Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 375: Are you that sure?

After Julian’s departure and Lady Matilda’s explanation, they returned to the grand hall. With a subtle signal from Lady Matilda, the banquet began in earnest.

The MC took the stage, his deep voice echoing through the room as he welcomed the guests, the chandeliers above scattering warm golden light across the sea of elegant attire, smiling lips and expectant faces of the guests.

Donald was invited up next to deliver the opening speech to kick start the event.

He stepped forward with measured grace, his face carefully composed, though his tone carried an air of formality.

In his address, he spoke briefly and superficially about how they had lost their daughter in the years past, some of the efforts they had made towards finding her over the years and how grateful they were that this granddaughter had been "rediscovered."

In his words, "It is by providence and sheer luck that we have the opportunity of coming together today to officially welcome her back home."

He continued, his voice steady but carrying a note of authority:

"Also, by virtue of family relationship, we appeal to everyone here to treat her as a Santiago."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Donald paused briefly, regaining their attention.

"And on this note, we wish to announce that, for some time now, the office of the Vice President has been under her care. Our dear partners, business associates, and the wider society are advised to give her every respect deserved."

The moment the words left his lips, gasps rippled through the hall. While some were shocked others found themselves grappling with the reality of the announcement.

Their murmurs spreading like wild fire, their polite smiles disguising their sharp whispers as they applauded.

"Santiago’s family are really generous." Someone smirked. "Picking up any daughter to make her a Vice President?"

"Is she that great?"

"The office of the Vice President is quite a sensitive spot and the instant she returns, it becomes her playground?"

"She is really lucky."

"What about the people who had been doing the work? I believe she must have some skills for such an opportunity."

"Well, I guess I have to see this granddaughter and know if she was worth it."

By the time Donald stepped down, the guests were already craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the young woman who had stepped so effortlessly into one of the most influential positions in the Santiago Group.

While some young business elites were anxious to find out if they had a chance of marrying this Santiago’s granddaughter.

"

"

"

was ongoing, the hall bustled with activities; the clinking of glass and cutlery, the laughter and chitchat of friends, the meetings of

away, returning to her room which Lady Matilda had personally prepared

put it plainly, Jessica had been given her

the room, several

past, a reminder of how her bedroom had

clung to the air. The rich drapes hanging down the walls, the antique vases, the perfectly aligned

had only stepped out

to the Santiagos’ for this rare preservation unlike the Brown family where her name seems to be fading away by the

a while. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward to check through

wardrobe, fingers grazing

light tap on the door broke the quietness. "Who is it?" Jessica called

Yet, no response.

exchanged a quiet glance, silently exchanging communication laced with

opened it just as Cassandra was about

her smile was soft, almost disarmingly so. "Jessy," she said

hers back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scanned Cassandra from head to toe, her brow furrowing in

quietly studied her to see if she could decipher her intention and

of the most outspoken critics of her presence in the family,

this moment, if she should approach her with all smiles, then definitely she had to be

she instinctively

dripping with sincerity. "I might have treated you wrongly at first, but

stepped closer, her hand stretched to

old lady said, she wanted the peace of our family, and so

her head throb. One does not strike a smiling

of her had wished her presence would unite the Santiagos family rather than tear

gave Cassandra a long, searching glance

there is anything she hoped for as a miracle, she hoped

come, we are still family. Sometimes we disagree to

brightened.

gave a curt nod. "If there’s nothing else, I should get back

Jessica spoke seriously.

head, fingers twisting together.

wanted to say. "What more?" she asked, with