Chapter 83
Chapter 83:
Midway through the meal, Colton glanced over at Kristine, who sat poised and silent. For the first time in hours, some of the tension inside him eased. With a slight motion, he signaled Bobby.
Bobby did not hesitate. He took the microphone and stepped up onto the stage.
The room’s attention turned to him at once.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we celebrate the new partnership between Yates Group and Edwards Group. Mr. Yates would also like to share some personal news — he is getting engaged p>
Cheers erupted throughout the room.
“Finally — we’ll know who the future Mrs. Yates is p>
“Kristine’s the only one here tonight. It must be her p>
“There’s no doubt about it p>
𝗥еa𝘥 𝘧𝗿𝗈m у𝗈𝗎𝘳 𝗉𝘩оnе 𝗈ո
The excitement surging around her felt distant. Kristine sat curiously numb.
There was no way Colton would actually —
She looked up and found him already watching her, an unreadable flicker moving through his cold gaze. Then, without warning, he reached over and took her hand.
“For a long time, there have been countless rumors surrounding my private life p>
The moment Colton spoke, a hush settled over the room. Attention shifted entirely toward him. Born into privilege, he possessed the kind of presence that commanded notice — striking features, an effortless confidence in his stance — and people found it difficult to look elsewhere. That pull only intensified now, with an announcement of this magnitude moments away.
“To finally put an end to all the speculation, I have chosen tonight to p>
“Colton p>
A weak, almost fragile voice cut through. It carried a softness that instinctively stirred concern. Heads turned in unison. Seated in a wheelchair, Elyse appeared in a flowing white dress, and surprise flickered across the faces around her.
Of all possible moments, this was when she chose to make her entrance.
A subtle tension rippled through the space. Once it became clear that Luna was the one guiding the wheelchair, Colton’s expression hardened. He let go of Kristine’s hand and moved directly toward Elyse.
As her fingers slipped free, Kristine watched quietly — the faintest curve touching the corner of her lips. By now, hope was something she no longer allowed herself to entertain. What lingered instead was only a dull tightness against her chest — less like pain and more like the fading echo of emotions she had believed were already buried.
When Colton reached Elyse, his gaze sharpened with unmistakable coldness despite his composed expression. “Why did you bring Elyse here p>
Luna had already changed into a clean gown. She cast a deliberately provoking glance toward Kristine before replying. “I knew you were planning to announce your engagement tonight. Since Elyse wasn’t invited, I assumed you wanted it to be a surprise for her. I only decided to be helpful and bring her myself p>
“What made you think p>
“Colton, please don’t be upset…” Elyse rushed to speak, but her words faltered as a coughing fit overtook her, color rushing to her face. Even so, she forced herself to continue. “This is not Luna’s fault. I was the one who insisted on coming. If someone needs to be blamed, blame me p>