This Time, Watch Me Dazzle!

Chapter 3 The Bigwig

Arthur strode over, his face stern. "Did you and Julia have another argument?"

Evan quickly shook his head. "No, Grandpa, don't overthink it."

"It better not be." Arthur gave him a withering look.

"Julia is the granddaughter-in-law I've chosen. If anything goes wrong at today's engagement party, don't even think about coming back to the Pierce family!"

"Don't worry, nothing will happen."

As they were talking, Arthur caught sight of Julia and immediately brightened up. "Julia!"

Evan followed his grandfather's gaze and saw Julia gliding over in a graceful dress, her high heels tapping rhythmically.

A huge weight finally lifted off his chest. Evan lifted his chin with a smug grin. So what if things got so bad she moved out of the villa? She still had to come back, he thought.

Yet Julia didn't even glance his way, heading straight for Arthur.

"Why are you so late?"

"Grandpa, didn't I tell you? Julia forgot something before leaving, so it took a bit of time to go back and forth."

Evan jumped in to answer, casually draping an arm over Julia's shoulder. "Julia, next time, let someone else take care of these minor errands. Otherwise, Grandpa might think we're arguing on such a joyous day."

His words were smooth as silk.

On the surface, he was showing affection, but in reality, he was warning Julia to behave and not cause trouble on such an occasion.

Julia stared at Evan for a long moment, not saying a word.

Arthur glanced between them, sensing something amiss, but he didn't want to waste energy figuring it out on such a day.

"Alright, as long as you two are fine. The Lynch family will be here today, so later..."

Before he could finish, Arthur spotted a figure in the distance and quickly put on a welcoming smile. "Speak of the devil, Mr. Lynch, what perfect timing!"

Evan was stunned that Arthur had actually invited the legendary figure from the Lynch family.

In Austin City, the Lynch family was one of the top aristocratic families.

In just a few short years, their business had skyrocketed.

The Lynch family was vast and influential, with many talented individuals, especially Landon Lynch, who was truly exceptional. After studying abroad, he took over the family business.

A figure like him was usually confined to the pages of financial news, rarely seen in the flesh.

Evan never imagined that Landon would attend his engagement party!

At that moment, Evan was thrilled beyond measure. He left Julia in the dust, eagerly following Arthur to greet Landon.

Meanwhile, Julia relished the newfound peace, planning to grab a bite before the food vanished. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of curious eyes was locked onto her.

A young boy standing next to Landon scratched his head, puzzled. "Uncle, haven't I seen her somewhere before?"

Landon cast him a sidelong glance. "Keep it together."

Meanwhile, Julia had just taken a small bite of cake when Luna's sugary voice chimed in from behind her.

"Julia, I'm so glad you came! I thought you were still mad at me and Evan!"

Luna's voice stretched out, dripping with innocence and mischief.

"Julia, it was my fault last time. Evan only listened to me, which caused the misunderstanding."

Luna clutched Julia's hand, her voice a careful whisper, "If you're going to blame someone, blame me."

Julia wasn't falling for it. She pulled her hand back, expressionless.

Ruth's face clouded with displeasure. "Luna is apologizing to you! What kind of attitude is that?"

Their brother, Ethan Blair, was equally unhappy. "Julia, don't be so ungrateful!"

"Who says an apology has to be accepted?"

Julia glanced around at the Blair family, all siding with Luna, as if they were the real family.

All along, she had been the outsider.

She had once bent over backward to fit in, but now... she saw no point in forcing herself into a circle that would never embrace her.

'Life's too short for that.'

"Besides..." Julia shot Luna a look, "there are plenty of things she should apologize to me for."

Luna was skilled at socializing, reading people well, and most importantly, she was insatiably greedy and not at all foolish.

Julia had long noticed Luna's deliberate attempts to get close to Evan, constantly finding excuses to ask for his help.

Initially, Evan would complain to her, "Why is Luna so troublesome?"

But over time, his complaints dwindled, and he even began offering to help, his heart clearly leaning towards Luna.

She had to admit, in the game of manipulation, she was no match for Luna—a complete defeat.

Since she couldn't win, she decided not to play anymore.

'After all, what's the use of winning a heart if it doesn't make you immortal?'

As Julia shook off her thoughts, the emcee was already testing the microphone on stage.

Chandler, exuding the authority of a family patriarch, spoke sternly to Julia, "Today is your big day. Behave yourself and don't disgrace our families."

Julia didn't respond, simply turning and heading toward the stage.

Ethan was fuming. "Hey! Julia, do you have any manners? Dad was talking to you..."

Chandler grabbed his arm, "Enough, say no more."

Ethan turned to Luna, "Luna, you don't need to apologize to that worthless girl. She thinks she's something special, but she's not even worth one of your fingers!"

Luna said softly, "Ethan, don't talk about Julia like that..."

"You're the only one who ever stands up for her. Has she ever appreciated it? She's just ungrateful!"

Ethan scoffed, "I really wish she never came back to the Blair family! Having you as a sister is more than enough!"

The next moment, after receiving a warning look from Chandler, Ethan reluctantly fell silent.

Just then, Julia's voice echoed through the speakers in the banquet hall.

"Thank you all for attending today's banquet, but I'm sorry to say, I might disappoint you all."

Under the spotlight, Julia, dressed in a moon-white silk dress, glowed softly, standing tall and elegant like a rare alpine blossom.

Amidst the puzzled faces, she removed the pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring, and with a deft flick of her wrist, tossed it perfectly into the top of the champagne tower.

"I hereby break off the engagement, and from this moment on, Evan and I are strangers."

As soon as she finished speaking, the room erupted into a storm of disbelief and chatter.

"What? Did I hear that right? Julia called off the engagement?"

"Wow! Has Julia been possessed by some spirit? She finally had a chance to seal the deal, and she just gave it up?"

"Yeah, everyone knows she's been shamelessly chasing Evan for years. What's going on now?"

The chatter rose, a cacophony of disbelief.