Even if she married into this family, her share would be meager.


    But if it were Lucy and Fleming who got together...


    That would be an entirely different matter.


    She already had her ns, fully aware that Lucy''s feelings for Fleming were real— so as long as everything ended up as they both wanted, nothing else mattered.


    As for Esmeralda...


    Lucy''s mother let out a soundless, sardonicugh.


    How could she ever outdo her own daughter? Her schemes paled inparison.


    What chance did Esmeralda stand? Just a blunt, headstrong girl-going nowhere fast.


    Esmeralda surveyed the growing restlessness among the guests. Grady was still gripping her hand, but she made no move to break away. Instead, she stared straight at the faces of the gathered elite below.


    She couldn''t have cared less if, after today, everyone in their circle gossiped about her over dinner.


    Her voice rang out, calm and unwavering. "As you see, the groom had something more important to do and didn''t show up."


    Her eyes swept over the room.


    That''s when she noticed Alexander, lingering at the entrance, fashionablyte. He was too far for her to read the look on his face.


    Esmeralda spoke, each word deliberate, as if she were recounting someone else''s scandal. "To be honest, this event never should have taken ce. Today, I simply wanted to announce that Fleming and I are officially parting ways."


    The reaction was immediate-shocked whispers raced through the crowd.


    Even Grady''s expression was one of disbelief.


    Esmeralda''s father stood, uncharacteristically silent, for once not interrupting his daughter.


    She showed not a hint of anger-her whole demeanor was detached, as if she were a stranger to herself. "But let''s get one thing straight: the one who ducked his responsibilities and walked away from this with no ss or courage was Fleming. If an adult can''t show up or do the decent thing, there''s nothing admirable about that."


    Herment turned the tables-those who''d just beenughing at Esmeralda for getting stood up suddenly looked less smug.


    Still, a few couldn''t help muttering, “Well, he clearly didn''t want to get married. Is she just trying to save face now...?"


    Plenty of others around them seemed to agree.


    But Esmeralda had expected as much.


    She gazed out at them all and, without a second thought, let the bouquet in her hands fall to the floor.


    "This was supposed to be a business arrangement. If neither side''s heart was in it, we should have been honest from the start.


    And there''s something else


    confess Esmeralda, an


    married. I''m someone else''s wife, and my life will never again intersect with Fleming''s.”


    Her announcement sent a ripple through the room-shock spreading like wildfire, a few guests even leaping to their feet, their faces thunderstruck.


    Adrian, his phone still in his hand from just calling Fleming, was so startled that it slipped from his grip and hit the floor with a heavy tter. He sprang up, disbelief etched across his face. Every instinct screamed at him: This just got serious.


    Grady, right beside Esmeralda, could only stammer out, "What are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?"


    Esmeralda''s father and mother both stared in astonishment. "Esmeralda?"


    Only then did Elodie''s brows draw tightly together-Esmeralda was burning every bridge she had.


    Saying something like this in front of the entire wedding party made it clear: she and Fleming would never be possible, ever again.


    Esmeralda had already prepared her own exit.


    She''d known all along this wedding was inevitable. Even if she''d stayed away, her father would have


    dragged her here, none the wisemet


    about what was really going on. Since there was no exining her way out, she''d decided to flip the table herself. Once it was said in public, everyone would see she was serious-not just making empty threats.


    Of course, she hadn''t actually married anyone.


    It was all a ruse-a stopgap just to get through today. Finding someone trustworthy to fake a marriage at a moment''s notice was nearly impossible, and she only needed a story convincing enoug


    ts get here%


    through this chaos. Nobody would think to check if she was telling the truth.


    Her eyes flickered to one corner of the room.


    The actor she''d hired for just this moment was waiting there.


    As she nced his way, he stood up, ready to y his part.


    But just then, someone else spoke out ahead of him.


    A steady, warm voice rang over the crowd: "A man who can''t stand up for you isn''t


    worth your time, Esmeralda. What do you say would you marry me, instead?”