Chapter 22: Not the Only One

“Are they having an argument?”

“Judging by Luna’s expression, I don’t think she’s lying.”

“Even if Thomas is despicable, he’s the young master of the Walker family. Is there any need for him to fabricate such lies?”

“Luna has already threatened to sue him. Is there any doubt?”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, finding the circumstances incomprehensible.

Thomas hadn’t expected Luna to deny it so readily, instantly infuriating him. “How dare you deny it! No wonder you were so afraid of the Quirk family discovering your previous relationship with me—their future daughter-in-law! That’s why you hid our relationship, never daring to make it public. So this was your plan all along, waiting for me! Do you think you can pretend we were never together? Dream on! Luna, you’d better be grateful for my current restraint. Otherwise, if I reveal everything, you’ll be left with no dignity! I know all the things you’ve been hiding!”

Luna remained unfazed. She laughed mockingly. “Go ahead and say it, then. I’d like to see who’ll be embarrassed in the end!”

Her gaze swept over Bianca. As expected, Bianca looked flustered.

“You!” Thomas exclaimed, enraged.

Seeing the argument escalate, Henry worried they might say something inappropriate. He quickly pulled Luna aside.

“What’s gotten into you? Stop this tantrum. You might not care about your reputation, but we, the Cowell family, certainly do!”

Marjorie stepped forward, taking Luna’s hand. “If you ruin this joyful occasion, who will want you in the future? Now, apologize to Thomas properly.”

She smiled and apologized to Nadia and her husband. “Our daughter has a bit of a temper, but she’ll mature after marriage. Please bear with her.”

Nadia and her husband disdained the ill-reputed Luna, but they had no choice. Thomas was notorious, his reputation even worse. Comparatively, they were well-matched. Given their similar social standing, a marriage seemed natural.

“Luna seems strong-willed, but that’s alright. They’ll adjust to each other after marriage.”

Before the elders could exchange pleasantries, Luna interrupted.

“What? Are we disregarding personal wishes and violating human rights now?” she mocked. She shook off her parents’ hands as if breaking free from shackles.

The people around were shocked by Luna’s harsh words. Henry and Marjorie’s unreasonableness was clear to the Quirk family; Luna was clearly unwilling, yet her parents persisted. The Cowell family, however, remained oblivious. Henry finally reacted, angrily retorting, “How dare you speak to us like that? You’re being increasingly disrespectful! Is this how you talk to your parents?”

Marjorie’s tone shifted, as though wronged. She lamented, “You’re reckless and impulsive! We’re doing this for your best interests. You’re being ungrateful. You’ve been involved with Thomas; regardless of any falling out, a relationship exists. Now that he wants to marry you, how can you be reluctant? Listen to us. Sit down and settle this.”

Luna sneered. “I’m an adult now. You can’t make decisions for me.”

Luna was usually cold and indifferent, but she always tried to accommodate their wishes. This current defiance left Henry and Marjorie speechless and astounded.

“Have you lost your mind? We’re your parents!” Henry exclaimed, shocked.

Luna scoffed. “As if you were just Bianca’s parents.”

Her remark stunned Henry and Marjorie.

“Shut up!”

“What nonsense are you spouting, you rebellious girl!”

The Quirk family felt Henry and Marjorie were covering up their misdeeds. Luna refused to yield out of filial piety. She made it clear: “I don’t know this man. You didn’t believe me and insisted on this marriage. Are you afraid of ruining my life? What’s wrong? You trust a stranger’s words more than your daughter? And you still claim to be my parents?”

“That’s because you have a habit of lying. It’s our fault for not believing you.”

Isabella’s sarcastic remark caught David and Simon off guard. Even Evian, quietly enjoying the drama, nearly choked. Everyone looked at her.

Alexander responded nonchalantly, “It all comes down to who is more trustworthy, Ms. Luna or Mr. Thomas.”

Everyone was stunned, reminded of Thomas’s questionable past. Compared to him, Luna…

Henry’s expression stiffened. Alexander held significant authority. As soon as he spoke, everyone became skeptical.

Thomas was instantly provoked. Seeing Luna’s expression, he laughed exasperatedly. Recklessly, he glared at Luna and said, “You brought this upon yourself?”

He rushed to a nearby media player. The device, originally showing pictures of Callahan and Evian, was connected to a phone. A series of intimate, almost risqué photos appeared on the big screen.

Most pictures were taken in a hotel bed. The woman's expression was alluring. It was impossible to imagine Luna, poker-faced, behaving this way. The final picture showed a kiss.

Everyone gasped. This was solid proof of Thomas and Luna's involvement.

“Hmm, I practically wore you out in bed, yet you still won’t admit it?” Thomas said, menacingly.

Luna laughed uncontrollably.

Christopher stared at the photograph, his face ashen. He immediately knew Luna couldn't have had that expression. If not Luna, who was it? Isabella’s echoing thoughts effectively silenced any rebuttal.

How unexpected! Bianca’s wild private life was unbelievable. Seeing how convincingly she portrayed the innocent damsel, she was worthy of being a top actress. Christopher had been isolated for three months without contacting Bianca. If it was truly Bianca, she must have impersonated Luna for her flings, letting Luna take the blame.

Christopher felt his world crumbling. He had been believing lies.

“These are all fake,” Luna said, her laughter subsiding.

“Fake? You’re not implying this photo is photoshopped, are you, Luna? You really are—”

“The pictures are real, but the person is fake.” Luna looked at Bianca. “That face isn’t only mine. Next time, be clear about who you’re sleeping with, Mr. Thomas. Just because someone says they’re someone else doesn’t mean they are!”

Thomas was stunned. Everyone fell silent. Luna’s statement implied Bianca, the innocent daughter of the Cowell family, was the woman in the picture. Even Thomas doubted it at first glance. Henry and Marjorie were losing their minds.