Jilted Bride 19

Chapter

19

The grand venue was in absolute chaos. Emily, standing at the center of it all, looked like a clown trapped in a circus ring surrounded by an audience that didn't bother hiding their judgment.

Some even whipped out their phones, snapping pictures without mercy. Owen, her father, was quick to rush over, draping his suit jacket around Emily's shoulders in a feeble attempt to shield her from further humiliation. This party is over," he announced, his voice tight with embarrassment.

Harry summoned the security team, trying to usher the crowd out as quickly as possible. What had started as a glamorous birthday celebration had turned into a public disaster.

Just then, a server appeared, wheeling out an enormous eight-tiered cake, the words "Happy Birthday, Emily. May all your wishes come true iced across the top in pristine, elegant letters,

The birthday song played once again, but this time, the tone felt painfully ironic-a cruel echo of how things were supposed

to be.

Everland Hotel's unique circular architecture made it easy for Ophelia to observe everything from the balcony on the third floor. She sat comfortably, nibbling at a delicate pastry, watching the spectacle below with an almost imperceptible smirk. "Happy birthday, Emily, she whispered, her voice laced with amusement. She knew Emily's ploys all too well. Trying to stir rumors with my man? Did you ask for my permission?

Although Miles had supposedly rented out the entire floor for Emily's party, the unpaid bill still loomed over them.

As Owen and his family made their hasty retreat, the hotel manager hurried after them, holding out an imposing bill. "Mr. Hastings, the total for tonight comes to 310 thousand dollars. Also, 170 thousand for the roses, and 3 million for venue rental and service charges. Altogether, that's 3.71 million dollars."

"What?" Owen's face turned ashen, the bill nearly sending him into a fit of cardiac arrest. Not only had they failed to maintain. any sense of dignity, but they were facing an outrageous cost,

As she watched the Hastings family's disarray, Ophelia's smile deepened, a satisfied glint in her eyes. This is only the beginning,' she thought, savoring the small victory

wandered leisurely through the park, enjoying the night air and occasionally hopping onto one of the rides.

the crowd grew, Three, two, one... Fireworks exploded into the night sky, painting it with bursts of vibrant red, blue, and golden illuminating the world below in fleeting brilliance. Each burst seemed to pulse with life as if the stars themselves

at the spectacle. She then closed

the park,

setting off on a long, quiet walk down the empty streets. In the distance, she could faintly hear the sound of the ocean waves crashing

she walked, the narrower the road became, the soft glow of streetlights facting into

and bring water became, an odor so overpowering it would

crumbling concrete wall, half of it collapsed into rubble. Ophelia climbed up and perched herself on the edge, gazing out at the

their lights long extinguished. Along the shore

Chapter 19

fabric,

was the westside slum, the place Ophelia had called home

this area had been the heart of Dellanex's thriving coast-close to the docks

no one dared to invest or even set foot. They said the materials used to reclaim the land were poisonous, leaving the land contaminated and unfit for development. No one dared to return, and over time, it had morphed into the

neglected, squalid corner. Just across the way, skyscrapers gleamed with light, standing tall against the night, while here, everything was consumed by darkness and dampness. The stark contrast made the

and unwrapped a piece of candy, popping it into her mouth.

to the family, making her the elder sister-at least, in title. Heather made it clear that

she had been thrilled to know her own birthday finally, but it

All anyone cared about was that it was Emily's day. Gifts piled up for her, while Ophelia waited in

let yourself down. Don't let him down... The bitterness in her heart mingled with the sharp taste of beer as she took

she was still sober. Ophelia could hold her liquor better than most, but now, her thoughts drifted back to Gabrielle-the

had never seen the sun, she could've been content in the darkness. If she had never known love, perhaps she wouldn't have spent her last life yearning for it. Blood

She shoved the rest of the candy into her mouth, thinking bitterly. "Why doesn't it taste as sweet

worried it'll rot your teeth?"

face of Kenneth emerging from the shadows, the moonlight casting a soft glow around him, making

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