<h4>Chapter 687: The Engagement Banquet, Yan Yan’s Punishment</h4><h4><strong>Editor: </strong>Dragon Boat Trantion </h4>


    Duke Holtz, with a stern expression, went to find Euphemia, who was angrily throwing things.


    "Euphemia, the engagement ceremony cannot be canceled. You need to choose a suitable young man who matches your status and interests toplete the ceremony!"


    "I won’t!" Euphemia shook her head in refusal. "Daddy, I will only marry Mr. Qin. I won’t get engaged to any other man besides him!"


    "But as you can see, Qin Lu has escaped. Do you want the First Duke’s Mansion to be humiliated in front of everyone?"


    Duke Holtz’s only constion was that, due to the short notice and the desire to maintain secrecy, they hadn’t mentioned Qin Lu’s name on the invitations.


    So now, recing the groom wouldn’t cause an even bigger scandal.


    Euphemia pouted, wanting to continue protesting. But seeing Duke Holtz’s grim expression, she reluctantly kept quiet and didn’t press further.


    She only wanted to marry Qin Lu. If she couldn’t today, she would keep searching for him after the engagement ceremony.


    No matter what it took, she was determined to bring Qin Lu back!


    Seeing Euphemia’s reluctant agreement, Duke Holtz quickly arranged for someone to find a stand-in groom.


    At 8 PM, the engagement banquet officially began.


    To showcase the grandeur of the First Duke’s Mansion, Duke Holtz had booked the only six-star hotel in Yasuo City, with red carpetsid out extravagantly.


    Euphemia, dressed in her engagement gown, forced a smile on her face, though her eyescked any joy.


    The man brought in as a stand-in was Freeman, the son of a wealthy businessman and one of Euphemia’s admirers. He was decent-looking but nowhere near Qin Lu in stature or demeanor.


    The clothes prepared for Qin Lu didn’t fit him, so they had to hastily buy a new set to make do for the engagement.


    Freeman never imagined he would be so lucky, chosen by the First Duke’s daughter to get engaged.


    His fellow sons of wealthy businessmen were all busy congratting him.


    When Euphemia approached, they yfully said a few words and then tactfully moved aside, giving the soon-to-be-engaged couple some privacy.


    Freeman smiled, putting on what he thought was a charming expression, and said affectionately, "Euphemia, you’re here~"


    Euphemia’s eyes flickered with disdain. She took a step back and frowned. "Remember, this is just a formality, a show. Don’t even think about making it real!"


    "Your role today is to be a prop, ensuring the engagement goes smoothly. But I will never have any real rtionship with you. You’d better be sensible and cooperate. After the banquet, I’ll have my fatherpensate your family. If you get any ideas about overstepping your bounds, don’t me me for turning nasty!"


    Euphemia’s words made Freeman’s expression freeze in embarrassment.


    What a huge insult!


    Even if his family was indeed reaching above their stationpared to the First Duke’s Mansion, it was she who hade to him for the engagement!


    Turns out he was just a tool to her!


    Freeman looked at her lofty demeanor, fury zing in his heart.


    But no matter how angry and unwilling he felt, what could he do?


    To Euphemia, he was just like a dog, summoned at her whim and dismissed just as easily. She had no respect for him.


    Freeman gritted his teeth and agreed, "Don’t worry, I know what to do."


    "Good. Make sure you perform well during the ceremony and don’t embarrass me."


    With that haughty remark, Euphemia walked away, her high heels clicking.


    Freeman stared at her retreating figure, his body tense, fists clenched tightly at his sides.


    "Euphemia, one day, I’ll make you my woman!"


    This was the bluster of a spoiled yboy, unaware of his own limitations and with no real confidence behind his words.


    He knew the gap between them and could only vent his frustrations.


    However, just as he gritted his teeth and finished speaking, a voice suddenly came from behind him.


    "Do you want to have her forever, to make her your wife?"


    Freeman’s body froze. He turned around stiffly and saw a beautiful girl standing in front of him, her appearance as enchanting as a fairy.


    A look of amazement shed in his eyes.


    It was the first time he had seen such a stunningly beautiful Eastern woman.