CHAPTER 76
Arianna's heart raced as she realized the gravity of the situation. She knew she had to act swiftly to thwart Violet's sinister plan and protect herself and Xander from being ensnared in her web of deceit.
If the truth emerged, the King family would find themselves entangled with the Schmidt family, obligated to enter into a strategic marriage alliance.
Arianna understood that she was the pawn in Violet's manipulative game, destined to shoulder the blame alone.
Violet's scheme was deviously cunning, a testament to her intelligence and malice, unlike Piper, who was far too naïve.
Had Arianna been any less vigilant, she might have fallen prey to Violet's machinations.
Yet, Violet had underestimated Arianna. She was not one to cower in the face of adversity, nor would she allow herself to be manipulated.
It was unfortunate for Violet that she had chosen the wrong adversary. Arianna was not to be trifled with, and she would not hesitate to thwart Violet's sinister plans.
"Ms. Schmidt, Mr. King is on his way up!" The housekeeper hurriedly alerted Piper.
"Understood. Thank you," Piper responded, her voice tinged with urgency, as she made her way toward the bathroom. "Quickly, hide. Notify me as soon as Xander enters. We cannot afford any slip-ups."
Perfection was paramount.
The housekeeper nodded resolutely. "You can count on me, Ms. Schmidt. I've got everything under control!"
Then, she hastily exited the room, gently shutting the door behind her.
Moments later, the door creaked open once more, and the rhythmic footsteps of the man drew closer.
The room was already enveloped in the aroma of incense.
Xander furrowed his brows, sensing that something was awry. Instinctively, he covered his nose and mouth in an attempt to ward off the strange scent. Despite his efforts, he couldn't help but inhale a trace of the intoxicating fragrance.
Furthermore, the scent was overpowering, its potency seeping into every pore of Xander's being. Despite his usual resilience to such substances, he could feel his body reacting, a warmth spreading through him.
His normally sharp eyes glazed over, tinged with a hint of red, as he strode forward to extinguish the incense on the bedside table. Turning on his heel, he made a swift move to depart.
However, just as he was about to leave, Piper emerged from the bathroom, clad only in a bathrobe that barely covered her. The robe hung loosely off her shoulders, revealing a glimpse of her flawless skin.
Spotting Xander, Piper feigned surprise.
“Xander, what brings you here?”
Xander's intense gaze bore into her, a tumult of emotions swirling within. His expression remained inscrutable, leaving Piper to wonder about his thoughts.
Meanwhile, the jubilant cheers from the guests downstairs signaled the commencement of the video showcasing Violet and Justin's enduring union.
Piper appeared indifferent as she approached Xander, feigning distress.
"Xander, I don't know what's going on... I feel so warm and uncomfortable..."
With calculated precision, she moved closer to Xander, her lips poised for a kiss.
In the grand banquet hall, the housekeeper discreetly approached Violet and conveyed the developments from the guest room above.
Violet's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Excellent. Let's air it at nine."
The housekeeper nodded and glanced at the wall clock. Time was running out, and the countdown to their plan was about to begin.
Violet scanned the room with a furrowed brow, searching for Justin. "Where's Justin? We're supposed to deliver a speech together."
The housekeeper shared her confusion.
"Mr. Schmidt was here just a moment ago. Perhaps he's engaged in conversation or using the restroom. Shall I go find him?"
Time was slipping away, and Violet's patience was waning. She dismissed the idea of waiting for Justin. "No need to search for him now. We can't afford to delay any longer. We have more urgent matters to attend to."
"Alright, Mrs. Schmidt, it's your turn to address the guests."
Violet adjusted her attire with poise, ensuring every detail was perfect before stepping onto the stage.
With a graceful smile adorning her lips, she walked confidently amidst the applause, commanding the attention of everyone present.
Taking her place behind the microphone, she greeted the audience warmly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for gracing us with your presence at this momentous occasion—the celebration of love and commitment that my husband Justin and I share. Your presence adds immense joy to our celebration, and I'm certain this isn't the final chapter of our journey together. Here's to many more years of unwavering love and cherished memories as we embark on this beautiful journey hand in hand."
As Violet uttered those words, a radiant smile graced her lips, radiating happiness and pride that captivated the audience. In response, envy-laden gazes were cast her way.
It was common knowledge within their social circles that most marriages were strategic alliances or pursued for personal gain.
Behind the facade of happiness, many couples indulged in clandestine affairs. Yet, Justin and Violet stood out as a beacon of genuine love. Despite their marriage being arranged by their families, their bond was truly built on love.
Furthermore, Justin was widely esteemed as an exemplary husband. He refrained from gossip, dutifully cared for his family, and held his wife in the highest regard, earning him admiration and respect from all who knew him.
Amidst the applause, Violet smoothly shifted the evening's proceedings.
"Now, let's embark on a visual voyage through our twenty-five years together," she declared.
The audience erupted in another wave of applause, eagerly awaiting what was to come.
As the screen lit up, a hush fell over the room in anticipation. However, instead of the expected nostalgic glimpses into Violet and Justin's marital bliss, the audience was met with a shocking and scandalous scene.
The room erupted into gasps and murmurs as the unexpected images unfolded before their eyes, leaving everyone stunned and taken aback.
