Chapter 86

"Congratulations!"

"Welcome! Thank you for coming!" Ingrid beamed. Laughter filled the venue. Bruce, though unhappy, maintained a polite smile for the many guests.

Roxanne wore a white fishtail gown designed by a top Parisian designer. She looked elegant and graceful, adorned with a diamond-encrusted crown and matching jewelry. A large diamond ring sparkled on her finger. She was radiant and stunning, happily nestled beside Bruce.

On the large autograph wall, celebrities from various fields had signed. Below the stage, some girls gossiped enviously.

"Do you think Miss Haynes will come today?"

A girl in a black gown scoffed. "Impossible."

"No one would welcome her at an event like this," another girl in a red dress chimed in sarcastically. "Six years ago, she schemed to separate Mr. Everett and Miss Roxanne. How dare she show her face now?"

"What's so strange about that? Who wouldn't want a golden bachelor like Mr. Everett? As long as there's a chance, no one will give up," one whispered. "But Miss Roxanne and Mr. Everett are true love! No one can break them up!" "Shh, this is their engagement banquet. Let's not talk about this! It's rude," another hushed. "Let's drink!"

A high-quality buffet was served. Guests could eat and drink as much as they liked. It was the weekend; Davian and Irvin had returned to Greyport.

In a room, Irvin looked curiously at Davian, who was intently working on his computer, his face serious.

"Davian, how do you plan to mess with Bruce?"

Davian's face tightened. "I've been searching online. People claim Mommy tried to seduce Bruce. I've checked past news and I don't believe it. Mommy was wronged. Today, I'll clear her name."

A maturity beyond his years flickered across Davian's face as he spoke.

Irvin tilted his head. "Davian, what are you going to do?"

Davian quickly located a video. "This is footage from Bruce and that wicked woman's engagement party six years ago. The original surveillance video was destroyed, but I repaired it. I'll play this edited video at the banquet. Everyone will see Mommy didn't do anything wrong."

Irvin was awestruck. "Wow, Davian, you're amazing!"

Davian patted his chest, saying in a sweet voice, "I'm determined to be the best hacker! Whoever bullies Mommy will pay!"

At the engagement banquet, the MC enthusiastically addressed the guests.

"Now, let's watch a video of Mr. Everett proposing to Miss Roxanne."

A large screen displayed the proposal, accompanied by elegant music. Guests watched enviously.

"Wow, so romantic! Miss Roxanne is so lucky!"

"Mr. Everett even booked an island…"

Suddenly, the screen flickered and went black.

"What's going on?"

"Maybe a connection problem. Inform the backstage staff."

"Oh my god, this is the Victoria Hotel! How could this happen?"

Technicians rushed backstage. The screen flashed back on, but displayed a blurry video.

"What is this?"

"It's from the engagement six years ago," a guest recognized.

"Why is this playing now?"

Bruce's eyes darkened. "Andy, what's happening?" "Turn off the video!"

Andy's face paled. "There might be a hacker. I'll handle it."

Ingrid and Roxanne's expressions changed.

"MC, what's going on?" "Turn off the projection!"

Joanna's face appeared on screen. The sped-up, edited video clearly showed Joanna, a bridesmaid six years ago, receiving a drink from a waiter. She appeared to become intoxicated and was then carried, unconscious, into Bruce's room by a burly woman in a servant's uniform.

Silence fell over the banquet hall. Though the woman's face was unclear, it was evident Joanna had been drugged and sent to Bruce's room. She hadn't gone there willingly. Someone had planned it.

Ingrid's face drained of color. She had ordered the drugging, intending to ruin Joanna's reputation and prevent her from inheriting the Haynes Group.

Gasps filled the room.

"Oh my god…"

"We've misunderstood Miss Haynes all these years!"

"She was set up!"

Ingrid's expression shifted. "Who did this? This is an engagement banquet! Turn off the screen!"

Bruce was shocked. He'd hated Joanna for years, believing her guilty. He’d humiliated her. Now…

He loosened his tie and left the stage without a word.

"Bruce, where are you going?" Roxanne cried, chasing after him.

"I'm sorry!"

The staff cut the power. The screen went black.

"Bruce, where are you going?"

"I'm sorry, the engagement is off. I can't marry you."

Roxanne's heart sank. Ingrid also called out to him. Bruce, feeling frustrated, unbuttoned his jacket and left, despite pleas to stay.

Bruce left the hotel, Andy following closely.

"Andy, find the hacker. And find out who sent Joanna to my room six years ago. No matter the cost."

The engagement banquet dissolved into awkwardness. Roxanne wept. Ingrid and Shaun approached Margaret.

"Mrs. Everett, I'm sorry. Please enjoy yourselves."

"Mrs. Everett, what about the engagement?"

Margaret, looking unwell, said, "Let's wait for Bruce to decide." She left with her bodyguards.

"Mom, what do we do?" Ingrid raged, blaming Joanna. Derick echoed her anger.

Roxanne worried about the engagement. Ingrid blamed Roxanne. Shaun tried to calm them.

Ingrid's face hardened. She'd orchestrated the events six years ago, intending only to ruin Joanna's reputation. She deeply regretted her actions, wishing she could undo it all.