Chapter 468
Chapter 468:
“Livestream,” she announced. “We will livestream our party. We will show the world how intimate and exclusive it is. We will spin it—’quality over quantity p>
She grabbed a tripod. She set up her phone.
“Get in the frame, Liam!” she barked.
Liam sat in his wheelchair in the corner. He looked miserable, his body trembling slightly under his suit jacket, sweat beading on his upper lip despite the air conditioning. But his eyes were sharp, watching her every move.
He stared at his own phone, watching the same livestream of Skye. He saw her smile—a real smile, one he hadn’t seen in years.
“Liam!” Sienna yelled.
Liam looked up. His eyes were cold.
“I’m coming,” he muttered.
Sienna hit “Go Live p>
“Hello, everyone!” she chirped, forcing a smile that looked like a rictus of pain. “Welcome to the Kensington Gala! It’s so exclusive here—just the inner circle p>
Behind her, a waiter dropped a tray of glasses.
Crash.
The echo rang through the empty hall.
At the Thorne Estate, the music faded. A hush fell over the crowd.
The MC stepped to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, the presentation of the bridal gifts p>
This was an old tradition, revived by Silas Thorne. It was a display of power, a way to show the bride’s value to the world. Usually, it was jewelry or cars.
But Skye’s friends were not usual people.
Victoria Hayes, standing in the back near the kitchen doors, whispered to her friend Paris. “I bet she has nothing. She’s an orphan. Who is going to give her a dowry p>
Felix Carter stepped forward first. He wasn’t wearing his usual security earpiece—he had removed it for the ceremony, a rare gesture of informality. He looked uncomfortable in a suit, but his grin was genuine.
He handed Skye a leather folder.
𝘈𝗅𝘭 𝗻𝘰𝘃𝖾𝘭ѕ 𝘧𝘳e𝖾 𝗈ո 𝖻е.𝖼𝗈𝗺
“From the Tech Division,” Felix announced.
Skye opened it. She projected the contents onto the massive screen behind the stage.
It was a stock certificate—5% ownership of a global semiconductor manufacturer.
The room gasped.
“That’s worth… two hundred million,” a banker in the front row whispered, doing the math.
“Pocket money for my sister,” Felix said, winking at Skye.
Next, Harper Quinn marched up. Her pink hair was vibrant against her formal gown. She held a small velvet box.
She opened it. Inside wasn’t a ring. It was a golden key.
“A private island in the Mediterranean,” Harper announced. “Formerly owned by a Greek shipping magnate. Fully staffed. No paparazzi allowed p>
The screen showed drone footage of the island: white sand, turquoise water, a villa on the cliff.
Victoria’s face turned green. She gripped her champagne glass so hard the stem looked ready to snap.
Finally, Julian Vance stepped forward.
He looked pale. His illness was taking a toll, and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead. He walked with a distinctive silver-handled cane, moving slower than usual, but his presence commanded the room. Two assistants wheeled in a covered display case.
Julian pulled off the velvet cloth.