Chapter 7
“Isaac, Anthony, Mateo, I know I’m just a butler’s daughter. I don’t have the beauty or background Emma has. So I accepted that a long time ago and stopped reaching for things that were never mine to begin with. But then you walked into my life and told me you liked me. That’s when I started to hope. I’ll never forget how you left Emma at the campsite and drove back overnight just to comfort me after I had a nightmare. I’ll never forget how you used a “business trip” as an excuse to take me to the North Pole to see the aurora for my birthday. And I’ll never forget how you donated a kidney and gave me blood until you passed out–just to save me.
“By the time you’re watching this video, I’ll already be standing on the rooftop of Dalton Group. I know one of you is marrying Emma, but the thought of you becoming her husband, cutting all ties with me, and never speaking to me again hurts too much.
“I know you don’t want to marry her, and I know your families forced you into this. I also know that you only agreed to marry Emma because you were worried I’d be targeted otherwise. But I don’t want you giving up your future for me and I don’t want to be the reason you stay trapped in something that’ll make you miserable. So I’ve made my decision. If I’m gone, you’ll be free to love whoever you choose.”
When the five–minute video suddenly cut off, the hall fell into a suffocating silence.
Everyone stared at Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo in shock–everyone except Emma.
The first time she saw the video, her mind had gone completely blank.
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And suddenly, Janet’s strange behavior before leaving the house made
sense.
Emma’s eyes quietly swept over the three stunned men and the elders whose expressions were dark with fury. She let out a silent sigh.
Of all the people present, the ones who had the hardest time processing this were those elders who watched her grow up.
After all, her parents were aware that the one she chose to marry was not one of those three childhood friends who had disappointed her so deeply–so beyond the initial shock, they actually felt a sense of relief.
Yet, those elders who were kept in the dark and had been eagerly hoping for a marriage between them would likely never mention it again after learning what they did for Janet.
And just like she predicted, the moment the elders snapped out of their daze, they immediately called the bodyguards. Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo, who had tried to run out after Janet, were held back on the spot.
The elders were absolutely furious, and they were slamming the table and yelling with rage.
“Today’s Emma’s birthday. If you’re not staying to celebrate with her, where are you going? Off to find the butler’s daughter? Let me tell you, so long as we’re around, you’ll never have anything to do with her again!”
However, the moment the three men heard Janet might be attempting suicide, they completely lost it.
Their minds were consumed with nothing but her safety, and they wanted nothing more than to be by her side right away.
They could not care less about the people whispering around them, the furious elders, or the human wall of bodyguards trying to stop them.
“Is a life not more important than a birthday? If you won’t let us go and something happens to Janet, then none of us will ever marry Emma. Ever!”
With that, they shrugged off their jackets, grabbed bottles of wine, and smashed them at the feet of the bodyguards.
Immediately, chaos erupted in the banquet hall. Screams echoed all around.
As the three men forced their way out and left without even glancing back, Emma stood on stage and let out a faint, bitter smile.
Even in this lifetime, they still chose to give up everything for Janet.
Lowering her head, she placed a hand over her chest, feeling her heart race wildly. It felt as if it might burst out of her chest at any second.
However, aside from that dull ache and an overwhelming emptiness, there was no pain left.
The crowd, now stunned into silence, turned their gazes to her.
“All three of her childhood sweethearts are in love with the butler’s daughter? God, poor Emma. What a slap in the face.”
“On her birthday too! The groom just ran off, and the whole party’s wrecked. Is she going to have a breakdown?”
Despite all the murmurs, Emma remained composed.
She gently patted her still–stunned parents, took the mic, and spoke with poise, “Something unexpected just happened, and I’m sorry for the
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disruption. On behalf of my parents, I’d like to apologize. Also, I have
an announcement–my wedding will be held the day after tomorrow. My fiancé is Samuel from the Lockwood family of New York, and we’d be honored to have you all attend.”
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