Chapter 327 Blessing
If it were just Charles coming to offer his congratulations, Billy could still manage to fake some pleasantries with him.
But no, standing right next to him was the woman he loved, Diana.
Why, why would Charles bring Diana to his engagement party?
Billy's face turned pale, his fists clenched tightly, as if he was about to explode at any moment.
His gaze fell on Diana.
She looked stunning today, her red dress perfectly outlining her beautiful curves, making her even more enchanting than usual.
Her face was more dazzling than the diamond necklace around her neck.
But unfortunately, she didn't belong to him.
Chloe was also taken aback when she saw the two of them approaching.
Although she knew the family had sent an invitation to Charles, she didn't expect him to actually show up.
She tightened her grip on Billy's arm slightly and flashed a sweet smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Percy, for your blessings. It's such a pleasant surprise to have you at our engagement party. I hope you enjoy yourself."
Billy, reminded by her, managed to regain some composure, but it felt like something was stuck in his throat, preventing him from speaking.
His eyes remained fixed on Diana, silently begging her not to say those hurtful, congratulatory words.
Charles noticed his gaze and felt a surge of anger, but he maintained his fake smile and squeezed Diana's hand.
"Darling, don't just stand there. Mr. Richardson is your good friend. You should congratulate him on his engagement."
He deliberately called her affectionately, making Diana almost want to throw up.
She silently cursed him in her heart, 'Pretending to be generous? If I were truly close friends with him, you wouldn't be so unhappy about it.'
Seeing Diana remain silent, Charles grew impatient.
"Say something."
Diana snapped out of her thoughts and met Billy's pleading eyes.
She hesitated. When Billy had told her he was getting engaged, he had looked utterly defeated.
He wasn't like her; he couldn't just run away without a care.
Billy was truly a good person, but unfortunately, they were destined to miss each other.
Taking a deep breath, Diana finally spoke, "Congratulations on your engagement. Ms. Washington is beautiful, and you two make a great couple."
Her words of blessing felt like a thousand cuts to Billy, leaving deep wounds in his heart.
He hated it. Why did he have to be part of the Richardson family? Why did he have such a controlling father?
The immense sorrow overwhelmed him, and Billy could barely stand.
Chloe quickly supported him, forcing a strained smile.
"Thank you for your blessings. You look beautiful today as well."
Their interaction seemed small, but it drew the attention of everyone at the party.
It was no secret that Charles had been suppressing the Richardson family in the business world, so his presence here to offer congratulations seemed suspicious.
But the atmosphere between them appeared normal, causing some to doubt if this engagement party signaled a truce between the Richardson and Percy families.
However, the Richardson family was collaborating with the Washington family, not the Percy family. Why was everything so harmonious?
At that moment, Vance and Vincent, two cunning individuals, stepped out from the crowd, smiling as they approached Charles to shake his hand.
"Mr. Percy, your presence at Billy's engagement party is truly an honor. We must invite you to his wedding as well."
Charles lowered his gaze and shook their hands, his expression revealing nothing.
"Of course, I'll be there to congratulate him."
Vincent, initially anxious about Vance inviting Charles, felt relieved seeing that Charles didn't seem angry.
As he pondered, his eyes fell on Diana.
Seeing them holding hands, he couldn't help but compliment, "Mr. Percy, the lady beside you seems unfamiliar. Which family is she from? You two look perfect together."
For the first time, Charles found such flattery particularly pleasing.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he responded, "This is my wife, Diana."
"Oh, it's your wife... What? Your wife?"
Vincent had assumed Diana was Charles' new fling, given the widely publicized news of their divorce.
But hearing it from Charles himself was entirely different.
When did they remarry? And Diana didn't look like this before. Did she get plastic surgery?
Vincent's mind raced, imagining a dramatic story of Diana getting plastic surgery after the divorce to win back Charles' favor.
He never expected the usually aloof Charles to be so superficial.
His reaction was so exaggerated that it drew everyone's attention.
Most people shared Vincent's thoughts. How did the Percy family's matriarch end up being Diana again?
What kind of charm did Diana possess?
Charles didn't mind the attention. Instead, he pulled Diana closer, wrapping his arm around her waist.
It seemed he intended to confirm everyone's suspicions with this gesture.
Diana hadn't expected him to say such things in public and tried to pull away, but he held her tightly, making it impossible to move.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
She whispered in his ear, her lips close to his face, in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Her warm breath tickled his ear.
Charles turned his head slightly, mimicking her tone. "I'm not crazy. We'll remarry as soon as we get off the ship."
To others, their small gestures looked like a display of affection.
The venue buzzed with whispers.
Vance, knowing the truth, raised his glass with a smile.
"A perfect match."
Billy's face turned even paler. Ignoring Chloe's grip, he stormed off.
Chloe wanted to chase after him but, mindful of appearances, explained, "He probably isn't feeling well and went to rest."
Vance remained calm and addressed Charles. "Billy was a bit out of line. I'll drink this on his behalf."
"When Mr. Percy and Ms. Spencer get married, the Richardson family will prepare a grand gift."
With that, he downed his drink.
Charles looked up but didn't hold it against him.
After all, Billy's engagement wouldn't have happened without Vance's push.
Billy's departure was just the impotent rage of a loser. The true victor who won Diana was him.
The happier Charles felt, the worse Diana's mood became.
Congratulating Billy was already hard enough, but now Charles was talking about remarrying. He was truly insane.
She pried his hand off and said coldly, "I'm going to the restroom."
Charles looked at her but didn't stop her, letting her go.
Diana said she was going to the restroom, but she headed to the deck instead.
She needed the cold sea breeze to clear her head.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would really lose her temper.
The biting wind quickly sobered her up.
After a minute, once her body and emotions had calmed down, she turned to re-enter the cabin.
As she rounded a corner, a hand suddenly grabbed her.
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