The clock inched closer to six-time for the rehearsal dinner to begin. Liliana was nearly bursting with excitement, but she did her best to keep herposure, her eyes sparkling as she watched Finnian.


    Finnian, on the other hand, kept his expression unchanged throughout the evening. The only time his demeanor softened at all was when he spoke with Amara; otherwise, he remained distant and aloof.


    When Liliana looked over at him, he simply nced back with indifference, making no effort to respond.


    His coldness toward Liliana was obvious—anyone could see it. The light in her eyes faded, and she bit her lip, visibly hurt.


    But Liliana was nothing if not resilient. She understood that everything depended on these next few days. If she could make it through, once her marriage to Finnian was settled, things would work out. So she quickly pushed down her disappointment and forced a smile.


    Emma, of course, was well aware that her son was in the wrong. Seeing how mature and gracious Liliana was only made her more dissatisfied with Finnian.


    "Don''t just stand there. Go talk to Liliana. You''re marrying her-take responsibility, do you understand?" Emma walked over and whispered sternly to him.


    Finnian gave her a chilly look and replied in a low voice, "If this were a normal marriage, I''d certainly take responsibility. But don''t forget how all this came about. What exactly did you two plot that day?"


    Emma''s heart skipped a beat. Why would Finnian put it that way? Did he know about the scheme to drug him, that she and Liliana had conspired together?


    Hadn''t Liliana already exined everything and taken all the me herself? Was it possible Finnian saw through that?


    But then again, Finnian was so sharp-how could he not have figured it out?


    Emma was frustrated, wanting to say something in defense of Liliana to change her son''s view, but she was at a loss for words.


    At that moment, her assistant came over and spoke quietly, "Ma''am, it''s time for the first dance."


    With the dinner underway, Emma and Andrew, as hosts, were to open the dance floor.


    Emma nodded. "I know."


    She looked up to see Andrew already approaching-he''d clearly gotten the message as well.


    Andrew was usually a carefree yboy, always smiling around other women, yet he never managed so much as a grin for her, his own wife, which always infuriated Emma.


    But tonight was Finnian''s big night. She didn''t want to make a scene with Andrew, so she walked over and ced her hand in his outstretched palm.


    As they moved to the center of the ballroom, the guests stepped aside, giving them plenty of space.


    He ced one hand on her shoulder and the other around her waist, and together they began the evening''s first dance to the music.


    Spinning, stepping... It had been a


    long time since Emma had danced,


    but as a former


    Wye socialite v


    ded countless balls, her muscle


    attended


    memory served her well, and she


    moved with practiced ease.


    Andrew, ever the charmer, was no


    stranger to the dance floor. Their


    coordination was surprisingly.


    smooth, and to the onlookers, there was no sign of discord between them. ,


    Soon, the dance wasing to an end. By tradition, it was now Finnian''s turn to invite Liliana for a dance, and after their turn, Jenny and Ethan would take the floor for the third dance.