Chapter 588

She stood under the lights.

Like a white butterfly pinned to glass.

Its wings still trembling faintly.

But unable to fly ever again.

The microphone was clutched in her hand.

Her fingertips were ice-cold.

She opened her mouth.

Her voice sounded like shattered porcelain.

"I'm sorry."

"Tonight's engagement party... is canceled."

"I apologize to everyone."

As her words fell.

The entire hall fell deathly silent.

Three seconds later.

A wave of uproar erupted.

The guests looked at each other.

Some frowned.

Some sneered.

Some wore expressions of eager anticipation.

The more extravagant this engagement party had been.

The more ironic it felt now.

All the city's elite were here.

Prominent figures from politics and business.

They had waited a full hour.

Only for the bride to unilaterally announce the cancellation.

The groom had not shown his face from start to finish.

Not even a single word of explanation.

"Are they playing us for fools?"

"What is the Sullivan family's meaning in this?"

"That White family daughter... was she dumped?"

The whispers surged like a tide.

The media's instincts were the sharpest.

Camera flashes instantly lit up the room.

Reporters, like sharks smelling blood.

Pushed and shoved to get to the front.

"Ms. White! Just moments ago you said Mr. Sullivan was preparing a gift!"

"Is this gift the cancellation of the engagement?"

"Where is Liam Sullivan now?"

"Does he know you're here alone facing all this?"

"We heard you come from an ordinary background. How do you feel about failing to marry into a wealthy family?"

"Will you do something drastic?"

The questions grew sharper and sharper.

Like knives.

Stabbing into her heart, one after another.

Vivian Bennett stood there.

Her face as pale as paper.

She didn't know the answers either.

She wanted to ask too.

Why.

Why, at the moment of her greatest happiness.

Had he pushed her into the abyss.

Breathing became difficult.

The crowd before her eyes began to blur.

She felt she could barely stand any longer.

"Move aside!"

"Everyone, move aside!"

Sophia Miller rushed over with bodyguards.

She shoved the nearest reporter aside.

Shielding Vivian.

"No interviews!"

"The Sullivan Group will issue a statement later!"

"Please leave!"

Sophia's voice trembled.

Not from fear.

But from anger.

Seeing Vivian's devastated, lost expression.

Her heart felt wrenched tight.

Liam Sullivan.

How could you do this to her.

That torrential downpour before they left.

Her joking remark.

Had actually come true.

He really hadn't come.

Sophia took hold of Vivian's arm.

"Vivian, let's go."

"Let's leave this place."

Vivian nodded mechanically.

Her steps unsteady.

But just then.

A familiar voice rang out.

Not loud.

But it clearly pierced through all the noise.

"Don't you all want to know—"

"The real reason this engagement was canceled?"

The moment the voice fell.

The hall fell silent again.

All eyes.

Swiveled in unison toward the source of the voice.

Vivian also stopped.

She slowly turned her head.

Looking in that direction.

Her pupils contracted sharply.