Chapter 171: Chapter 171

171 An Unexpected Guest

The next day, at 11 a.m.

At the banquet hall on the first floor of Empire Entertainment Center.

As a member of the Smith family, Carl gave a strict order to Isabella.

She was required to dress up and attend the engagement ceremony, to show everyone what a happy family they had.

How hypocritical and dirty! For this reason, Carl hadn’t beaten Isabella since a few days ago.

Nobody would know that under the gorgeous appearance of a nice and happy family was a monstrous father and a suffering daughter.

“Lukas, congratulations on your engagement.”

Jane held her shiny little handbag and fanned herself as she smiled at Lukas, who was standing at the door to welcome the guests. “Look at how beautiful the decorations are. You and that arrogant Rosy are meant for each other.”

Lukas could sense the sarcasm in Jane’s words, but he did not show his displeasure. Instead, he said politely, “Thank you for your blessings. Please come in.”

.....

Then, he shifted his gaze to Isabella, who was behind Jane. “Your parents are already upstairs. You should go too.”

Isabella casually nodded and went past Lukas with her head down.

“I didn’t expect you to come in this dress. You are really beautiful today.” Lukas suddenly said as they brushed past each other.

Isabella was wearing the white cheongsam with pearls that he gave her.

Isabella paused and smiled gently. “In any case, after attending your engagement ceremony, I would throw it away. If I don’t wear it today, it would be a waste.”

“Isabella.” Lukas’s eyes flickered with pain and he suddenly grabbed onto Isabella’s arm.

“Lukas. What else do you want?” Isabella asked with a bright smile.

Lukas’s lips trembled. “Isabella, Jane, let’s take a photo here. The last time we took a photo was when we were back in college.”

“No way!”

Jane hurriedly pulled Isabella from Lukas’s hands and said with a smile, “Isabella, you can’t take a photo with everyone. Photos can easily cause misunderstandings! If the media got the photo of you and Lukas, it would a tidbit. If Rosy got it, you would be accused of seducing her husband! And it would be a scandal.”

Lukas frowned. “Jane, can you...”

“Jane is right. Lukas, I don’t want to cause any trouble for you or myself.” Isabella grinned, but her look turned cold.

She then took Jane’s hand. “Let’s go, Jane. Today’s wine is free. We must enjoy it.”

“Of course.”

Jane and Isabella chatted and laughed as they left, but Lukas was lost in thought as he watched Isabella’s back.

Why couldn’t it be her? Why couldn’t she be standing by his side today?

“Lukas, what are you thinking about?”

A stern-looking middle-aged man walked over. “There will be important guests coming later. You have to be alert!”

“Yes, Uncle Arthur. Don’t worry.”

“Jayden and Zachary always like to come late,” Lukas said to the man respectfully.

The middle-aged man was Lukas’s uncle, Arthur Shaw. After the accident with Lukas and his parents, he immediately came back from abroad. Not only did he pay a high medical fee for Lukas, but he also helped Lukas to compete for company shares from other shareholders.

Therefore, Lukas was very respectful to him.

“Although this is your engagement ceremony, you have to know what today’s final goal is.”

Arthur said in a low voice, “The most important thing is to convince Jayden to provide you with financial support. Otherwise, you will never be able to fight back and take back the business that your parents worked hard for.”

“I see.”

“Also, do not forget to treat the Smiths nicely.”

Arthur patted Lukas on the shoulder, “If it wasn’t for Carl pulling the strings, Jayden might not have come to your engagement party, considering the current situation of the Shaw Group. You must seize the opportunity!”

“Yes, I will remember it.”

“Mr. Jayden, the prime minister of Thriving Bank, and Mr. Zachary, the production director of TY Entertainment Company has arrived!”

A voice came from the door, and Arthur immediately took Lukas’s arm. “They are here? Come on! Go out and welcome them!”

“Yes!”

Arthur and Lukas trotted through the courtyard and went to the gate to welcome Jayden and Zachary.

Jayden was dressed in a white suit. His charming eyes curved as he smiled and said politely, “Congratulations!”

Zachary was dressed more casually. He was wearing a set of golden casual clothes and smoky makeup. “Well, it’s quite interesting to be a guest in my Empire Entertainment Center.”

Arthur hurried forward to shake hands with them. “Thank you for coming. Please come in.”

“Not now.”

“We still have to wait for Joseph. Why don’t you entertain the other guests first? There’s no need to worry about us,” Jayden narrowed his eyes and said with a smile.

Arthur was surprised and looked at Lukas. Lukas paused and said uncertainly, “Joseph? That Mr. Joseph from the Wilson Consortium?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you send him an invitation?” Jayden asked in surprise.

“Of course! Of course, we have!”

Arthur felt flattered, “It’s just that Mr. Joseph is very busy. We didn’t expect him to come to this small engagement ceremony. It’s a great honor! I wonder if you can remind us of Mr. Joseph’s preferences so we can make some preparation in advance.”

“You don’t have to.”

Jayden narrowed his eyes. “Anyway, he is only interested in the Shaw Group.”

...

Isabella came to the second floor and was about to greet Carl and Rosa.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t have come here!”

“How can you laugh after what happened?” Jane said angrily as she walked.

“So what else can I do?”

Isabella sighed, “I can’t fight against this cruel fate. I always thought that the day Lukas kissed me was like a dream. It seemed that it really was a dream. Now it’s time for me to wake up.”

“You think too well of him. Dream? He’s scum!”

Isabella shook her head. “Forget it. Isn’t it a good thing that I have recognized his nature? You should be happy for me.”

“You are always so softhearted when it comes to Lukas!”

Jane pinched Isabella and said, “You are driving me mad!”

“Alright.”

“No matter what, today is also the day when I am completely giving up on the man I had a crush on. Can’t you say something to cheer me up? I may cry if you keep telling me off.” Isabella tried to hold back her sadness and smiled.

“Alright, I quit. Don’t cry. It’s not worth it for this kind of man!” Jane twitched her mouth in resignation.

“That’s a deal!”

Isabella revealed a smile and knocked on the door to enter the break room. When she opened the door, she found that Rosy changing into her gown.

Several rich young ladies who had been hanging out with her were around her, praising her repeatedly.

Everyone was stunned when they saw Isabella enter. Isabella was also surprised.