Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

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

the western suburbs. After purchasing a ticket, she wandered leisurely through the park, enjoying the night air and occasionally hopping onto one of the rides. Soaking up the joyful atmosphere of laughter and excitement, she picked up a free balloon here and a free slice of cake

into the night sky, painting it with bursts of vibrant red, blue, and golden illuminating the world below

wide as she gazed up at the spectacle. She then closed her eyes and silently made a wish. The lights danced on her face, flickering like tiny embers

the park, it was

stopped by a convenience store, picking up a few cans of beer and a pack of candies, before setting off on a long, quiet walk down the empty streets. In the distance, she could faintly

walked, the narrower the road became, the soft glow of

the stronger the pungent smell of rotting fish and bring water became, an odor so overpowering it would make most people retch. But for Ophelia, it was a familiar scent-one she had known her whole

into rubble. Ophelia climbed

their lights long

Chapter 19

and tattered fabric, looking more

Ophelia had called home for as long

a hundred years ago, this area had been the heart of

leaving the land useless, unwanted. Eventually, it became a dumping ground, a forgotten slum where 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

a 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 reality even

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

told her she and Emily shared the same birth date after she was brought back to the family, making her the elder sister-at least, in title. Heather

years of this bitter celebration. At first, she had been thrilled to know her own birthday finally, but it soon became clear that no

was always on Emily. All anyone cared about was that it was Emily's day. Gifts piled up for her, while Ophelia waited in the shadows, sneaking a piece of cake after Emily blew out

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

but now, her

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

tightened, but she refused to cry. She shoved the rest of the candy into her mouth, thinking bitterly. "Why doesn't it

Aren't you worried it'll rot your teeth?" A voice cut through

Ophelia jolted, startled. Turning her head, she saw the impossibly handsome face of Kenneth emerging from the shadows, the moonlight casting a soft