Chapter 57
The soft, sweet music swelled, and the lights in the hall dimmed Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd, but all eyes turned to the entrance as Calen Weiss strode inside, his confident steps drawing immediate attention. The spotlight followed him as he made his way toward the stage, his eyes fixed on Izzy.
Izzy’s jaw tightened as he approached, but she held her composure, her expression unreadable. She watched as Calen climbed the steps, reaching her in seconds. He stopped, then knelt on one knee, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket. Gasps and murmurs filled the room as he opened it, revealing an exquisite diamond ring.
“Isabella,” Calen said, his gaze unwavering. “These past three years have been the most incredible of my life. You’ve stood by me through thick and thin, and I know I’ve made mistakes. But every moment I’ve spent with you has reminded me of how special you are. You’re not just my partner–you’re my inspiration, my anchor, and the reason I strive to be better every day.”
Izzy narrowed her eyes slightly, but she said nothing. The
leaned
in, eager to see what would happen next.
“I know I hurt you when I missed our anniversary,” Calen continued. “But that wasn’t because I didn’t care. It was because I was planning this–this moment, where I could show you just how much you mean to me. Isabella Rossi, will you marry me?”
The room erupted into cheers and applause. Many of the guests stood, clapping and smiling as they waited for Izzy’s response. She, however, remained still, her expression guarded. Slowly, her gaze shifted from Calen to the audience. She noticed CEO Weiss looking pleased, and the businessmen who had praised her earlier were visibly excited.
Then her eyes found Liam. He stood calmly near the edge of the room, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips. He didn’t seem the least bit surprised by the spectacle unfolding before them.
Izzy’s attention snapped back to Calen, who was still kneeling with a gentle smile on his face. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer, the screen behind her flickered to life.
The guests‘ cheers quieted as the music faded, replaced by the grainy opening of a video. At first, it was unclear what was being shown, but then the image sharpened. Calen appeared on the screen, laughing as he leaned in close to a woman. The woman’s face became clear–Monica.
Gasps rippled through the room as the video continued. It showed Calen and Monica at a private dinner, their gestures intimate, their laughter unmistakably familiar. The footage changed, showing the two of them walking hand in hand through a hotel lobby. In another clip, Monica was seated on Calen’s lap, whispering something in his ear.
The hall fell silent, the weight of the images settling over the crowd like a heavy blanket. Izzy’s lips tightened, her eyes narrowing as she turned back to Calen, who had gone pale. He slowly rose to his feet, his expression shifting from confusion to alarm.
“This.. this isn’t-” Calen began, but the damage was done. The murmurs from the crowd grew louder, some whispering, others openly discussing what they had just seen.
Izzy took a step back, her composure unshaken despite the turmoil around her. Her gaze hardened as she stared at Calen. “Was this part of your grand plan too?” she asked, her tone cutting. “Is this how you show me… how you love me?”
Calen opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. Before he could muster a response, a sharp crack echoed through the hall as CEO Weiss slapped him across the face. The room, already in chaos, fell into stunned silence once more.
“How dare you!” CEO Weiss shouted, his face livid. “How dare you cheat on Isabella? After everything she has done for you!”
Calen staggered slightly from the force of the slap, his hand instinctively going to his cheek. His expression was a mix of shock and desperation. “Father, it’s not true!” he exclaimed. “This a setup! Someone’s trying to frame me!”
Izzy remained rooted in place, her gaze icy as she watched him cramble for an explanation. Originally, she wanted to seveal the video in front of everyone else, revealing how Calen heated on her. Calen’s proposal was unexpected. However, it
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Chapter 57
only made her plans even better. At this point, she could
help but wonder if Liam knew about this in advance.
E
“Isabella, you have to believe me!” Calen turned to her, his hand outstretched as if reaching for her. “This video—it’s fake! It’s doctored! I would never betray you. You’re the only one I value. The only one I love!”
As the words left his mouth, the screen behind him flickered again, drawing everyone’s attention. A new video began playing, showing Calen in a dimly lit room with Monica draped across his lap.
The audio was sharp. Monica leaned in, her lips brushing against his before pulling back slightly and asking, “So, who’s better? Izzy or me?”
Without hesitation, Calen grinned and replied, “You, of course. It’s always been you, Monica.”
The hall erupted into chaos.
The crowd gasped, and the murmurs turned into outright disbelief. Calen’s pale complexion turned ghostly as his eyes darted between the screen and the stunned faces around him.
“Turn it off?” he shouted, his voice frantic as he spun toward the technicians at the back of the room. “Turn that off right now!”
But the damage was irreversible. The hall descended into chaos, with whispers, accusations, and disapproving stares directed at Calen.
Calen’s father seemed to be ready to slap Calen again while his wife, Cecil Weiss, who had been watching the scene unfold with growing horror, swayed on her feet. Her face drained of color as she clutched her chest before collapsing to the floor.
“Mother!” Calen cried, rushing to her side as several people moved to help. “Mother, please, wake up!”
“Call a doctor!” someone shouted, and a few guests hurriedly pulled out their phones.
Izzy remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the spectacle before her. Her expression betrayed no emotion, only a quiet detachment that contrasted sharply with the turmoil around her.
Liam approached her, stepping close enough to offer his support without speaking. Izzy glanced at him briefly, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I want to leave,” she said simply.
Liam nodded and extended his arm toward her. “Let’s go.”
As they turned to leave, Calen scrambled to his feet, ignoring the frantic efforts of others to tend to his mother. “Izzy! Wait! Please, listen to me! This isn’t what it looks like!”
“Not what it looks like?” Izzy snorted, her steps faltering. Then, without a second thought, she slapped him across the face, the sharp sound echoing through the room.
“You–You slapped-” Calen started.
SLAP!
Her hand connected again. “Monica is my cousin, Calen! My cousin! And you’re sleeping with her? The woman I trusted the most!” Her voice rose, trembling with fury. “When did it start? When did you start betraying me? Tell me!”
“What?” Calen stammered, his eyes wide with panic. “Izzy, I-”
“When did it start?” Izzy yelled, her voice cutting through the noise around them.
“It’s not what it seems, Izzy! Monica–she tricked me! She seduced me! I swear, I never wanted this!” Calen’s voice cracked with desperation
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Izzy’s laugh was sharp, filled with cold contempt. “Tricked you? Seduced you? How convenient. You’re a disgusting pig, Calen. Pathetic!” She stepped closer, her voice unwavering. “Stop blaming Monica. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself!”
Calen reached out toward her. “Izzy, please, just listen to me. I didn’t mean-
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Izzy snapped, her voice icy She turned to Liam, her anger giving way to quiet resolve. “Take me out of here. Now.”
Without hesitation, Liam stepped forward. Ignoring the shocked stares of the crowd, he scooped Izzy into his arms with an ease that left even her momentarily stunned.
For a brief moment, Izzy froze. But she quickly regained her composure, resting her arms around Liam’s neck as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Calen’s face twisted with shock and fury. He took a step toward them. “Put her down! Izzy, you can’t just leave like this! Izzy let me explain!”
Before he could move any further, CEO Weiss’s voice rang out sharply from across the room. “Calen! Stop embarrassing yourself and help the medical team with your mother!” His tone left no room for argument, and he gestured toward the approaching paramedics.
Calen hesitated, his gaze darting between his father and Izzy, who remained in Liam’s arms. Finally, he turned on his heel and rushed to his mother’s side as the paramedics prepared her for transport.
Liam didn’t wait for another second. He carried Izzy toward the exit, his steps steady and purposeful. The flurry of whispers and stares followed them, but neither of them seemed to care.
As the doors closed behind them, shutting out the chaos of the hall, Izzy let out a Liam, who hadn’t said a word. He continued carrying her as if she weighed nothing at all.
slow, measured breath. She glanced up at
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