Chapter 8 The Wretched Couple’s Engagement

In the following week, Claire made no contact with the Weiss family.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Armand and Chantelle’s engagement party. Many of the rich and famous in town were present for the union between the Kendalls’ and the Weiss’.

Seeing that it was about time, Liam, who was standing at the entrance welcoming guests, reminded Armand to go check on Chantelle to make sure that she was ready.

“Chantelle and her mother have had their fair share of hardships in life.” He sighed and continued earnestly, “I’m leaving my daughter in your hands. I hope you treat her well. If you ever hurt her in the least, I won’t let you off easy.”

Armand nodded solemnly and reassured, “Set your mind at ease, I’ll take good care of Chantelle. I’ll never disappoint her.”

Pleased with Armand’s assurance, Liam patted him on the shoulder. Then, as though he suddenly recalled something, he turned to glance at the entrance. “That ungrateful wench will be here too, won’t she?”

“That goes without saying.”

“She’d better not mess things up.” Liam looked aggravated. “It wasn’t an easy feat getting Mr. Marquez to show up today. We can’t afford to have a single thing go wrong. Everything must be perfect.”

Mr. Marquez, to whom Liam was referring, was in control of the economy in most regions across Arsuya and Eloupe. In fact, a majority of the distinguished figures in attendance were there because of him.

If they managed to get acquainted with Mr. Marquez, the Weiss’ and the Kendalls’ would have no problem rolling in big bucks in the future.

As the both of them were speaking, Chantelle was already done dolling up and was making her way down the stairs toward them gracefully.

She looked exceptionally fair in a bare-shouldered champagne-colored gown, and her brown hair was done up in a chignon against her nape, showing off her elegant profile. Her appearance caused quite a stir as all the guests nodded and praised the bride on how charming and exquisite she looked.

Chantelle was overjoyed, but she made sure to keep her composure as she walked up to Armand.

Liam was moved by a myriad of emotions bubbling within as he looked at the lovely couple. “I’m now entrusting my beloved daughter to you. You must treasure her well.”

Armand reached out for Chantelle’s hand and smiled as their eyes met. Then, he turned to Liam and answered him firmly, “I won’t let you down.”

At the sight of such a touching scene, one of the guests in attendance started to praise the couple, “My, my! Truly a match made in heaven! They look so sweet together.”

Just as she said that, another person quipped, “I thought the Weiss’ had an elder daughter. She hasn't been seen in public for quite a few years. But if I remember correctly, the groom should’ve been her fiancé. Am I mistaken?”

Her words triggered waves of chatter across the entire hall.

People who were in the know exchanged hushed conversations among themselves. “She’s probably too embarrassed to show up. I heard that she did something extremely shameful back then, which was why she was secretly banished abroad. Nobody knows if she’s returned yet.”

“Who knows if that’s even true?” someone else refuted mockingly in an instant. “The current Mrs. Weiss is a homewrecker, remember? Who’s to say that her daughter isn’t like her and took her stepsister’s fiancé for herself?”

In a split second, the guests churned out all sorts of speculations. Liam’ expression darkened as more and more comments were thrown around. This was Chantelle’s engagement, not a gossip fest for them to tattle about Claire’s past. There was no way he was going to let Claire be the center of discussion.

As his eyes swept across the hall in vexation, he spotted Claire entering the hall together with Ollie.

She had not made an appearance in public for the past five years, but now that she was, she still looked astounding. From her flawless looks to her elegant demeanor, it was clear that she was still deserving of her title as the number one socialite.

The only difference was that she seemed more mature now that she’d mellowed out. She exuded a unique air.

“See, I told you that the other Ms. Weiss is no ordinary person. Just her bearing alone is enough to warrant admiration.”

The guests who expressed earlier on that Claire was no match for Chantelle lowered their heads abashedly.

Liam’s expression was icy-cold. In two long strides, he approached Claire and asked in a low tone, desperately trying to keep his rage and volume in control, “What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you that you’re not allowed to bring the child?”

In his eyes, she was purposely defying him and hell-bent on wreaking havoc on the day of Chantelle’s engagement for the sole purpose of giving them a hard time. He pointed his finger at the door, face taut with anger. “Send him away right this instant, or I’ll make you regret it!”

Seeing how her father would go out of his way to shun Ollie really hurt Claire’s feelings.

She said as she picked Ollie up and threw Liam a freezing glance, “If that’s the case, why did you summon me back from so far away just to upset you? Don’t you worry, I’ll be taking my leave with Ollie now.”

Chantelle panicked when she saw Claire getting ready to leave. She quickly put on a smile and tried to persuade her to stay. “Don’t leave, Claire, Dad didn’t mean that. He spoke impulsively. He’s never once forgotten about you in the past five years.”

Holding onto her father with one hand and her fiancé with the other, Chantelle turned to Claire and smiled. “Don’t act out of spite, Claire. I’m getting engaged to Armand today. I really hope to receive your blessing.”

Claire looked on at Chantelle’s act with contempt.

She was really good at this game of showing off inconspicuously. It was obvious to Claire that Chantelle was simply showing off to her that she was doing very well and that she had replaced Claire’s position in the Weiss household.

Claire did not answer her. Instead, she turned to Liam, who was still fuming. “Well, do you want me to stay now?”

Just the sight of her was enough to irk him, so with an annoyed wave of his hand, he said unkindly, “Behave yourself and stay out of my sight!”

Claire had no intention of quarreling with him, so she led Ollie away and found seats in the corner.

The hall was bristling with excitement, but the boisterous scene before her merely left her exhausted.

She had been so cruelly banished abroad five years ago, and now, she was given no option but to return and attend Armand and Chantelle’s engagement as such a meaningless entity.

She had no idea what was going on in her father’s head.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt a splitting headache coming on. Furthermore, she had just been back for two days, so she was also suffering from jet lag. Her head hurt so terribly that she reached up to massage her temples.

“Mommy?” Ollie was quick to notice her discomfort. Leaning toward her, he carefully asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Without waiting for Claire’s answer, he ran over to a waitress and politely asked her for a glass of water.

Charmed by how adorable and well-mannered the boy was, the waitress agreed and quickly fetched him a glass of water.

Claire felt much better after having some water.

Just as the pain finally started to subside, Claire lifted her head and saw her father approaching her with another man who looked to be around 50 years of age.