Your Love Is But a Dream

Chapter 89

The engagement party was doomed from the moment it started.

Martha Doodwin, supported by a younger attendant, slowly made her way onto the stage. Her piercing gaze swept over Shirley and Ivy, landing on them with an icy tinality Herlipinunded into a cold, sharp smile.

"You've certainly mastered your tricks," she began, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "First, you tried to seduce my son and failed. Now, you've taugh your daughter to sink het claws into my grandson. Like mother, like daughter-bathent from the same disgraceful cloth" "Mom!" Carlisle's voice snapped through the tension as he nished to intervene.

But the moment her steely pare tumed on him, Carlisle's bravado melted. His posture deflated, and his voice dropped into something meek.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered harshly, glancing nervously at the crowd.

He had gone to great lengths to keep the engagement a secret from the Zachman Mannt, losowing full well that his mother would disapprove. Yet somehow, she

I wouldn't come? Martha adjusted her shawl, her silver hair neatly plied into a severe bun. Her presence exuded an unyielding authority. "My grandson is supposed to

told you, you'd do what you're doing right

my grandson to marry the daughter of a woman I wouldn't even let set foot in this house. Have you forgotten the promises you made to your

of her words made him feel comered. "Mom," he hissed, keeping his voice low, "there are dozens of guests watching us right now. If

about the Zachman name, maybe you shouldn't be trying to force my grandson

control, Carlisle turned toward Katrina, who stood quietly at

"Help Mom to her

close, his words sharp and How wough for oily be to hear "When this is

to Martha's side, offering her an "You should've told me you were coming, Mom. I would've been

off with a diamassive hand. "I told any of you, I wouldn't have

finger shot out like an arrow, pointing directly

this