Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

Jilted Bride 18

Chapter 18

Miles stepped forward gracefully, giving Heather a polite nod before taking Emily's hand. Together, they made their way to the dance floor, the center of attention as they began the first dance. The room buzzed with envy as every eye in the ballroom followed their steps. "Emily, happy birthday. You look stunning tonight, Miles whispered in her ear, his hand resting gently on her slender waist. pulling her close.

"Thank you..." Emily blushed faintly, lowering her guze as she flashed a shy smile. But she kept a small distance between them, a subtle but deliberate gesture.

Miles couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them after that charity auction. Emily seemed distant, more reserved, but he couldn't tell if it was just his imagination or something deeper.

After the dance, Owen and Heather took the stage. Owen, holding a microphone, smiled warmly at the guests before thanking everyone for coming. Then, with a proud expression, he invited Emily to join them on stage.

"Emily, your mother and I have a special gift for you," Owen announced, holding up two sets of share transfer agreements Three percent of Hastings Group shares and thirty-five percent of Sungate Entertainment shares. From today on, you'll be the first in charge of Sungate Entertainment

Although Emily had already known for days what her father's gift would be, she played her role perfectly, her eyes wide with surprise as if she had just heard the news. Her expression was one of pure disbelief.

"Thank you, Daddy," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Owen's neck before turning to hug Heather. Tears welled up Emily's eyes, giving her the appearance of someone overwhelmed with emotion, though deep down, there was nothing but cold indifference. For years, she had believed she was only an adopted daughter of Owen and Heather, always insecure and on edge, especially after Ophelia was found and returned to the fold. Emily had been forced to tread carefully, fearful of her position.

in

But once she learned she was Owen's biological daughter, her feelings shifted from shock to anger, even resentment. She felt that she deserved this and more. After all, she had lived as a foster child for twenty years. She figured that this was only the beginning of what they owed her.

Down below, the other young heiresses in the crowd watched with envious eyes. While most of them were still in college, scraping by on a monthly allowance of mere tens of thousands, Emily was being handed shares in two family businesses. The jealousy was palpable. Next, Harry and Nathan stepped forward with their gifts. Harry presented her with a limited edition diamond watch, while Nathan gifted her a stunning crystal tiara. When he placed it on her head, it was like a coronation, and Emily stood there, regal, basking in the adoration.

"Emily, this is my gift to you, Miles said as he approached with a dark blue velvet box. When he opened it, the room collectively gasped-it was a five-carat pink diamond necklace.

Emily covered her mouth in astonishment, her eyes lighting up with delight. The crowd was buzzing

"Emily's so lucky, isn't she? someone whispered.

really is. With such doting parents, two loving brothers, and now a suitor

that Emily was about to enter the entertainment industry and needed to keep her relationships discreet for now, he would've claimed

and she felt as if she were floating on air. Everything about the moment felt surreal, like

as she thanked everyone for their love and support. Her eyes shone with a mixture

giant screen behind her

spread through the audience, while those on stage, including Emily, continued to talk,

them.

champagne-colored evening gown pushing open the door to a private room. Inside the room, seated in a wheelchair, was a man whose face couldn't be seen clearly. But even from the slight angle of

bodyguards appeared, each grabbing one of the woman's arms

the room.

view. To the crowd's shock, it was none other than Emily-the same

through the crowd. Emily, sensing something was terribly wrong, finally turned to look at the screen behind her. There, in full clarity, the footage played out, showing her being tossed into the fountain outside the hotel. Turn it off... Turn it off, now!" Emily's voice, usually soft and delicate, cracked into a scream, her face twisted with

screen, but it was as if the computer had been hacked-it refused to respond. The

grown Emily wore at the auction two weeks ago? And that man in the room... Could that be Kenneth?" someone in the crowd

supposed to be pursuing Emily?" another

lavish gift from Kenneth for a whopping seven million dollars," someone else added, excitement bubbling in

family. Didn't you see how Emily was kicked out of Kenneth's private room right after she walked in?" a skeptic shot back, crossing her arms in disbelief. The

surveillance cameras, played on the screen with unsettling

online earlier, this angle left no room for denial. Emily's face was perfectly visible, and

humiliating scene of her being forcibly removed. There was no escaping the truth now that there was this evidence. The clip concluded with a jarring "Happy Birthday' graphic, accompanied by a shower of animated

roared, his voice booming through the room,

forward, yanking the power cord from the screen, but it was too late. The video had already

arm around Emily and faced the crowd. "Please, don't get the wrong

keep her composure, but her attempt at a smile faltered. "That's right. My daughter.

such damning evidence, their words seemed hollow, powerless against the cold truth playing out