Chapter 1010:
Rupert patted her hand in reassurance. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly. “Everything is fine. Go to the hotel and clean up, just in case. I’m going to the company to take care of a few things. I’ll join you soon. Wait for me at the hotel.”
He lightly pinched the tip of her nose. “My bride has to be the most beautiful there is. Cathy nearly hurt you earlier. The best thing for you is to take a shower and get some rest. Be good.”
Candace lowered her head with a smile. She had no more objections.
Once she was settled, Rupert stepped out and shut the door. In the second it took him to turn toward the driver, the smile on his face vanished completely.
“Go back,” he said flatly.
At the hotel, Candace washed her face, and a professional stylist came to reapply her makeup. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she finally let out a relieved breath. Before long, her confidence returned.
Once the engagement ceremony was over, Rupert would officially be her fiancé. After that, no one would dare mess with her.
Guests began arriving at the banquet hall where the engagement ceremony would be held. Most were prominent figures in Douburgh’s business world, and some were Rupert’s business partners. It was only natural that they would come to show him respect on such an occasion.
Not to mention, it would be a media circus—journalists and cameramen everywhere, with crowds gathered outside.
“Miss Cooper, the engagement ceremony is about to begin,” the stylist said. “Mr. Benton just informed us that he might be late. He asked you to go out first. Come with me.”
The stylist’s words made Candace uneasy, but she nodded and followed anyway.
The banquet hall was resplendent. Waiters weaved through the crowd with champagne flutes balanced expertly on their trays. Even Candace was surprised by how many people had come.
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She smiled warmly and greeted everyone who offered congratulations, maintaining her poise.
The reporters, of course, wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away. The moment they spotted Candace, they swarmed her, shouting questions over one another.
“Miss Cooper! You’ll soon be engaged to Mr. Benton—how do you feel?”
“Miss Cooper! Where is Mr. Benton? Why isn’t he with you on your big day? Was this something you agreed on?”
“Miss Cooper—!”
Candace was bombarded from all sides. When she heard the questions about Rupert’s whereabouts, her brows knit slightly, but she kept her smile steady and appealing. She stepped up to the microphone.
“Recently, Ron has had many urgent matters to handle at the company. That’s where he is right now,” she announced smoothly. “He just called to say he’ll be here as soon as possible, but there are some things you simply can’t leave to subordinates.”
She paused politely, then continued, “And we also have our guests to consider. As one of your hosts, I can’t stay in the room waiting for him while all of you are out here. That would be impolite.”
Candace didn’t say much, yet no one could easily pick apart her answer. She had framed everything as consideration—for the company, and for their guests—and protected Rupert in the process