Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 244: A toast...

Jessica walked quietly back into the grand hall. The music had softened, and the lights glowed gently over the large crowd of guests.

Several business investors and executives mingled with each other. Discussing business deals and setting up new partnerships.

In the background, soft music floated as the MC was discussing with the manager the next show to come up.

But for Jessica, all these faded into insignificance as her sharp gaze moved across the room, observing the faces in the crowd—flattery smiles, waiting ears and plotting minds. She sighed.

Once she reached her table, she sank into her seat with poise, her expression hidden but her fingers clasped over another in contemplation of the next course of action to take.

After her confrontation with Tricia in the garden, she knew things might take a different turn at any point and with the first rumour not clarified it might be more troublesome to clarify later when another storm hits.

Tricia’s offer, her anger, and her insult were still fresh in Jessica’s mind. She knew Tricia wouldn’t take rejection lightly, especially not after being exposed in her own game. But Jessica was no longer playing defensively, she had a sense of resolution within her.

She picked up her champagne glass but didn’t drink. Instead, she scanned the faces seated at various tables.

A few notable investors, press members, and foreign dignitaries remained focused on the ongoing program, others exchanged low whispers with their associates, quietly evaluating the situation.

But Jessica noticed something else: some of the new investors had begun to step in, holding the attention of key guests, making conversation, and keeping the launch alive and steady.

That was good.

With the most pressing elements under temporary control, Jessica paused the final investment option she had in mind. Timing, after all, was everything.

She tapped her phone and made a discreet call to one of her subordinates. "Is it ready?"

"Yes, ma’am. Everything is queued. We’re waiting for your signal."

call and drafted a brief message to Ethan: "Anchor the next program, And everything about the launch should be

launch tonight will set the business in motion tomorrow while she waits for Tricia’s

caught the buzz of his phone, quietly went through the message then he looked

onto the stage,

"Thank you for being with us tonight. As part of the gala, we would like to take you on a short journey. A story. The true story of J&D Globals

hush fell over the ballroom. The projector screen lowered slowly as

and actions to lean forward and watch the scene that began rolling out as the screen flickered

with a

signs, weeds growing around. The

rooms with broken furniture and smashed equipment

life — new paint, fresh signs, engineers fixing computers, builders restoring walls,

a scene appeared with Jessica, her face concealed but her back familiar to the

and led meetings with the staff. She was not just a guest. She

offering advice, answering questions, and inspiring the

the group making it clear, it was never taken away from the parent company

alive. And over it, words

for a second longer, as if collectively holding its breath.

came back

still, her eyes forward,

pictures again, this time with renewed

away, looked pale. Her earlier confidence had

hadn’t expected this move

of the previous company’s financial records displayed and its audit certification to

his way to Jessica’s table, extending a

warm with admiration. "I look forward to our partnership and I will be