Glad I Found You

Two weeks later, it was time for my engagement party with Edmond Hardy.

Edmond is the sole heir to Maltimum Enterprise. In the brief time we'd spent together over these past two weeks, I realized he wasn't as cold and distant as the rumors had suggested. Instead, he was humble, gentle, and genuinely attentive to me.

I didn't want an extravagant event for the engagement, and Edmond respected my wishes, so we decided to keep it simple and host it at our family's villa.

Even though it was a modest affair, my parents still invited some of the city's most prominent figures.

"After all, this is the engagement of our only daughter and the heir to Maltimum Enterprise. We need to have the proper display, or people will think I don't value this son-in-law! I'm so happy you and Edmond are getting together! Honestly, Edmond's much more presentable than those two fellas. Once you two marry, the company will be yours to manage, and your father and I will be waiting for grandchildren!"

After saying this, my mother rushed off to greet the guests.

I stared at the decorations around the house, lost in thought.

Before Vivian came into the picture, I was the center of attention to Zeke and Hendrick. On every holiday, big or small, they would never miss a chance to be there. No matter how expensive an item I wanted, they would buy it just to see me smile.

We'd even talked about marriage before. At that time, Zeke and Hendrick fought over who I would end up with.

Zeke had said boldly, "Trish is going to marry me!"

Hendrick wasn't intimidated either. "You're wrong! Trish is destined to be my wife!"

They were certain they would throw me the most extravagant engagement and wedding, making me the envy of everyone.

Back then, I was truly conflicted about whether I preferred Zeke or Hendrick.

But there was never a clear answer in my heart.

Now, fortunately, there was no need to choose.

Vivian was my junior, born into a poor family. I had pitied her for having come from a small town and working hard to get into university. During the autumn recruitment, I had offered her a job as my assistant at the company.

Knowing she didn't have many friends locally, I introduced her to Zeke and Hendrick, hoping she'd be happy to have some companionship.

What I didn't expect was that Vivian's intentions weren't just to make friends. She wanted to replace me.

Ever since she entered this small circle, Zeke and Hendrick had been determined to win her favor.

For Vivian's last birthday, Zeke and Hendrick spent an extravagant amount of money to buy fireworks to celebrate, even traveling to Ugonland to ask a retired artisan to make her a pair of ruby earrings.

When my birthday came around, neither of them even wished me a simple "Happy Birthday".

Looking back, the signs had been there from the beginning.

I changed into my dress and walked to the villa's entrance to join my mother in greeting the guests.

The people attending the engagement party were all local dignitaries. Once they learned that our family was about to form an alliance with Maltimum Enterprise, they were eager to butter us up, each gift they brought seeming more expensive than the last.

After all, who wouldn't want to climb aboard the Maltimum Enterprise ship?

Of course, there were also those who didn't like me, gossiping behind my back.

"Trish is suddenly getting engaged to the heir of Maltimum Enterprise... Could it be a shotgun wedding?"

"Wasn't she always hanging around with Zeke and Hendrick? How did she change so quickly?"

"With her looks and background, it's a miracle that Edmond even noticed her. My daughter's prettier than she is!"

"I bet Edmond's just playing around with her. They'll probably be divorced within a few months!"

"Ha! Let the Chambers enjoy themselves today. They'll be humiliated soon enough!"

My cousin, Payton Hilburn, who had grown up with me, couldn't stand it and was about to rush over to confront them, but I stopped her. "Let it go. A clean conscience has nothing to fear. Let them talk."

It turned out that those years I had spent tangled up with Zeke and Hendrick were seen as scandalous in the eyes of others.

I could only blame myself.