Chapter 416 The Engagement is Canceled
The sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating Scarlett with a radiant glow. She neither sneered nor showed any sorrow, just looked at Kevin calmly.
Her eyes were serene and clear, outshining the light from the East.
Kevin placed the ring in his palm. The sadness and disappointment that had flashed across his face earlier had vanished, and he returned to his usual elegance. He smiled, "You and the real Scarlett are a bit different. It seems you are smarter."
After waiting for so long, he was actually complimenting her. Was it a gentleman's admiration or a deliberate evasion?
Scarlett extended her hand confidently, "People say you can't be friends after a breakup, but I think we never really dated, right? So, I hope we can continue to be friends."
Kevin did not extend his hand. Friends? That was not what he wanted.
He put the small ring away, curling it in his palm, as if his palm was the safest place in the world.
"Why?"
What he wanted to ask was, after all the time they spent together, did he really not even qualify as a lover? They had been through a lot together, dating, eating out, and such.
Scarlett understood his meaning but didn't follow his lead. Instead, she shrugged, "It's simple. One more friend means one less enemy."
Kevin maintained his previous posture, his eyes lingering on her outstretched hand for a moment before he spoke elegantly and restrained, "Don't you know that sometimes friends are the most terrifying enemies?"
Scarlett smiled, more gracefully and beautifully than the rising sun, "Would you be?"
Given his control over the Taylor family, it was hard to say.
In the end, Kevin did not shake hands with Scarlett. Instead, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "Being rejected like this is a humiliation that will take me a long time to digest. But Scarlett, do you know that in the animal kingdom, when a creature's prey is stolen by another, it will raid the other's nest to take it back?"
Kevin was indeed not simple. However, he was honest enough to directly say in front of her that he wanted to confront Sebastian, showing his determination and anger.
Scarlett withdrew her hand, "I am not your prey."
Kevin's inscrutable gaze held a depth and contemplation that Scarlett couldn't understand. He looked at her with that gaze and then said, "You're right, you are not my prey. But I am your prey. You have long captured my heart, and now you want to discard it like trash."
Scarlett suddenly clicked her tongue. His helplessness and sorrow were so real that Scarlett felt she had hurt the most affectionate Kevin.
Kevin maintained his usual demeanor, "Alright, go inside. We'll talk about our matters later. Take good care of your mother; she needs you."
With that, he turned and left the corridor.
Sunlight streamed in from the large window at the end of the hallway. He walked towards the light, and his silhouette against it. Scarlett watched his receding figure, suddenly feeling an indescribable emotion.
In that moment, she saw a soul in Kevin that was far deeper than it appeared on the surface, hiddening in the shadows and lying in wait.
"Mr. Kingsley, it's time. Should we head to the banquet now?" Dario asked.
The workday had long ended, but Sebastian was still in his office. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, a crescent moon hung among the clouds, with stars twinkling in response to the city's neon lights, creating a beautiful scene.
Sebastian stood by the window, his tall figure silhouetted against the night, imposing and unapproachable.
He sipped his coffee, bitter as it went down, "Don't be rush. Let them wait."
"Understood."
"Have all the reporters been cleared from the scene?" Sebastian asked.
"Rest assured, Mr. Kingsley, there isn't a single reporter around tonight's banquet."
"Good."
Dario glanced at his watch. Time was ticking by, but Sebastian showed no urgency. Dario didn't dare to urge him further and stood silently behind him, waiting for his response.
Sebastian had never cared much for the Turner and Kingsley family banquets. His attendance was already a courtesy; no one should expect him to be punctual.
Sebastian took another sip of coffee, tapping the cup's rim with his fingers. Wasn't it about time?
Why hadn't there been any news from Brooklyn?
According to the information provided by Brandon, Brooklyn should have known everything by now, so...
Sebastian's lips curved into a mysterious, cunning smile.
It seemed he would be a step behind her.
"Alright, let's go."
Dario was taken aback. Sebastian's decision came so suddenly!
"Yes! I'll get the car."
The black Rolls-Royce stopped outside the main entrance of the Royal Club. For tonight's gathering of the Kingsley and Turner families, the Royal Club was brightly lit, turning the place into a sea of light. The large parking lot was filled with cars belonging to the relatives of both families.
According to tradition, tonight was the pre-wedding meeting of the two families.
Sebastian stepped out of the car, adjusting a button on his black suit with one hand, his lips curling into a cold smile.
A warm-up? He preferred cooling things down.
"Mr. Kingsley, even a heavyweight shouldn't make such a grand entrance. Everyone's been waiting for you." An elder from the Kingsley family laughed heartily, with a hint of flattery in his tone.
With that shout, all eyes turned to the entrance of the hall. As the tall figure in black appeared, the crowd's drinking halted, conversations ceased, and everyone held their breath, staring at Sebastian.
Megan turned around, her eyes unblinking, all her passion focused on Sebastian. She wore a white, diamond-studded gown, dazzling and radiant. She lifted her high heels and gracefully walked up to him, speaking softly, "Sebastian, you finally came."
In the envy and well-wishes of the guests, Megan looped her arm through Sebastian's, as if he was already her possession.
Sebastian's cold gaze swept over the hundreds of guests present, not just the Turner family but also the Rivera family. The banquet had gathered half of Aucester's wealthy and noble, making it quite lively.
He held Megan's fingers with one hand. Just when Megan thought he was about to make an intimate gesture, he pressed down on her wrist, pulling her hand off his arm.
Megan's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening slightly, "Sebastian, what are you doing?"
Sebastian leaned in, his voice whispering in her ear with a hint of ambiguity. Despite his suggestive demeanor, his words were enough to stiffen Megan's entire body. "Megan, do you remember what I told you? But there's one condition that no longer holds. Tonight, are you going to be the one to suggest breaking off the engagement, or shall I take the lead?"
Megan's face felt like it had been slapped dozens of times, burning with pain. She grabbed his sleeve in panic, "Sebastian, don't joke like this. I'm supposed to marry you. How can you break off the engagement?"
To the onlookers, Sebastian and Megan's whispers seemed like lovers' sweet nothings, but only they knew the truth.
Sebastian brushed her hand away, "Marry you? What about my wife?"
Without giving Megan a moment to show her surprise, Sebastian, in a compassionate tone, said, "I will leave the initiative to you. You can declare our engagement invalid, thereby preserving the Turner family's dignity."
"I won't agree to this!"
Sebastian frowned, "In that case, I'll do it."
After a brief psychological battle with Megan, Sebastian walked to the center of the hall. Lawrence approached with a broad smile, "Sebastian, tonight is the night you and Megan discuss marriage. The Kingsley and Turner families are finally becoming one."
Sebastian's smile was devoid of warmth, "Mr. Turner, I don't think we're quite there yet."
Lawrence chuckled, "Sebastian, are you trying to irritate me before you married?"
Brian silently watched Sebastian. For a moment, their eyes met, and only they understood the deeper meaning behind their gazes.
Quinn sat on a single sofa in the distance, his face dark, one leg crossed, his heel resting on the sofa's armrest, holding a glass of champagne that he hadn't sipped.
The Turner family was in for a rough night.
Sebastian didn't plan to stay long at the banquet. He wanted to make a clean and decisive break.
Jennifer and Karen were still chatting, Piper was making small talk with the Kingsley family, and James had somehow moved towards Quinn.
"Mr. Quinn Kingsley, it's our family feast today. Why aren't you more excited?"
Quinn looked up and laughed, "Why aren't you in high spirits since your cousin is going to marry?"
James smirked and clinked glasses with Quinn, taking a sip of red wine, "I don't think so it's a good thing."
Quinn smirked back, "I didn't expect Mr. Rivera and I would ever see eye to eye."
He took a sip and, along with James, looked towards the crowd surrounding Sebastian.
Sebastian, with one hand in his pocket, smiled coldly, "Thank you all for gathering here tonight for me and Ms. Megan Turner's sake. I appreciate it."
Megan tightened her grip, "Sebastian, no need for formalities. Since everyone is here, let's give them the time..."
Sebastian cut her off, "In a moment, everything will be theirs. No need to rush."
His eyes narrowed like a hawk's, not even glancing at his parents. At that moment, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
In the center of everyone's attention, Sebastian took out his phone, exuding an unchallengeable aura that silenced all murmurs.
On the screen was a text from Brooklyn, a simple message.
[I've canceled the engagement. Wonder if you're having double the good news?]
Sebastian smiled in a way no one else could decipher, then said, "However, I cannot marry Megan."
Lawrence's eyes widened in anger. He stepped forward and grabbed Sebastian's collar, "What did you say?"
Sebastian's large hand gripped Lawrence's wrist, forcefully shaking him off, "Mr. Turner, you wouldn't want your daughter to marry a man who is already married, would you?"
Karen's face turned pale, "Sebastian, what do you mean by that?"
Sebastian's fingers brushed over his phone, as if touching the message on the darkened screen.
"My wife has returned. That's what I mean."
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