Chapter 171: Megan’s shock

Words : 1105 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 171: Megan’s shock Dimitri raised his glass. "We, the Beaumonts, welcome Augustine and his wife into our family." His voice rang across the grand hall. "I expect you all will bless them." A moment of stunned silence hung in the air before Denis began to clap. One by one, the guests followed, applause swelling around Augustine and Anne as they stood at the center of attention. From across the room, Megan stood frozen, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. Her eyes darted from Dimitri to Augustine, then to Anne, as though searching for some sign that this was a cruel joke. "What the hell is happening?" she wondered, utterly bewildered. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as she saw Dimitri smiling. Even Gabriel and Jeanne looked genuinely pleased. "So, Anne is really Augustine’s wife?" Megan muttered, still stunned. "But when? How? And why did Dimitri send the marriage proposal to me if Augustine was already married?" A wave of nausea rose in her throat, mixed with fury and humiliation. She felt as though the floor had been ripped from under her feet. Jealousy ignited within her like a spark catching fire. She clasped the glass tightly and downed the wine in one long, bitter gulp. With a sharp clink, she slammed the empty glass onto the tray of a passing waiter and strode out of the room, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Congratulations, Anne," Jeanne said with a polished smile. "The entire city now knows you are one of us. That means the family’s reputation is in your hands." Her voice was sweet, her expression warm—but beneath that charming facade, Anne caught the unmistakable glimmer of contempt in Jeanne’s eyes. Anne held her own, her lips curling into a graceful smile that gave nothing away. "Thank you, Jeanne," she replied smoothly. "I’ll keep that in mind." Augustine’s arm slipped around her waist, drawing her close. His steady presence and quiet strength grounded her. With him by her side, she had nothing to fear. Tania stood by the dais, watching Anne with narrowed eyes. Her painted lips twisted into a bitter smirk. ’That smile won’t last,’ Tania thought darkly. Her gaze drifted upward to the grand chandelier suspended above the center of the hall. The flicker of menace that passed through her expression was fleeting, but unmistakable. Something wicked stirred behind that smile. Dimitri’s voice echoed once more across the grand hall, commanding attention. "Now, I’d like to call my elder grandson, Denis, and his girlfriend Tania to come up." Denis turned to Tania, extending his hand. Tania took it eagerly, her face radiant with delight as they ascended the dais together. A swell of applause surged through the room, louder than before. Guests murmured with each other, a buzz of excitement rippling across the crowd. "The couple may now exchange rings," Dimitri announced. Denis slid the ring onto Tania’s finger, and she did the same. The hall erupted into thunderous applause yet again. Flashbulbs flickered, cheers rose, and all eyes were on the smiling couple as they stood center stage, basking in the glow of their engagement. But off to the side, Anne’s expression hardened. She stared at Tania with cold disgust. The sight of Tania playing the innocent made her stomach churn. She shifted her gaze to Augustine, hoping to find a flicker of contempt in his face. Instead, he wore a knowing smirk, one that only deepened her confusion. ’What is he waiting for?’ she wondered. ’Why hasn’t he said anything yet?’ Unable to hold it in any longer, Anne leaned in and whispered, "How long are you going to keep it a secret? Are you even planning to expose her?" Disappointment darkened her eyes, and Augustine saw it clearly. He chuckled softly, amused by her impatience. "Restless, aren’t you? But I promise, it’ll all be over soon." He lifted her chin gently and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, full of reassurance. Denis caught sight through his peripheral vision. His grip on Tania’s hands tightened unconsciously. Augustine kissed Anne, not caring about the hall full of guests. The sight struck Denis like a blow to the chest. His heart clenched, rage simmering beneath his skin. ’How dare he?’ he muttered to himself. Augustine wasn’t even trying to be discreet. In front of the whole hall, he was flaunting the intimacy with Anne as if the world didn’t matter. For a moment, he couldn’t move. All he wanted to do was storm across the dais, pull Anne away from Augustine, and claim what he still believed was his. Tania, sensing something was off, followed his line of sight. When her eyes fell on Anne and Augustine, her stomach knotted. Tania’s smile faltered, replaced by a surge of bitterness. "Denis," she murmured, tugging at his hands, "everyone is watching us." Her words broke his trance. Denis swallowed hard, shoving the anger back down. A tight, mechanical smile stretched across his face as he turned to the guests. Tania mirrored it, though she felt hollow in her chest. Anne placed both hands firmly against Augustine’s chest and gently pushed him back. "What are you doing?" she whispered, her cheeks burning with heat. She glanced around the grand hall, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes even if none were actually looking. Augustine only grinned, entirely unfazed. His gaze lingered on her face, amused by the pink tint spreading across her skin. "Why embarrassing?" he murmured teasingly, leaning in again. "I’m just kissing my wife. Who is going to object?" His lips hovered near hers, playful and bold. But before he could close the distance again, Anne quickly turned on her heel and hurried away. A shy smile tugged at her lips, despite her best effort to suppress it, her heart fluttering. Augustine watched with quiet satisfaction, his smirk deepening. He had gotten exactly the reaction he wanted. Nathan had been standing on the sidelines of the hall, his eyes following Anne ever since she walked in with Augustine. He had been quietly waiting for the right moment, hoping for a chance to catch her alone. When he finally saw her by herself, he believed the opportunity had come to approach her. He plucked a wine glass from the tray of a passing waiter, adjusting his jacket as he made his way toward her, heart thudding with nervous anticipation. But just as he was about to close the distance, a woman intercepted Anne. Nathan froze mid-step, his brows tightening. He stood a few feet away, lifting the wine glass to his lips and taking a slow sip.

Chapter 171: Megan’s shock

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