Chapter 13%
Katie twirled around her bedroom, clutching the expensive gold–embossed invitation to her chest like it was a dream come true.
An invitation from the Brown family. The very family every influential circle whispered about with envy.
She squealed with excitement, rushing downstairs to find her father.
“Dad!” she called, waving the letter in the air. “Look!“}
Her father lowered his newspaper, frowning until he saw the seal on the envelope. Then his face broke into a proud, satisfied smile.}
“Good girl,” he said, standing to pat her shoulder. “This is it, Katie. The best opportunity you could ever have. Win over the young master, and you’ll secure your future forever.”
Katie grinned so widely her cheeks hurt.}
“I will,” she said confidently. “I’ll make him fall for me. Just wait and see.“}
Her mind already spun with images–Expensive dresses, a sparkling ring, and a future as the wife of one of the most powerful men alive.
She didn’t need Cameron anymore. Still, she noticed his absence over the past few days.
He hadn’t been hovering around her like he used to. Hadn’t answered any of her calls or texts.
Katie frowned, dialing his number again. Straight to voicemail.
“Maybe he’s mad,” she muttered to herself. “Maybe he finally realized I’m moving up without him.“}
She shrugged it off quickly.
Cameron wasn’t her problem anymore. She had bigger things to focus on.}
What Katie didn’t know was that Cameron hadn’t disappeared because of pride. He had vanished because he now knew everything.”
He was the one who had arranged the grand banquet hosted by the Brown family–Not to meet Katie. Not to impress society.”
But to reveal himself. To everyone.}]
He would no longer hide who he was. No more fake identities. No more playing games.
The entire elite circle was invited. Especially the Reid family. Because he knew Lily was tied to them now.
And if the Reid family came- If Lily came- Then he would finally have the chance to stand in front of her again.
And this time, he wouldn’t let her slip away.
As the banquet preparations moved swiftly, Cameron’s men scoured the city.
Every lead. Every whisper.
But Nathan returned with bad news.
“Young Master,” Nathan said hesitantly. “We cannot locate Miss Lily.”
Cameron’s hands clenched tightly into fists.
“What do you mean you can’t find her?” he growled.
Nathan flinched. “The Reid family has hidden her well. She’s completely protected. We can’t even trace her phone or bank records. It’s as if… they’re keeping her existence secret until the marriage.”
Cameron cursed under his breath. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He slammed his fist against the table, frustration boiling inside him.”
“Then I’li force them to come out,” he muttered darkly. “I’ve already sent the invitation to the Reid family. They’re close to my father. They won’t refuse.“@
This banquet wasn’t just a public reveal. It was a trap. A desperate chance to pull Lily back into his world before it was too late.
Meanwhile, in the quiet Reid estate–Lily sat on the edge of a small sofa, turning the thick, elegant envelope over in her hands.
The seal of the Brown family glinted under the chandelier light.
She hadn’t expected anything like this. Not now. Not with her wedding so close.>
The Reid family’s matriarch entered the room, smiling warmly.
“Lily,” she said gently, “we received an invitation from the Brown family. A very important event. We would like you to attend on behalf of the Reid family.””
Lily looked up, startled. “Me?”
The matriarch nodded. “It would be good for you. Show your face. Make connections.”
Lily swallowed hard.”
Of course. It made sense politically.
But deep down, she knew the real reason for her hesitation.
Cameron. If the Brown family was involved…
If this was the kind of event Cameron moved in…
There was a real chance she would see him again.”
Did she want that? Did she want to look into the eyes of the man who had tossed her aside like she was nothing?”
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the invitation.”
Part of her–the wounded, aching part–wanted to hide. To never risk seeing him again.”
But another part–stronger colder–wanted to stand tall
12:16 PM
But another part–stronger, colder–wanted to stand tall.
To show him he didn’t break her. Lily closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply #
She had survived everything they threw at her.
Maybe it was time she showed them all exactly how much she had changed,
Slowly, she stood.N
“I’ll go,” she said quietly.
But inside her heart, a silent war raged.N
Was she ready to face the past?N
Was she ready to face Cameron?
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