Chapter 453

Remus was already in his forties, and Jennifer was in her twenties; the former was almost two decades her senior. For his own gain, Craig had announced the engagement without so much as a warning.

Treyton was furious. Leaping to his feet, he glared at Craig who was on top of the stage.

Similarly shocked, Gwendolyn tried to pull him back down but was a second too late.

“Jennifer and I are in love, Craig. I have come tonight specifically to ask you for her hand in marriage, yet you’re betrothing her to somebody else. Besides, tonight’s the first I’m hearing of it. What is the meaning of this?”

The guests were about to applaud and congratulate them but fell silent upon sensing something awry.

The media began photographing Treyton in a mad flurry of clicks and flashes.

This man who holds the fate of the entertainment industry in his hand is dating the acclaimed actress, Jennifer. From the sound of it, their relationship hasn’t begun recently, either.

Craig chuckled in response to the solemnity the atmosphere had attained. “When did you and Jennifer start dating, Mr. Treyton? How was I not aware of that? Besides, being engaged to Mr. Abbott is what she wants.”

“What did you say?”

Treyton scowled. A frigid aura poured forth.

He refused to believe that Jennifer would agree to be Remus’ fiancée.

“Where is Jennifer? I want to see her.”

Craig met his gaze but did not answer.

Gwendolyn stood up and chimed in, “This homecoming feast is held in Jennifer’s honor, Mr. Craig. Isn’t it strange that she’s not even here? What do you have up your sleeve?”

Since the commencement of the party, a popular dance group had performed, followed by Craig taking the stage and giving a speech to announce the engagement. The sequence of events was so tightly planned that the guests did not notice a thing.

Many among the crowd gave a start of surprise at Gwendolyn’s words. As the feast is in her honor, why is she nowhere to be seen?

Craig continued smiling, unperturbed. “I was about to introduce my sister after announcing the wonderful news of her engagement, but I was interrupted by Mr. Treyton.”

Turning around, he beckoned with a finger, and Jennifer appeared at the outdoor stairs on the second floor of the villa, clad in a long gown studded with diamonds.

Her makeup looked exquisite under the spotlight. The crystal tiara perched atop her head made her look like a princess. Her eyes, however, had lost their twinkle of innocence.

Holding on to the railing, she descended the stairs slowly.

She exuded dignified elegance with every gesture, as fitting her status as an heiress.

The crowd’s gaze followed her. Treyton’s was especially scorching.

At last, she arrived on top of the stage and stood side by side with Craig, demure and obliging. She did not cast Treyton a single glance.

Treyton’s eyes tinged red. “Have you forgotten our promise, Jennifer?” he shouted at her with a tremor in his voice. “Are you really going to marry Remus?”

Only then did Jennifer look at him.

The venue was deathly silent. Every person had their gaze fixed on her in anticipation of her answer.

Her voice was level. “That’s right. I agree to be with Mr. Abbot.”

Those words caused a throbbing pain in Treyton’s chest. He struggled to breathe.

“W-Why…”

Jennifer bit her lip. She did not say another word, nor did she look at Treyton again.

Having been together for a year, Treyton knew every gesture of hers well. He could tell that something was wrong from the way she was conducting herself.

“What did you do to her, Craig? She has never looked at me with such coldness in her eyes.”

Craig smiled. “What an interesting accusation, Mr. Treyton. This is what Jennifer wants. How could I possibly force her?”

Treyton refused to believe him. He grew more and more agitated and fixed his bloodshot eyes on the stage.

Jennifer turned to her brother. “I’m not feeling well, Craig. I would like to retire to rest.”

“All right. Leave the guests to me,” Craig answered gently.

Jennifer nodded and descended the stage. A maid stepped forward immediately to help her up the stairs.

Treyton was about to give chase but Cedrick held him down by the shoulder.

“Let go of me!”

Cedrick did not loosen his grip. He was trying to stop the other from losing his head.

Gwendolyn stood up as well. “My brother is not feeling well too, Mr. Craig. Excuse us.”

“Very well.”

Gwendolyn and Cedrick stood on either side of Treyton and forced him to walk out.

The atmosphere during the ride back to Treyton’s villa was unusual.

All three of them were occupied with the events that had transpired at the party.

Gwendolyn analyzed, “Jennifer did appear to be acting a little strangely. She staggered as though she was really ill when the maid was helping her off the stage. What’s more, she did not even look at me the entire time, which was weird. I’ve known her for many years since our days at the orphanage, and she has always thought of me as a sister. I was seated beside Treyton. She could not have pretended not to see me as a stranger would.”

Treyton hung his head. In complete silence, he clenched his fists to suppress his tumultuous emotions.

“Did you notice the tiredness in her eyes in spite of how nicely she was made up, Gwenny? She looked like she hasn’t been sleeping.”

“Yes. It was weird,” Gwendolyn said thoughtfully. “As a woman of principles, she would not have so easily gotten over you after being with you all this time, Treyton. Besides, there’s no way she would have fallen for that middle-aged widower, Remus. Don’t worry about it, Treyton. We need time to get to the bottom of this and find out what happened to Jennifer tonight and if Craig had said or done anything to her.”

Treyton listened silently without expressing an opinion. He was thinking about Jennifer’s words about wanting to be with Remus.

Her proclamation reverberated in his mind. Even closing his eyes did not dispel the memory of Jennifer’s cold, dead eyes.

I don’t know what to do.

He did not remember how they had arrived at his house. With a start, he clutched Gwendolyn’s wrist.

There was desperation and plea in his bloodshot eyes.

“I want to give my fifteen percent share of Harris Group to the Newton family as an engagement gift.”

Gwendolyn sighed. “You’re not thinking rationally now to be making any decisions, Treyton. Let’s talk about this in a few days, all right?”

“How do you expect me to be rational?” Overwhelmed with remorse, he gripped her wrist tighter. Even his voice quivered. “It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have tried so recklessly to marry her. I was greedy for wanting her to regain her status as the daughter of a wealthy family so we would be compatible and nobody would dare question our relationship. I know that she craves her family’s love despite her reluctance. That was why I urged her to return to the Newton residence. Craig does not see her as his family but as a commodity for his interests. I’m convinced that he has forced her into this. It’s all my fault. I was the one who pushed her into that hell. I did this.”

His eyes were bloodshot as he tried his best not to cry.

“I’m begging you, Kiddo. Let me use my shares in Harris Group to fix this and rescue her from the Newton family.”

Gwendolyn felt her heart ache at the sight of him.

However, as the news of Jennifer’s engagement had been announced that night, his appearance at the Newton residence with his shares on the following day would be meaningless to change the situation.

Furthermore, the engagement party was two weeks away. She decided that it was more important to find out what happened to Jennifer and think of a way to see her.

“The shares won’t change a thing, Treyton. Calm yourself. You’re not thinking straight right now, and any solution you come up with would not be wise.”

Treyton gaped at her. “Could you remain calm if this happened to you? Me taking my fifteen percent does not affect your share. Why wouldn’t you agree? Besides, we have both seen what Craig has done to her tonight. How could I watch her get engaged to Remus?”