Chapter 272: Claim of Ownership

"Tak, tsk, tsk. Poor thing," Isabella complained. The others were unaware she was referring to Damien.

"Right? I feel sorry for Deborah, marrying such a man. I wish I could wreck their engagement party," Elaine chimed in boldly. "Maybe I should arrange for some handsome men to lure Deborah away—to prevent her from being picked up by this piece of trash."

"I don't think Deborah would pay you any attention," Roland stated.

Elaine scoffed. "She told me she and Oliver are only a couple in name. They're even planning to have kids through IVF."

"You're right. Deborah's a bit of a clean freak," Ines remarked.

This was news to Isabella, and she felt much better. Otherwise, she would have believed Deborah was a good girl ruined by something vile.

Watching their engagement ceremony and ring exchange was still nauseating. Finally, Oliver picked up the microphone.

"I'm thrilled to be engaged to Deborah, and I believe we're well on our way to a happy, forever marriage."

Isabella thought, He sure has a way with words! I assumed he'd act recklessly and embarrass himself.

Then, Oliver looked deeply into Deborah's eyes and announced, "Deborah, from this moment on, you are officially my fiancée." He hugged her.

Deborah found the statement odd. The emphasis on ownership made her uncomfortable. She assumed their relationship was purely professional, but she played along.

Isabella was speechless. Alexander, beside her, turned to Elaine. "Elaine, can I borrow your sunglasses?" Elaine's oversized sunglasses covered half her face. She hadn't removed them upon entering. She readily handed them to Alexander, who immediately helped Isabella put them on.

[Scene Break]

Chapter 272: Claim of Ownership

"There are reporters here," Alexander explained, clearly displeased.

Isabella was surprised. She wasn't afraid of being photographed; she'd encountered credentialed reporters at past events. However, there were no such reporters today, so she assumed the Winters family didn't employ them. Unauthorized photos could be used to fabricate stories and manipulate public opinion. Danielle had advised Isabella to cover her face in such situations. Unexpectedly, Isabella hadn't noticed the paparazzi, while Alexander, not even an artist, was more perceptive.

"Where are they?" she asked, keeping her sunglasses on.

"What? Paparazzi? How could the Winters family do this? They never gave a heads-up!"

The small group was taken aback.

Alexander frowned. "Damien didn't arrange this. It must have been Oliver. People are secretly filming at his business partners' table." They saw several people secretly filming.

"What on earth is Oliver up to? Why is he getting people to film him secretly?" Aiden was confused.

Alexander called Damien, informing him of the situation.

The ceremony concluded, and everyone toasted. Damien, upon receiving the message, sought out Lydia. Lydia immediately summoned Oliver.

"What's wrong? Can't I promote my own engagement party? You may think of my company as nothing, but I've put all my time and energy into running it, Mom."

Lydia felt helpless, observing her son's rebellious demeanor. She understood how to guide other children, but her own was a mess.

"Hmph! All you do is tattle to my mom. Just you wait."

Oliver often made such threats, but Damien ignored them.

Lydia massaged her temples. "Today's a special day, so don't stir up any trouble. If you insist on filming, don't film the guests." Oliver shrugged nonchalantly; he hadn't intended to film the guests.

Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. Then, remembering something, she asked Damien to leave, wanting to speak privately with Oliver. Oliver was impatient. "What?"

Lydia wanted to be warm but was unsure how to smile. "I know you've always been at odds with Damien, and I understand how you feel. But remember, we're mother and son. I can't favor Damien over you, but I've spent more effort on him because he has talent and can shoulder the family's responsibilities."

Oliver's expression turned glum. "So, I'm just not as good as him in your eyes, huh?"

Lydia didn't understand him. Her husband was largely invisible, yet Oliver seemed to resent this arrangement. Why the competition? Why was their son so aggressive?

"You have your own strengths. Besides, once Damien takes over, you'll be free to do whatever you want. That's not a bad deal, right?"

Oliver struggled to maintain composure. "So, they really are going to announce him as the heir today, and you've come to console me beforehand?"

"This was a decision made by the family elders."

Oliver couldn't accept this. He believed that if his mother had helped him instead of Damien, he would have been the heir. He believed in himself; others underestimated him, and Damien held him back.

"Don't blame me for dragging everyone down with me, then. Damien might not be as great as you think he is. Just make sure you won't regret choosing him." He walked away.

Damien reassured Alexander, who was understandably worried about Isabella, that the reporters wouldn't film the guests. Alexander still kept Isabella's sunglasses on.

"What's he playing at? Using this engagement party as a marketing tool? Is he really that career-oriented?" Elaine mocked.

"If they're not filming guests, why the secrecy?" Ines questioned.

"Something feels off," Aiden suspected.

Roland turned to Alexander. "Could they have been caught, and he came up with a lame excuse? They probably won't dare do it again."

Alexander furrowed his brows. "It can't be that simple. He must have an ulterior motive."

They needed to investigate.

Isabella thought: *Not only is Oliver having an affair at his engagement party, but he's planning something else? He invited those reporters to… catch him red-handed for the affair?