Brian Romain's name was famous, but she had never met him in person.
Rumor had it that he was not only handsome and wealthy, but also a returnee with a Ph.D. Now he was the newly appointed head of the Romain family, and countless women were said to be enamored with him.
If it weren't for the old master of the Romain family who, before his death, still remembered his old engagement with Jocelyn's mother over a decade ago, how could the Hemsworth family have a chance to connect with the Romain family?
However, as soon as Kelly stepped out of the private room, she heard a lot of sighs and noise coming from the banquet hall.
Then came a heart-wrenching cry that echoed all around.
"My son! How did you get like this?" Genesis's eyes were full of tears, his face was full of shock.
She saw the originally handsome and noble Brian sitting in a wheelchair with his whole body wrapped in gauze, and there were mottled bloodstains.
With such injuries, this person is probably disabled.
Kelly was so frightened that her legs went weak, and she fell into Vanessa's arms.
This is the person in charge of the Romain family — Brian Romain?
The person she was willing to pretend to be engaged to?
"Son, tell mom, who hurt you so much?" Genesis's eyes were full of pain.
Today is his son's engagement day. How did it become like this?
"Is it the good work of your second uncle?"
Genesis's voice just fell, and the second uncle of the Romain family, Maverick, couldn't sit still and was anxious to clean himself up.
"Sister-in-law, you can eat casually, but you can't talk nonsense. Brian is my own nephew, and I can't do anything to him."
"Brian, your second uncle has always been the most affectionate to you since childhood. You have to speak for your second uncle."
Brian's cold and distant demeanor made him seem aloof.
Though his benevolent uncle appeared kind on the surface, one could only speculate about the underhanded tactics he'd employed to prevent Brian from returning to take over the Romain Group.
It was all for a position of power, nearly costing Brian his life.
Had it not been for that girl today, he might have met a grim fate.
Brian's lips curved into a cold smile as he spoke, "Uncle, you're absolutely right. The Romain family is known for its harmony; there's certainly no room for tales of a nephew and uncle at odds."
His words were laced with irony.
However, Maverick feigned ignorance, responding in a sarcastic tone to Genesis, "Brian is absolutely right. It's a pity that our elder sister has lived for so many years yet failed to understand such simple truths."
"You—" Genesis was seething with anger, but Brian stopped him.
Brian's gaze, as deep and intimidating as an abyss, fell upon Maverick. "According to you, Uncle, who could be responsible for the attack on me?"
"Regardless of who it is, anyone who dares to harm a member of the Romain family is my enemy. Rest assured, Uncle, I will seek justice for you," Maverick declared righteously. If Brian didn't know his uncle's true nature, he might have believed him.
Brian's cold lips curled into a smile, his tone carrying a hint of menace. "Then I must thank you, Uncle!"
"We're family; there's no need for thanks," Maverick replied, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he took in Brian's bandaged appearance.
With injuries like these, how could Brian possibly compete with his son for the position of power?
Before coming, Maverick had already inquired with the hospital. Brian's leg was broken, his face disfigured; he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
His presence at the engagement banquet was merely a bluff, an attempt to convince everyone he was unscathed.
Maverick's tone suddenly softened with concern, "Brian, in your condition, why did you insist on attending the engagement banquet? You don't want to frighten Miss Hemsworth, do you?"
Although the Hemsworth family wasn't at the pinnacle of high society, they held a certain status within it.
Now that Brian was disabled, it was only a matter of time before he would be ousted from his position of power. How could he be a suitable match for the Hemsworth family?
Most importantly, this marriage was arranged at the behest of the late Mr. Romain Jr., who had always favored Brian. Maverick suspected there was more to this engagement than met the eye.
The Hemsworth family must possess some exceptional quality to have caught Mr. Romain Jr..'s attention.
Brian dismissed Maverick's concern with a wave of his hand, "It's nothing. Just minor injuries; how could I let them delay the engagement?"
His indifference only confirmed Maverick's suspicions about the engagement's significance.
Maverick pretended to be worried, "Brian, these aren't minor injuries. The doctors said your leg is beyond repair, and the scars on your face are permanent. Now isn't the time to act rashly. The engagement can wait; your recovery should be the priority."
Kelly, who had been silently listening, felt her hands and feet grow cold.
Disabled? Disfigured?
What about her future?
She clutched her mother Vanessa's arm tightly, "Mom, I can't marry Brian. Marrying him would ruin my life."
Kelly had once been eager to marry Brian, captivated by his wealth and position as the head of the Romain Group.
But now that he was disabled, how could he hold onto his position?
And his disfigurement—she couldn't bear the thought of facing such a monstrous appearance every day.
Vanessa was also alarmed. She hadn't expected that her carefully laid plans would almost land her daughter in a disastrous marriage.
She quickly took out her phone and called Jocelyn.
If Jocelyn agreed to return, she would gladly relinquish her position as Mrs. Romain.
However, there was no answer on the other end.
At that moment, Jocelyn had already tracked down the location where her foster parents were being held, using the threatening video Vanessa had sent her. It was an unfinished building near the sea.
Vanessa had only left two guards.
Jocelyn's eyes narrowed, and she suddenly sprang into action, swiftly pouncing on one of the burly men.
Before he could react, a syringe was plunged into his chest.
The potent anesthetic took effect immediately, and the man collapsed.
The other man, realizing what had happened, launched a fierce attack on Jocelyn, but she deftly dodged and injected him in the back of the neck.
With the two men quickly subdued, Jocelyn freed her foster parents. Her voice, filled with concern, asked, "Dad, Mom, are you alright?"
Amir's gruff voice responded, "I'm fine; it's just your mom who got a bit scared."
Rita's eyes were red from crying, clearly shaken, but she shook her head and said, "Jo, don't listen to your father. We're fine. Your stepmother just wanted to use us to threaten you; she wouldn't dare really harm us.
But you—I've heard she sent a driver specifically to pick you up, to prevent you from attending the engagement banquet. I'm worried she might try something on the way."
Rita's worries were justified; Vanessa indeed had such plans.
But Jocelyn was not one to be trifled with. She hugged her mother, "Mom, don't worry. I'm fine, aren't I?"
After comforting Rita, her worried heart finally settled. Jocelyn gently pushed Rita into Amir's arms, her gaze turning cold. "Dad, take Mom home. I have a very important matter to attend to."