Even if he couldn''t have Aurora all to himself, the benefits he was gaining were far greater than before.


    With Aurora and the Chapman family''s help, his future path would be much smoother.


    Continuing this rtionship with Aurora was a positive for him.


    Besides, what was stolen was always more thrilling than what was rightfully obtained.


    An hourter, Aurora''s engagement party officially began.


    Aurora wore a chiffon gown, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked like a wless princess from a painting, her clear eyes sparkling with captivating charm.


    She appeared at the engagement party, holding McCoy''s hand.


    The handsome man and beautiful woman, buoyed by the joyous asion, looked stunning and perfectly matched.


    Aurora was noble and elegant, her beauty radiant.


    McCoy was handsome and refined, with a graceful demeanor.


    As soon as they appeared, a shower of lights, flower petals, and bubbles rained down on them.


    Outside the hall, tens of thousands of doves and balloons were released, creating a grand and magnificent scene.


    Ste had never had a wedding, and none of her close friends were married, so she had never attended one before. It was all very novel to her.


    No, that wasn''t true. She had attended the "wedding" of Haynes O''Brien and Rachel Pearce.


    However, at that time, she had been so filled with rage and humiliation, her mind in a fog, that she couldn''t remember any of the proceedings.


    She only vaguely recalled that the wedding had also been a grand affair.


    Just then, Joshua''s clean, crisp voice sounded beside her. "Star, our wedding will be even more perfect than theirs."


    Ste turned her head.


    The man''s clear eyes reflected her image, his expression so focused it was as if she were the only person in his world.


    Ste knew Joshua was striving to give her the best wedding experience possible. He was handling many of the details himself, even personally designing her wedding dress.


    Ste squeezed Joshua''s hand and said softly, "I studied design when I was learning to paint. Let me design our wedding rings."


    A wedding was for both of them; she couldn''t let Joshua do it all alone. It reminded her of the wedding she had nned all by herself, only for Rachel to take her ce. Joshua squeezed her hand back. "Okay."


    Ste watched the celebration for a while longer, then heard Joshua suddenly say, "Star."


    "What is it?" Ste asked.


    Joshua''s dark eyes were somber. "They''re here."


    At that moment, McCoy and Aurora were on stage, about to exchange engagement rings.


    Suddenly, a man''s low, hoarse voice echoed from the entrance.


    "Aurora, the three of us promised to be together forever. Why did you betray our vow?"


    The sudden voice was jarringly out of ce in the romantic and formal setting. Everyone turned to look at the entrance.


    A tall, burly man was pushing a wheelchair, slowly making his way inside.


    The man speaking appeared to be in his thirties, with handsome, well-defined features. He was quite good-looking.


    But the man in the wheelchair was terrifying, the stuff of nightmares.


    Most of his face had been destroyed by fire, covered in grotesque, twisted scars that were horrifying to look at.


    Many of the young women in the crowd screamed in fright at the sight of his face.


    "Ah! That''s so scary!"


    Seeing these two men, Aurora, who was about to exchange rings with McCoy, turned deathly pale.


    Her hand trembled, and the ring she was holding slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor.


    McCoy frowned at the neers. "Who are you? I don''t recall inviting you."


    After all, there weren''t many people


    in their circle with such disfigurements. McCoy certainly wouldn''t have invited anyone who would run the atmosphere of his engagement.


    The man pushing the wheelchair stared straight at Aurora, his eyes gleaming like a


    wolf''s, fierce and predatory.


    "Who am 12The man let out augh,


    his voice, raspy from smoke


    Stal.nex


    inhtion, sounding as sinister as a


    ghost in the quiet hall. "I''m your


    fiancée''s old me


    McCoy was stunned for a moment. He instinctively nced at Aurora and saw her


    pale face and uncontroble trembling. He instantly understood.


    Aurora had always been meticulous. She hadn''t hidden the fact that she had been assaulted in the past.


    The Chapman family had always prided itself on its excellent upbringing and moral standards, and McCoy had not looked down on Aurora because of it.


    On the contrary, McCoy had told her,


    "A woman''s virtue isn''t defined by


    her past. Aurora, you were the victim. In my eyes you are the, purest persontknow