Hooked on His Uncle

"Happy engagement!"

As cheers rang out and champagne sprayed into the air, laughter filled the entire party.

Just then, the banquet hall doors were kicked open.

A long-haired woman in a leather jacket appeared in the center of the party, looking both stunning and bold.

"Who are you?" someone stood up and demanded.

Cordelia Fox didn't answer. Instead, she raised her eyebrows and looked at the huge electronic screen in the distance, which was flashing the words "Happy Engagement."

Below the screen, a couple embracing each other were none other than her own sister Julie Fox and her ex-boyfriend Ryan Perez.

Cordelia's narrow eyes held a hint of mockery as they fell on Ryan's shocked face.

"Ryan, is this really the best you can do? Have all the other women in the world died or something?"

"Cordelia?"

Ryan's mouth dropped open in shock. He could hardly believe his eyes.

"You're not dead?"

Cordelia let out a cold laugh and propped one foot up on a nearby chair.

Her red lips parted slightly. "Why should I be dead? Or are you saying you were hoping I'd die?"

"Cordelia, how could I hope for you to die? You know I... I..."

Overwhelmed with shock, Ryan stammered incoherently.

Three years ago, Cordelia had disappeared at a yacht party and hadn't been heard from since.

Over these three years, rumors about Cordelia had circulated in their social circle from time to time.

Some said she'd been kidnapped and sold abroad, others said she'd been imprisoned by some rich guy and forced to marry and have kids, and there were also rumors that she was dead.

But now Cordelia was standing right here, proving all those were just rumors.

"Cordelia, where have you been all these years? Do you know how hard I've been looking for you!"

Ryan stared at Cordelia with a pained expression.

"Ask her—she knows better than anyone."

Cordelia let out a cold laugh and pointed directly at Julie beside Ryan, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Julie's body stiffened slightly, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes before she put on a hurt expression. "Cordelia, I really don't know."

She took Ryan's arm and said with a choked voice, "Ryan, you know me. I've been helping you look for her all along."

She looked at Cordelia. "Cordelia, today is our engagement party. Don't make Ryan sad."

As soon as she finished speaking, a white flash of cold light flew past her head.

With a thud, it embedded itself in the wall behind her.

Everyone looked—it was a dagger, its gleaming blade still carrying a strand of Julie's hair.

Julie screamed and crouched down, covering her head.

"Cordelia, what are you doing!"

An angry shout rang out as Jack Fox emerged from the crowd. Behind him, his wife Marigold Walsh rushed toward Julie, who was crouching on the ground, and pulled her into her arms, softly comforting her. "Julie, are you okay?"

"Mom, Cordelia tried to kill me. I'm so scared."

Julie curled up in Marigold's arms, trembling. This time she wasn't faking it—she was genuinely frightened by Cordelia's action.

"Cordelia!"

Marigold angrily stood up and raised her hand to slap Cordelia across the face.

"Cordelia!"

Ryan's cry rang out, but before he could rush over, he saw that the slap that should have landed on Cordelia's face had stopped in mid-air.

Cordelia had grabbed Marigold's hand tightly, preventing it from moving an inch.

Cordelia said coldly, "Mom, your temper hasn't changed one bit over the years. What, still want to step in and teach me a lesson for Julie at the drop of a hat?"

"Too bad—I'm not the Cordelia who let you beat and scold her anymore."

Three years ago, at a yacht party, Cordelia had been kidnapped and sold to a gang organization on the border.

To survive, Cordelia had to pretend to submit and train desperately in survival skills, until today, when no one in the entire gang could defeat her.

After regaining her freedom, the first thing she thought of was going home.

But she never expected that when she got home, she'd be greeted by Julie and Ryan's engagement party.

And Marigold's slap.

"You're so rebellious! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back?"

Marigold trembled with anger. Cordelia had always been wild and unruly, never liked by her since childhood.

Now, after disappearing for three years and coming back, she was even more outrageous, even daring to fight back.

"I came back to get revenge on whoever was behind my kidnapping three years ago and sold me to the border."

As Cordelia spoke, her red lips curved up with a hint of wickedness.

Hearing this, Marigold angrily shouted, "What are you talking about? Everyone knows you disappeared on that yacht because of criminals. What are you trying to say now—that the person who kidnapped you is here?"

A crisp clap echoed as Cordelia stopped what she was doing and looked at Julie with a half-smile.

"Mother, you're absolutely right. The person behind it all is right here, and everyone knows her. She's today's engagement party star—my dear sister, Julie!"

"Cordelia, what are you talking about?"

A flash of panic crossed Julie's eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a gentle, hurt expression. Her tone was soft yet firm.

She gently pulled Ryan's arm, her fingers lightly tapping his wrist as she said softly, "I know you're upset seeing Ryan and me getting engaged, but these three years, I was the one who helped him get through his pain."

"He thought you were gone and chose to be with me. We truly love each other. Even if you're jealous, it's too late. The feelings between you and Ryan are in the past. He's mine now."

As Julie spoke, she pulled Ryan's arm closer. The handsome man and beautiful woman standing together made a particularly pleasing sight.

"Stop making a scene, Cordelia. Today is Julie's big engagement day. Since you're back, just say congratulations and let's move on."

Jack frowned, looking at Cordelia with displeasure.

Cordelia looked around. Everyone around them wore expressions like they were watching a show.

The Fox family members all had a hint of disgust in their eyes.

Cordelia casually pulled over a nearby chair and sat down.

Her posture was noble, like she was looking down on everyone, as she said to Julie, "Fine, you want my congratulations? Sure. Julie, get on your knees and apologize to me. As long as you admit to kidnapping me and apologize, I'll bless you and Ryan."

"Cordelia, you're crazy!"

Marigold was the first to react, instantly furious. She was absolutely certain that this damned Cordelia had come back today just to cause trouble.

"Honey, call security and have her dragged out!"

Jack frowned at Cordelia. "Cordelia, did something happen to you out there? Have you lost your mind?"

"We're your family, your closest relatives!"

Cordelia flicked at non-existent dust on her sleeve. "Of course I know you're my family, but I'm even more certain that what happened three years ago was Julie's scheme!"

"I didn't! Mom, Ryan, I didn't. It wasn't me."

Julie nestled in Marigold's arms, sobbing softly.

"Don't be scared, Julie. I know it wasn't you."

Marigold said this, then turned to Jack. "Honey, why are you still waiting? Call someone to drag her out!"

Jack stared at Cordelia. Seeing her face unchanged, showing no sign of remorse, he finally made up his mind and waved his hand. "Cordelia has been wandering outside for three years and suffered trauma that caused mental instability. Someone, take her away."