Chapter 539 Official Announcement, Engagement!
Everyone perked up at the mention of good news, their eyes fixed on Patrick's enigmatic expression.
Patrick's eyes glinted with a mysterious light as he smiled at Edward. "Edward, come here."
Edward felt a sudden tightness in his chest, glancing at Evelyn beside him. His grip on her hand tightened, unwilling to let go.
"Go ahead. I'll be right here watching you," Evelyn said softly, her eyes filled with warmth as she gently withdrew her hand from Edward's grasp.
Edward had no reason to refuse, so he walked over to Patrick under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Patrick gave him a rare fatherly smile, patting his broad shoulder before turning to the guests and announcing loudly.
"Tonight, taking advantage of Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wilson's collaboration, I have an announcement of our own. My son Edward is engaged to Maurice's granddaughter, Jessica, from the Clark Group. The engagement ceremony will be held this month!"
The crowd was stunned into silence. "What?"
Edward and Jessica engaged?
Jessica trembled with excitement, her eyes wide and sparkling with joy. She had waited so long for this day, using countless schemes to convince Patrick to accept her, finally getting the chance to humiliate Evelyn and make her a laughingstock.
All the grievances and humiliations she had suffered from Evelyn were finally avenged!
But at this moment, most people's eyes were on Evelyn, filled with shock and complexity.
Evelyn's face drained of color, her thin shoulders trembling. The warmth she felt from Edward moments ago had turned to ice.
Her mind went blank.
Jessica's smile was wild and arrogant.
"The Wellington Group and the Clark Group are joining forces? How come there was no hint of this before? It's so unusual!"
"Isn't this typical of the Wellington Group? When Evelyn and Edward got married, they only announced the divorce after it happened. Three years of marriage without a word, and now they're pulling the same trick with the Clark family."
"So if Edward is engaged to Jessica, what about his deep feelings for Evelyn?"
"Maybe they were in love, but Mr. Wellington didn't approve. Honestly, I never thought Edward and Evelyn would work out. Mrs. Wellington was turned into a prisoner by Ms. Taylor, and the Wellington family's reputation was almost ruined by her! If I were Mr. Wellington, no matter how excellent, beautiful, or strong she was, I wouldn't want her in the family."
The discussions were like knives, stabbing Evelyn's heart.
Charlie was furious and incredulous at the news of the engagement. His beloved Evelyn had already suffered so much humiliation from the divorce. Now the whole world knew about Edward and Evelyn's reconciliation, their public displays of affection, and their unique love.
And now, Patrick announced an engagement with the Clark family, wanting Edward to marry Jessica.
He couldn't believe Patrick genuinely wanted to ally with the Clark Group. He was using Edward, the person Evelyn cared about most, to retaliate against Evelyn and him!
Gavin blinked in surprise. "Oh! This is big news! Congratulations, Mr. Wellington."
"Are you joking, Mr. Patrick Wellington?" Edward's fists clenched, his knuckles white. "Everyone knows the person I love is Evelyn. I will love her until I die. You want me to marry Jessica? I don't know what shady deal you've made with the Clark family, but let me tell you. Even if you put a knife to your throat and threaten me, I won't marry her!"
The crowd was stunned, jaws dropping.
Even Gavin and Sawyer were shocked by Edward's bold declaration.
Sawyer, who had previously looked down on Edward, now admired his courage to embarrass his father in front of so many elite guests. He whispered, "Unbelievable."
"OMG! Did Mr. Wellington just say that? Did I hear wrong? This is explosive!"
"This father-son showdown is about to erupt!"
"Edward's words mean he doesn't care if his father dies, but no one can stop him from being with Evelyn?"
Evelyn's tear-filled eyes were fixed on Edward, as if no one else in the world could make her heart race like he did.
The guests glanced at the Clark family.
"What's going on? It seems Edward had no idea about this engagement."
"Yeah, this is just cruel for everyone involved."
"I think the Clark family is more shameless, knowing Edward loves Evelyn, yet forcing Jessica on him, making both families look bad."
Jessica's face turned red from the mocking comments.
Maurice's expression was equally awkward. He knew the engagement was risky. Even if Patrick agreed, Edward might not comply.
But he thought announcing it at such an important event, with everyone watching, would force Edward to endure until the end of the party.
Once the engagement news spread, if Edward resisted, his reputation would plummet. They could then manipulate the media to ruin his image. The Wellington family would have to compromise to protect Edward's name.
But they underestimated Edward's love for Evelyn.
Patrick stepped forward, raising his chin to meet Edward's gaze, his anger barely contained. "You have no choice in this matter!"
He lowered his voice, glaring furiously. "Even if you don't want to marry Miss Clark, I won't bless you and Evelyn!"
"Besides Evelyn, I won't marry anyone."
Patrick's words were only heard by the two of them, but Edward's declaration was loud and clear to everyone.
A tear rolled down Evelyn's cheek, unable to hold back any longer. She was about to walk towards Edward when Charlie grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Evelyn, where are you going?" he asked sternly.
"Dad... I hope you trust him," Evelyn's voice was hoarse.
She was usually smart and wise, but at this moment, she could only think of being by his side.
Charlie's heart ached as he spoke in a deep voice. "I didn't say I don't trust him. But given the current situation, with Edward opposing Patrick and entangled with the Clark Group, if he's truly worthy of you, let's see how he handles this mess."
Edward's firm refusal was a slap in the face for the Clark Group!
Maurice couldn't take it anymore, bringing the tearful Jessica forward, angrily questioning, "Mr. Wellington! You love Ms. Taylor, that's your choice. But you abandoned Jessica, and it's been over six months without an apology or explanation! Isn't that disrespectful to Jessica?"
Jessica sobbed pitifully.
"We're asking you to take responsibility for Jessica. What's wrong with that? If you love Ms. Taylor so much, why did you get involved with Jessica?"
Maurice's words reminded everyone of the scandal when Edward and Jessica were caught in a hotel, causing a huge uproar. The Clark family had pressured the Wellington Group, but Edward remained indifferent, letting Jessica's attempts to stir trouble fizzle out.
Edward's eyes turned cold, glaring at Jessica.
Jessica trembled, unable to meet his gaze.
Edward's voice was icy and firm. "I never touched Miss Clark, nor had any private interactions with her. The hotel incident was a setup against me, and I've been investigating it. Even if Miss Clark doesn't care about her reputation, I need to clear my name. I won't let the woman I love be disappointed."
As he said the last sentence, his eyes were only on Evelyn.
The guests whispered, their gazes towards Jessica growing suspicious.
Jessica's reputation was already tarnished by previous scandals. If Edward was indeed framed, did Jessica use underhanded tactics to marry him?
"Grandpa... I had nothing to do with it, I'm the victim!" Jessica clung to Maurice, tears ruining her makeup.
Maurice didn't believe the accusations against Jessica, thinking Edward was making excuses.
"Edward, I'll give you a choice," Patrick said through gritted teeth. "If you choose Miss Clark, I'll make you my heir, transfer ten percent of my shares to you, making you the largest shareholder with the highest decision-making power in the Wellington Group! If you insist on Evelyn, not only will you lose the heir position, but you'll also be removed as CEO. I'll announce your dismissal on Monday, and the Wellington Group will have nothing to do with you."
But before Patrick finished speaking, Edward was already striding towards the girl waiting for him.
His Evelyn. His true love was priceless.
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