Chapter 4
1199 Words
The soft lighting filled the grand hall, with golden crystal chandeliers reflecting the luxurious attire of the guests. The sound of champagne glasses clinking echoed throughout. Mrs. Meyers' birthday banquet was nothing short of spectacular, with endless streams of guests arriving to offer their congratulations, each bringing lavish and expensive gifts.
Ezra stood alone in a corner of the hall, holding a modest cake in her hands. Despite the smile on her face, her eyes betrayed her exhaustion and anxiety. Her dress, though elegant, was nowhere near as dazzling as the extravagant outfits of the other guests. She knew that in the eyes of these wealthy elites, her birthday gift looked pitifully simply.
"Well, well, isn't this our dear eldest daughter?" a voice dripping with disdain cut through the air.
Ezra turned to see her cousin, Quinn Meyers, approaching with a champagne glass in hand, a sneer on her face. Beside her was Quinn's brother, Trevor Meyers, who followed closely, both clearly ready to mock her.
"I can't believe you had the nerve to show up at Grandmother's banquet," Quinn scoffed, her eyes filled with scorn. "The Meyers family's eldest daughter, reduced to waiting hand and foot on a crippled loser. You've disgraced us all."
Trevor joined in, laughing even more openly. "Yeah, Ezra, I heard you even gave up the family's resources for that worthless cripple? No wonder you're so broke now, can't even afford a decent gift for Grandmother's birthday. What do you have there in that tiny box?"
"Oh, it's a handmade cake! Only you could prepare a poor gift like this!" Trevor exaggeratedly inspected the cake in Ezra's hands before letting out a mocking laugh. "Did you bake this yourself? How touching. But really, do you think a gift like this belongs at such an important banquet?"
Ezra bit her lip, lifting her head and fighting back the tears of humiliation. "It's all I could give. I just hope Grandmother will like it."
Quinn and Trevor exchanged amused glances, their expressions full of contempt.
Trevor reached out as if to take the cake, but as soon as he touched it, he deliberately swatted it from her hands. The cake crashed to the ground with a dull thud, the frosting splattering across the floor.
"Oh no, my hand slipped," Trevor feigned surprise, though his face was alight with smug satisfaction.
Quinn burst into laughter. "Well, it's just a cake. Nothing valuable was lost."
Ezra stared in shock at the cake on the floor, her hands trembling, tears welling up in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure.
"How could you... that was on purpose..." she said softly.
"Of course it was on purpose!" Trevor laughed even louder. "Look around at everyone else's gifts—rare antiques, priceless jewelry. You show up with something so cheap and expect it to fit in here?"
Quinn chimed in with a sneer. "Yeah, sister, how could you bring something so pathetic to a party like this? There are so many important guests here today, and you're making the Meyers family look like a joke. You're just here to freeload, aren't you?"
At that moment, Vernie approached. Her eyes fell on the cake on the floor, and her expression darkened. Her tone was harsh as she spoke. "Ezra, what is this? How could you think to bring something like that? Are you really here to celebrate your grandmother's birthday, or are you trying to embarrass us?"
Ezra looked up at her mother, her face full of helplessness. "Mom, I just..."
Vernie waved her hand, cutting Ezra off impatiently. "Enough! Stop embarrassing us. Do you even know how important today's guests are? Kellan, the young master of the Diaz family, is on his way. You better behave and don't cause any trouble."
Ezra froze. "Kellan? Mom, what do you mean? I'm already engaged to Bruce. You saw him yesterday. Even though he's still disabled, he's regained his senses. I want a future with him."
Vernie scoffed, glancing around at the other guests before lowering her voice. "Don't mention that cripple! That engagement means nothing now. Grandfather Meyers is gone, and with him, so is that promise. Kellan is our family's new hope—you will marry him."
Anger flickered in Ezra's eyes as her voice grew firm with disbelief. "Mom, I won't marry Kellan. I never agreed to this!"
Vernie's face darkened, her tone thick with threat. "You don't have a choice, Ezra. This is what the family has decided. You can't keep sacrificing yourself for that worthless man."
As Ezra and her mother argued, Kellan confidently strode into the center of the hall. He wore a sharp suit, a bright smile on his face, holding a luxurious gift box in his hands. The eyes of the guests turned toward him.
"Mrs. Meyers, happy birthday," Kellan said with a slight bow, presenting the box to the elderly woman.
Mrs. Meyers beamed with delight as she accepted the box and opened it to reveal a stunning agate necklace, gleaming and valuable beyond measure.
"Kellan, you're so thoughtful. This gift is exquisite," she said approvingly, clearly pleased with him.
Kellan's smile deepened as he took advantage of the moment to address the crowd. "Today, besides celebrating Grandmother's birthday, I'd like to make an important announcement."
He swept his gaze across the room before locking eyes with Ezra. "Miss Ezra and I are soon to be engaged. This marriage will be a great union between our two families."
Ezra's face turned ashen, her mind buzzing in disbelief. Kellan had announced their engagement without her consent, right in front of everyone.
The hall erupted with chatter, and all eyes fell on Ezra, leaving her surrounded by whispers.
Kellan, full of confidence, walked up to her and leaned in with a smirk, whispering, "There's no escaping this, Ezra. With your mother and grandmother's approval, this engagement is already set in stone."
Ezra shook her head, her voice trembling but resolute. "This isn't a joke. I have the right to decide my own life. I won't marry you."
Seeing the defiance, Vernie quickly stepped forward, hissing under her breath, "Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you're saying? Kellan is your best option. You have to agree. You must marry—"
Before Vernie could finish, the doors to the banquet hall suddenly swung open.
A deep, commanding voice interrupted her. "The one she's marrying... is me."
The entire room froze, all eyes shifting to the entrance.
Bruce sat tall in his wheelchair, clad in a tailored suit that made him look as strong and confident as ever, despite his position. His 6-foot-2 frame, though seated, still commanded the space around him with undeniable power and presence. He rolled his chair forward with a determined expression, ignoring everyone except Ezra.
Kellan's face twisted in fury as he spat, "Bruce! You worthless cripple—what gives you the right to stop me?"
Bruce's cold laugh echoed across the hall as his sharp gaze cut through Kellan. "I have every right. I'm Ezra' fiancé. I'm Bruce."
Then, turning to Ezra with soft resolve, he said, "Ezra, I've come to take you home."
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