Chapter 516
Chapter 516:
“I saw Claudius’ post and instantly thought of you p>
“He is so mysterious… but that song — Enchanted — felt like a love letter. So romantic p>
Sandra and Richard exchanged glances, their earlier doubts completely washed away. This was real.
Then, as the chatter grew louder, Vince pushed through the crowd and approached.
Stacy saw him first. She straightened, stepping in front of Rosanna protectively, arms crossed, face hardening. She flashed a glare that could have scorched paper. “Vince? You have the nerve to show your face here after everything p>
Richard’s brow furrowed as Stacy’s words lingered in the air, his mind methodically weighing each possible outcome.
He chose silence over intervention, deliberately stepping back as Stacy’s rudeness toward Vince spiraled unchecked. The distance he created was calculated, allowing the situation to escalate further. After all, the original plan — securing Rosanna’s marriage into the Ward family — had been merely a means of social advancement. Now that Rosanna had cultivated intimacy with Claudius, Vince was nothing more than an inconvenient roadblock. If today’s confrontation drove Vince away from Rosanna permanently, Richard would savor the elegant solution — Charles remained unoffended while Richard’s true ambition inched closer to fruition.
Vince swept his gaze briefly toward Stacy, then dismissed her entirely, brushing past her as if she were smoke, moving directly to Rosanna’s side.
“You fled with Maia during the engagement celebration, and now you crawl back to Rosanna with apologies?” Stacy’s voice dripped with venom. “Or have you forgotten how Maia rejected you before everyone that day? What happened — Maia wouldn’t have you, so Rosanna becomes your consolation prize p>
Her fingers clutched Rosanna’s arm possessively as she leaned in. “Rosanna, don’t return to what shattered you. Don’t surrender so easily to his charm. Have the memories of that public humiliation faded so quickly p>
͎ = ʟᴇɢɪᴛ
Her words ignited indignation among the watching guests.
“Maia tossed him aside, and suddenly he discovers Rosanna’s worth p>
“Miss Morgan radiates beauty and carries herself with such natural grace — how could anyone consider her second to Maia? Vince clearly has abysmal judgment p>
“If I were in Miss Morgan’s shoes, I wouldn’t dignify him with a single word p>
Rosanna’s lips pressed into a thoughtful line as she gently patted Stacy’s hand. Looking up, she met Vince’s gaze with a composed smile that revealed nothing. “Vince, I’m pleased you could attend my birthday celebration p>
Stacy’s fingers dug into Rosanna’s arm as her frustration flared. “Rosanna, your mercy knows no bounds!” She stepped forward, chin tilted upward, gazing down at Vince with pure contempt. “If forgiveness is what you seek today, then let’s see you on your knees, begging for it p>
Rosanna, putting on a worried look, pretended to diffuse the tension. “Stacy, please don’t escalate this… Vince never intended to p>
“Where’s Maia?” Vince cut through her words with quiet detachment, his question hanging in the air like a dropped glass.
The crowd froze collectively, shock rippling across their faces as bewildered glances darted between guests.
Rosanna stood transfixed, her body turning to stone where she stood.
Anger surged through her veins like wildfire, yet surrounded by watchful eyes, she maintained the composure her position demanded. Only the crystalline edge in her voice betrayed her emotions. “You’re searching for Maia? If I recall correctly, she made her situation abundantly clear during your last encounter — she wears another man’s ring now. Vince, must you cling to what’s beyond your reach p>
Fury blazed in Stacy’s eyes as she thrust an accusing finger toward Vince. “What game are you playing? Rosanna hasn’t even absolved you of your previous transgression, and rather than offer contrition, you deliberately twist the knife deeper p>