but it weighed heavily on Emily's heart.
Emily froze, not knowing how to respond.
She had always seen Matthew as a brother, never thinking of him romantically.
Emily shook her head apologetically: "Matthew, you're wonderful, really wonderful. You're gentle and reliable, the kind of person everyone would want to cherish. But I... I'm not ready to start a new relationship right now. Eleanor is still young, I just want to be there for her as she grows up. You deserve better, someone who can give you their whole heart. Not someone like me... I'm sorry."
As the last words fell, the light in Matthew's eyes dimmed bit by bit.
After a long while, he smiled softly: "I knew you'd answer that way. It's fine, I was too hasty."
Emily felt a pang in her chest but could only remain silent. Some things couldn't be ambiguous—a clean rejection was the best respect she could show him.
But just then—
A cold, imposing figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
It was... Alex!
Emily's heart clenched suddenly, her whole body tensing.
She didn't know how long he'd been standing there, or how much he'd heard...
The man's aura was frighteningly oppressive, his deep eyes churning with aggression and possessiveness that was about to overflow.
The air froze, the pressure making it hard to breathe.
Matthew immediately stepped forward, shielding Emily behind him: "Mr. Baker, what a mood you're in. Done with your engagement? How come Miss Miller didn't come out with you?"
Alex scoffed: "Why so nervous?"
Matthew said nothing more, his guarded tension only increasing. "In terms of power, I really can't compare to Mr. Baker," he paused, his tone turning cold, "but Mr. Baker should know that there's no place for you by Emmie's side anymore. Why keep pushing yourself in again and again, only to invite gossip?"
His eyes darkened, "Besides, you heard what Miss Miller said today—other than causing trouble for Emmie, what can you give her?"
The moment the words fell, Alex narrowed his eyes: "That's not your concern. Moore Corp can barely take care of itself. I'd advise Mr. Moore not to touch what he shouldn't."
Matthew's usually reserved gaze turned sharp: "I should thank Mr. Baker for the opportunity. After all, if you hadn't asked for the divorce first, how could I pursue Emmie?"
As those words landed, the atmosphere grew taut.
The storm in Alex's eyes seemed ready to consume everything.
Emily stepped out from the side: "Matthew, let's go back. I'm tired."
There was no point in standing here in a standoff. It was meaningless.
"Okay, then we'll..."
"Alex, what are you doing!" Matthew suddenly snapped coldly.
Before he could reach for Emily, Alex grabbed her first!
Emily was startled too, about to struggle, but the high heels she was wearing nearly threw her off balance.
"Are you crazy? There are lots of media here today. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"