?Chapter 283:


    In a tone as even as ake at dawn, she said, “Vince,e with me for a moment. I have something important to tell you — in private.”


    Vince hesitated, confusion flickering across his features. The guests exchanged nces, their expressions thick with unspoken spection.


    “Maia’s daring enough to call him away now? Is she nning to crash the engagement?”


    “Rosanna is the cherished daughter of the Morgan family. But Maia — Maia was his first love, and now she’s MCN’s chief designer. How can he possibly choose?”


    “If he actually goes with her, Rosanna’s going to lose all dignity.”


    Meanwhile, the livestream exploded with a flood ofments.


    “What the heck! What’s happening?! Does Maia still have feelings for Mr. Ward?”


    “This feels like watching a melodramatic soap opera! A woman is about to get engaged, and her boyfriend’s ex suddenly shows up to crash it?”


    “Whatever the case, Rosanna’s the one officially getting engaged. Maia’s behavior seems way out of line.”


    Vince’s gaze locked onto Maia’s poised figure, and for a moment, hesitation gnawed at him.


    But from the corner of his eye, he caught Charles shooting him a fierce re — oneden with unmistakable warning.


    Vince’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Atst, he leaned toward Maia and whispered, “Whatever it is, let’s talk after the engagement ceremony.”


    But Maia only chuckled softly, her voice light but firm. “Vince, what I have to say is crucial. If you don’te now… you may never hear it at all.”


    With that, she turned away without waiting for his answer, walking into the crowd with the poise of someone who had already made peace with the oue.


    g?lnσν???s?cóm is your escape


    Vince stood frozen, stunned by the certainty burning in Maia’s eyes. Before he knew it, his feet moved of their own ord, carrying him after her.


    Rosanna suddenly seized Vince’s arm with a firm grip. Her eyes were swollen, her voice thick with suppressed sorrow.


    “Vince, don’t leave… please stay… Today marks a milestone for us, our engagement celebration. I’m begging you, whatever the issue is, can’t it wait until after tonight?”


    She appeared delicate, frail even, stirring overwhelming sympathy. Seeing his usually obedient and understanding younger sister pleading so desperately, Jarrod felt deeply sorry for her and couldn’t hold back anymore. In a sh, he rushed to Vince’s side, his gaze dark and threatening as he warned him, “Vince, today is your engagement party with Rosanna. If you dare leave her alone, I won’t let you off easily.”


    Sandra, in a panic, rushed to intervene. “Vince, pay no attention to Maia! She’s only here to stir trouble. She’ll have her way if you really go with her.”


    Richard’s face turned frighteningly grim, but before he could utter a word, an enraged shout came from the guest of honor’s table.


    “Vince!” Gavin rose sharply, fury zing in his eyes as he jabbed a finger toward Vince. “If you so much as leave with that Maia woman today, I’ll break your legs.”


    The banquet hall froze, the air turning colder, and the audience collectively held its breath.


    Charles banged his cane against the floor violently and roared, “Don’t act recklessly, Vince!”


    Vince’s fingers clenched slightly. Logic urged him to stick to the Morgan and Ward families’ n andplete the engagement rites without incident. Yet, watching Maia’s graceful figure retreating from sight tore at his heart.


    An unshakable certainty filled him — if he didn’t chase after her now, he would lose her forever. He couldn’t bear to let that happen again.


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