10:16 Wed, Nov 13 Chapter 247 94%

Jonathan stormed in, kicking them all. “What the heck are you guys up to? You scared Cynthia away! I’m going to send you all to work in the Savan mines!”

Bruce grinned. “We just wanted to show Cynthia our respect, Jon. Now that you’re married, she’s our new boss.”

Jonathan pretended to kick him again, but Bruce ducked behind Cynthia. “Cynthia, look! Jon’s bullying me!”

Cynthia understood their playful nature, mirroring Jonathan’s. She smiled, feeling more at ease.

After some banter, everyone went inside. The person on the sofa stood. “Ms. Sexton, long time no see,” Cynthia greeted her.

Celine, Tommy’s sister, had forgone studying abroad to come to Roncrity two months ago for Jonathan. They’d last met here. Celine looked grim, on the verge of exploding. “Did you two really get your marriage certificate?”

Jonathan casually produced it. “See for yourselves. Clear enough?”

Bruce lunged for it. “This is amazing! You’re the first of us to get married! Let me see!”

Jonathan quickly pocketed it. “Don’t get it dirty.”

Bruce snorted. “Can’t I even look?” He tattled to Cynthia, “Cynthia, look how Jon’s acting!”

Jonathan hooked his arm around Bruce’s neck. “Try being cute with Cynthia again, and see what happens.”

Cynthia saw a genuinely happy Jonathan, playfully roughhousing.

However, seeing the marriage certificate, Celine’s heart sank. Tommy had said Jonathan was married, but she’d disbelieved him and came to see for herself. Her teenage dreams shattered. She wanted to cry.

Jonathan was a dream for many Betrico socialites. Tears welled in her eyes. “So what if you’re married? People get divorced all the time!”

Jonathan’s face darkened. His cold gaze fixed on Celine. They were childhood sweethearts, closer than Celine was to Nina. But she’d never seen this cold stare.

“Celine, say that again!” His voice was icy.

Under his gaze, Celine was speechless. Tommy arrived, his face darkening.

10:16 Wed, Nov 13 Chapter 247 94%

“Celine, I only brought you because you promised not to cause trouble. If you ruin the atmosphere, go home now,” Tommy said sternly.

Celine knew Jonathan’s temper. She sat down reluctantly, resentful. Tommy and Bruce had organized fun activities. Cynthia joined in to keep the mood light. At the height of the fun, Celine took photos of Cynthia and Jonathan and posted them on Instagram: “Jonathan got his marriage certificate today. Congratulations to him!”

The post garnered many likes and comments:

[Is this for real? So fast?] [Did the Bennetts really accept Cynthia? I can’t believe it.] [When Mr. Bennett proposed on that show, no one thought they’d marry. Who would have thought?] [Celine, are you crying?] [Celine, your sadness is enough. Why make everyone else feel bad? We don’t want to know.]

Celine’s post caused a stir among Betrico socialites. Many despaired; others lashed out at Celine. Seeing their upset somewhat balanced her. But she’d posted it mainly for Nina.

Nina, from one of Betrico’s four major families, held slightly higher status. They’d been rivals since childhood. Though Celine knew Jonathan first, he’d favored Nina!

Despite Nina’s innocent demeanor, she had many loyal followers. Celine had suffered much at her hands.

Jonathan’s marriage would hit Nina hardest. Celine hadn’t gotten him, but Nina was close to becoming Mrs. Bennett. Being upstaged would infuriate her.

Celine, seeing no response from Nina, sent more photos. Nina was driving when she received them.

The photos felt like a chokehold. She opened Celine’s Instagram, saw the news and photos. She felt like she’d been hit by a sledgehammer. Fixated on the photos, she missed an S-curve and crashed into the guardrail.

Back in the private room, Cynthia said, “I need to use the restroom.”

Jonathan nodded. “We’ll leave when you get back.”

Cynthia left. In the hallway, she saw Lilian, leaning against the wall, gazing at her swollen belly, smiling contentedly.

The dim light gave a soft glow. If it weren’t Lilian, Cynthia would have found it beautiful.

Cynthia knew Lilian’s presence wasn’t coincidental. She walked toward her.

“Lilian, you really are a persistent ghost,” Cynthia said coldly, losing patience. “Are you spying on me?”

Cynthia didn’t know how Lilian knew her whereabouts, but the thought made her scalp tingle.

Lilian looked up, her eyes filled with emotion. “Cynthia, you really hate me, don’t you?”

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