"What?" Evette exclaimed angrily, then remembered that the crowd was watching and immediately changed her angry face to a smiley one. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm not the bride-to-be."

Evette had been making a great effort and spending a lot of money to restore her reputation, yet it didn't seem to be making much of a change. Today, she had decided to watch her own manners and present herself as an elegant lady. It wasn't a nice feeling to be seen as an outcast.

​​

The lady was very confused, wondering if she isn't the bride-to-be, why is she standing right next to the groom-to-be? She looks like she's doing it on purpose to get people's attention.

However, instead of voicing her thoughts, the lady asked, "Oh. I'm sorry, but where's the bride-to-be then? I'm sure everyone would love to meet her."

Anne had been watching and sweating nervously. She interrupted and said, "She's still in the dressing room, getting ready. Don't worry. You will see her soon."

The journalists and reporters had been taking pictures of the occasion, and some saw the scene and hurried forwards with their cameras.

"Mr. Ben Johnson, how do you feel about getting engaged to Miss Nathalia Carter?" A journalist asked.

Ben smiled happily, just like a normal groom-to-be who was madly in love. "I'm extremely happy. I feel truly blessed."

The journalists had found out everything about Ben, and all were curious how someone who was born an orphan had gained the trust of Frank Carter and why Nathalia would fall in love with him.

Everyone knew how terrible the relationship was between Frank and Nathalia. They believed that there must be something behind the engagement party, which was the main reason why everyone was here.

"How long have you known Miss Nathalia Carter?" the next question went.

Ben recalled lovingly, "It's been a long time. We fell in love at first sight. As you might have heard, I was Nathalia's private tutor. Ever since I first met her, I knew that she was the one."

Ben expressed his deep love for Nathalia openly, and the crowd was moved except Evette, who sneered disdainfully, not knowing that the cameras had caught every expression she wore.

Then a female journalist cut it sharply, "That's very touching, but wait a minute, wasn't Miss Nathalia Carter dating Spencer Davidson? So she was cheating on you? Or you were in an open relationship? How did you, and how do you feel about that?"

Everyone seemed to be alert all of a sudden, and all had their eyes on Ben, who looked worried for a few seconds but quickly collected himself.

He replied with a forced smile, "What's important is that she has chosen me at the end. I don't care about what happened in the past, as long as she's with me now."

Some were convinced while some appeared doubtful.

He's very lucky to marry a rich, beautiful and smart girl.

It seems like Nathalia Carter really compromised herself this time.

Different thoughts appeared.

"Mr. Ben Johnson, that's really touching. I'm sure Miss Nathalia Carter is very happy to be with you as you love her so much."

"Mr. Frank Carter, what about you? How do you see this engagement?"

The arrangement seemed rather strange. Nathalia Carter had never voiced her opinions, and she was not even present.

The father and daughter had been like enemies. Everyone knew how strong-willed Nathalia was, and it didn't make sense that she would obey her father.

However, they were father and daughter, after all. Perhaps they had restored a good relationship.

It was understandable that people had different guesses, as no one had heard Nathalia's opinion. She had never confirmed or denied anything.

Frank patted Ben on his shoulder and said with support, "I'm very pleased to have Ben as my son-in-law. My Nathalia is very stubborn, but Ben has been very tolerant of her. She's a lucky girl."

With Frank's comment on Nathalia, normally, people would think he was humble, but everyone knew how excellent Nathalia was. She was smart, elegant, intelligent, and successful. She could marry anyone she wanted.

Who was the lucky one?

The journalists exchanged looks and kept their thoughts to themselves.

"Mr. Frank Carter, will you have Mr. Ben Johnson work for Carter's Company after he marries your daughter?"

Frank all smiled. "For sure, I'd love to have him work for me, but it's certainly his own choice. I respect his choice." Frank appeared to be confident and certain, yet he couldn't help glancing at the door now and then, worried that Nathalia would not show up.

Though he had sent his bodyguards to kidnap her, he wasn't sure if she would cooperate and do what he asked. It had to work. He told himself.

He had thought of all the possible ways to get the money from Nathalia, and this was the best idea. It had to work. He repeated in his head.

He sighed in relief as he went over all the strategies in his head and was assured he wasn't missing anything.

Ben wore his friendly smile the whole time. Whether it was genuine or not, the crowd sent their best wishes. "Congratulations. A beautiful couple."

However, as time passed and Nathalia hadn't made her appearance. The crowd looked at each other and started murmuring. The Carter began to grow worried though Ben seemed unconcerned, still wearing the same smile.

Someone asked impatiently, "Where is Miss Nathalia Carter? Why hasn't she shown up yet?"

"What happened? Is she alright?" Another voice followed.

"Are you playing a joke on us? We don't have time for stupid tricks. Our time is precious."

"Is she coming or not? If not, we should leave now."

Anne was furious, but she had to control her anger and forced an apologetic smile, "Very soon. Very soon. She will be here."

Just then, a voice thundered from outside, "It's Miss Nathalia Carter! She's here!"

Carter heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, she's here!

The crowd turned around with excitement; all eyes were gazing at the door.

With everyone watching, Nathalia walked in, in a black dress, her long hair down, a folder in her hands. She looked elegant as she usually did, at the same time, indifferent and cold. It was as if she was here for a funeral rather than an engagement party, or to be exact, her own engagement party.

Most of the crowd had met or heard about Nathalia, and she had left a very positive impression on them. "She is a beauty. Natural. Genuine. No wonder Spencer Davidson falls for her."

"She's elegant and pretty."

"But wait. Why is she wearing black?"

Frank glared at Nathalia furiously, then said in a tone of helplessness, "Nathalia's very stubborn. I can't do anything to change her. I just hope that she will understand how much we have done for her when she gets married."

Though he looked caring and a little frustrated, the crowd had known very well what the relationship was like between him and Nathalia, thus very few believed what he said.

Anne winked at the bodyguard standing next to her, then said to Nathalia, "Nathalia, I've got you the most beautiful dress. Come on, hurry up, and get changed. We have been waiting."

Nathalia glanced at Anne indifferently and said, "There's no need to change."

Frank stepped forward, enraged, "Nonsense. Nathalia, you promised to marry Ben. You can't change your mind now."