Chapter 2

As soon as I finished speaking, the entire banquet hall fell into an eerie silence, followed by an eruption of whispers.

"Hasn't Ms. Smith always been unhappy about the marriage arrangement with the Johnson family? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Probably compromising for the family's sake. What a shame for such a beauty. Mr. Johnson is such a playboy—there's no way he'll stay faithful to her after marriage."

I pretended not to hear those comments, feeling Michael's scrutinizing gaze from beside me, filled with curiosity and disbelief, as if trying to see right through me.

He was probably wondering why the woman who had firmly opposed the engagement just the day before, even insulting him, would suddenly change her attitude overnight.

"Nancy!" Susan was the first to react, rushing up to me with a voice sharp from urgency.

"How can you be so foolish! Have you really given in? Have you forgotten what you said before? You said you'd never accept an arranged marriage, that you'd fight for true love to the end!"

Her eyes were full of concern, putting on an act of caring deeply for me. "The person you love is clearly John. We agreed you'd leave with him today!"

Her words were like a boulder thrown into a lake, stirring up even bigger waves. The guests' eyes darted between me, Michael, and John, who had rushed over, filled with the excitement of watching a drama unfold.

Michael's parents' faces immediately darkened, their eyes full of suspicion and displeasure as they looked at me.

John now stood before me too, reaching out to grab my arm, his face full of anxious devotion. "Nancy, I know you're being forced into this. I'm the one you love! Come with me!"

He even looked toward my mother Lucy Smith, standing not far away. "Mrs. Smith, Nancy and I truly love each other. Please give us your blessing!"

Lucy's face looked terrible too, as if she'd swallowed a fly, and she glared at me fiercely.

I couldn't worry about my mother's reaction right now. Before John could touch me, I slapped his hand away hard.

The movement was swift and decisive, with undisguised disgust.

I looked at Susan, who was still putting on her act, my lips curling into a cold smile. "Susan, have you been watching too many trashy soap operas? Is your brain not working right? Eloping? You actually came up with such an outdated plot? Looks like I should suggest to your dad that he pay more attention to your mental state and have you watch less garbage."

"You!" Susan's face turned bright red from my merciless words, unable to come up with a rebuttal.

I then turned my gaze to John, who looked utterly incredulous, my tone distant. "Mr. Brown, I think there's been some misunderstanding between us. I've never had any feelings for you beyond ordinary friendship. If anything I said or did before led you to misunderstand, I apologize."

My tone suddenly turned cold, warning him word by word, "But let me be clear—I have absolutely no interest in you! If you continue spouting nonsense, I'll have to ask security to escort you out."

John's face instantly turned grim, his eyes widening as he stared at me, as if seeing me for the first time.

He and Susan stood together, their faces a colorful palette of expressions.

I paid them no more attention, turning instead to face David Johnson and Amelia Johnson, whose expressions remained serious. I bowed slightly, my tone sincere. "Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, please don't take those words to heart. I was young and foolish back then, and I did something stupid. But now I'm very clear that the only person I want to spend my life with is Michael! Please believe in my sincerity and prepare our wedding as soon as possible."

David and Amelia clearly hadn't expected me to state my position so directly. They both froze, but seeing my clear eyes and determined attitude that didn't seem fake, the frost on their faces gradually melted.

Amelia was the first to approach, affectionately taking my hand, her face showing a relieved smile. "Good! Nancy, we're so glad you feel this way! I'll start making arrangements right away—we'll give you the grandest wedding!"

David also nodded slightly. Though he didn't say much, his face showed a pleased smile.

Lucy, however, looked very surprised, her mouth slightly open, as if she didn't recognize her own daughter.

I playfully winked at her, indicating I'd explain everything to her later.

I turned around and looked at Michael, who had remained silent the whole time.

His deep blue eyes were also looking at me, his gaze unfathomable.

"Come with me. I need to talk to you." I walked over and took the initiative to link my arm through his, leading him toward the terrace beside the banquet hall.

Michael didn't pull away, letting me lead him, though his probing gaze never left my profile.

Reaching the empty terrace, the evening breeze dispersed some of the noise from inside. I stopped and turned to face him.

He was more than a head taller than me, now looking down at me slightly, his handsome face showing no emotion, only unfathomable waves churning in the depths of his eyes.

"Michael," I took a deep breath, stepped forward, and grabbed his tie, pulling down hard.

He involuntarily bent down from my sudden movement. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my soft pink lips against his cool thin lips.

Their lips met for just a moment, like a whisper on the wind.

I released his tie, looking at his dazed expression mixed with confusion, and couldn't help but laugh.

I lifted my chin, announcing in an almost domineering tone, "Michael, from today on, you're mine. Your eyes and heart can only have me—you're not allowed to look at any other woman!"

He seemed not yet recovered from that brief kiss, staring at me blankly, his blue pupils clearly reflecting my smiling face.

While he was still dazed, I unfastened a cross on a silver chain from my slender neck.

The silver cross was studded with sparkling diamonds—something I'd worn close to my body since childhood.

I reached my arms around his neck, carefully putting the cross on him. The delicate cross looked especially brilliant against his dark suit.

"This was left to me by my grandmother," I looked at him, my tone serious and solemn. "She told me to give it to my future husband. Now, I'm giving it to you."

Michael finally seemed to come back to his senses. He looked down, his slender fingers touching the pendant that still carried my body warmth. When he looked up at me again, his gaze was complex—containing shock, curiosity, and a hint of something stirring.

He remained silent for a full ten seconds. On the terrace, there was only the sound of the evening breeze. Finally, his low, slightly hoarse voice spoke.