Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After a knock, Florence popped in. “Hey Stephie, they’re kicking off the party. You set?”

Stephanie spotted Florence’s plumped lip and knew she’d been right all along. Before, she would’ve taken D**s’s words at face value, but not anymore. “Yeah, I’m good,” she said with a smile.

As Stephanie stood, Florence’s eyes darted to her dress change. “Uh, new outfit, Stephie?”

Stephanie was slaying it in a white lace dress and shiny silver flats, her hair tumbling in soft waves. With minimal makeup, she was positively glowing “What do you think?” she chuckled.

Florence mumbled, “It looks good on you. Douglas will think you look hot, for sure” But her balled up hands said she was afraid Stephanie might s**h Douglas

Stephanie gave her a reassuring pat. She certainly wasn’t about to scrap over Douglas’ wandering heart.

The p

party hall was buzzing, gossip was the main dish.

“So Stephanie snagged Mr. Douglas Fletcher? With her history?” one lady whispered.

“Right? They must be over her past, another added.

“Vincent Fletcher’s still single though,” someone pointed out. “Any takers??

“Hot guy, bad vibes,” one girl snorted. “Marry him and you’re asking for it.

“But being Mrs. Vincent Fletcher means you’re the top lady,” another added. “Talk about boss level upgrade!” a woman said.

“Eh, Vincent’s too frosty for me,” someone else shrugged off. “Not into that ice treatment.”

“If he picked me, I’d say ‘I do’ in a second. That guy’s a total babe,” another daydreamed.

“Psst, Vincent Fletcher just showed up!” someone whispered urgently.

Everyone quieted down as Vincent made his entrance with his assistant, Zane Quinlan, wheeling him in. Dressed to the nines in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, Vincent was elegance personified, leaning back in his wheelchair, sporting a cool amethyst bracelet. His legs were covered, but you could guess he was fit.

BA

The girls were sighing over Vincent’s cool factor, though it was bittersweet to see him in a chair. The guys, on the other hand, were throwing quiet digs, figuring success didn’t mean much if you couldn’t hit the gym.

Still, everyone put on a nice face for Vincent.

Vincent signaled to Zane to stop. Douglas rushed over. “What’s up, Uncle Vincent? You’re consing home?”

Vincent just nodded. “Wouldn’t miss your big day.”

Douglas caught a sly look in his eye. He knew Vincent had it rough since Vincent’s crush was getting engaged with him. “Appreciate you coming, Uncle Vincent. Show’s starting, so I’m gonna hit the stage, Douglas said and bounced.

Douglas turned and went up to the stage then the Fletcher family went to Vincent

Chapter 3

His grandmother, Ellen Hayes, spoke. “Now that Douglas is engaged, when’s your turn, Vincent? When will you start dating?”

“Indeed,” chimed in Kevin. “Harold’s second daughter’s lovely. How about a date with her tomorrow?”

The family started buzzing, but Vincent wasn’t having it. “I’ll pass,” he said, and everyone went silent.

Then, the MC stepped up. With a wave to the side door, the MC announced, “Let’s give a big round for Ms. Hayes!”

Stephanie walked up, looking so good Douglas couldn’t look away. The crowd was just staring at her, completely wowed.

Meanwhile, Florence was freaking out, her jaw clenched so hard her new veneers might c**k.

The host tried to keep things rolling. “Stephanie’s stunningly beautiful. Now for the ring exchange. Give it up for her sister, Florence, bringing the sparkle!”

Florence faked a smile, got her cool back, and strutted up with the ring boxes.

But then the big screen showed super private photos for all to see. The room exploded with chatter.

The photos caught Douglas and Florence on vacation, having fancy dinners, hugging tightly, and even some saucy bedtime snaps. There were selfies and sneaky pics, too. They looked super chummy in every single shot.

Douglas panicked. “Stop that! Turn it off right now!”

Florence went paper white and let the ring box hit the floor with a crash. “It’s not what it looks like,” she stammered, her eyes popping.

Backstage, people were trying to cut the video, but the switch wouldn’t budge.

Then it got worse. A video of Douglas and Florence in the middle of a hot h**p played on the big screen. Every groan echoed through the hall.

Douglas was all over Florence in the video. “Douglas, who’s better? Me or Stephie?” Florence asked sweetly.

“You,

for sure. I wouldn’t go near

go near her with a ten-foot pole.”

“Aren’t you about to be engaged to her? Are you gonna keep away?”

“Nah, I haven’t even touched her. She’s like a plank of wood. But you, you’re something else.”

“Then swear to me.”

“Of course. I swear, you’re the only one I love.”

“Oh, Douglas, I love you so much…”

The video turned the room into chaos, everyone throwing shade left and right.

“This lady seemed so sweet, but she’s got a wild sidel” one person said.

“No joke, acting all pure but secretly off the h**k!” another one agreed.

“Dude’s double-dipping with his girl’s sister. Talk about drama!” someone else snickered.

“Isn’t she famous, like a big deal designer and singer? This is gonna blow up!” another guest pointed out.

“I dropped big bucks for her concert tickets, and now I’m wishing I hadn’t!” someone else complained.

12:40 Sat, 25 May M

Chapter 3

“Her tunes are angelic, but those moans were wild!” another commented.

Down below, Horace looked like he wished he could vanish.

Matilda bulldozed her way toward the stage, yelling, “Cut it out! Stop it, now!”

Stephanie put on an act of utter heartbreak, s**g a couple of steps backward.

Douglas tried to smooth things over, but Stephanie wasn’t having it and slapped him hard. She trembled all over, eyes brimming with hot tears, “How could you deceive me like this? To be with my own sister, Florencel Locking at those photos, you two have been together for quite a while now! If you liked her, why did you even propose to me?”

Douglas had never been slapped before, his face now bearing the mark of five fingers. He was about to rage but seeing Stephanie crying so beautifully, he was filled with regret and annoyance. If only he’d known how pretty Stephanie was, he never would have gotten involved with Florence.

Photos could be explained as fake, but videos were undeniable. Judging from the video’s setting, it was filmed in a suburban villa. “Who could be out to

get me? Stephanie? She knew the place! Impossible, Stephanie isn’t c**g enough for such a scheme, is she?’ he mused.

But he had to get it together. He decided to calm Stephanie first. He went for her hand, “Stephie, just listen…”

She knocked his hand away. “Save y

your breath!”

Florence looked freaked. “Stephie, the photos and video are fake! Someone is trying to frame us, trying to drive a wedge between us! Douglas and I are innocent! I’m your sister; you have to believe me!”

Stephanie showed a face full of disappointment, “Flo, just yesterday you said you were jealous that I’d snagged a great guy like Douglas. I had no idea you were already together behind my back.”

Florence was crying her eyes out. “Stephie, I didn’t do it. Those pictures are fake!”

Stephanie shot Douglas a look that could freeze lava. “I’m done talking. We’re through!” She ran off the stage and clung to her grandfather’s arm, thoroughly wronged, “Grandpa, I don’t want to be engaged to Douglas anymore.”

Austin was glaring daggers at Kevin. “Your grandson sure is something-two-timing and bringing a whole world of trouble to another one of our girls!”

Kevin tried to stay cool. “Austin, I’m real sorry about all this. We will give you and Stephanie a proper resolution.”

Stephanie sniffed, holding back more tears. “How’re you gonna do that?”

Kevin nodded. “Just name any demands you have, I will grant it if it’s within my power.”

Stephanie bit her lip, and said, “Well then, how about compensates me with another fiancé?”