On the way to the engagement party, Jocelyn noticed several missed calls from Vanessa on her phone. There was also a text message:
"Jocelyn, as long as you agree to return for the engagement, I'll release your foster parents immediately."
Jocelyn sneered.
What did Vanessa and her mother think she was?
A mere tool?
Someone they could summon or dismiss at will.
While she intended to go through with the engagement, she had no plans to let Vanessa and her mother off easily.
As she arrived at the hotel, Vanessa was already waiting at the entrance.
The moment she stepped out of the car, Vanessa eagerly approached her. "Jo, you're finally here! Everyone is waiting for the star of the engagement party."
Jocelyn distanced herself from Vanessa in disgust. "I had no idea you were so invested in my marriage, Ms. Murray. Weren't you just trying to steal my fiancé and even willing to kill for it? Now you seem desperate to get rid of this hot potato."
"Let me guess, has something happened with the Romain family? Perhaps Brian—"
Jocelyn deliberately trailed off, not finishing her thought, but Vanessa's face turned grim.
"Jo, I was foolish to try to steal your engagement. Your father has already scolded us harshly. Can you—"
"Absolutely not!" Jocelyn interrupted coldly, her eyes filled with determination. "Vanessa, who do you think you are? You think you can decide who I marry?"
"I heard you spent over a million on cosmetic surgery for Kelly to replace me in the engagement. After such effort, it’s a bit late to back out now, isn’t it?"
Vanessa panicked and quickly offered an enticing deal. "Jo, if you continue with the engagement to Mr. Romain., I'll add an extra five million to your dowry. No, ten million! I'll add ten million."
Jocelyn laughed derisively. "Ten million to buy me for life? Vanessa, do you overestimate yourself or think I'm a fool?"
The Hemsworth family’s current fortune originally belonged to her mother.
Seamus had deceived her mother, seizing the company and bringing Vanessa and Kelly into their home, leaving Jocelyn and her mother destitute.
Now Vanessa wanted to use her mother’s money to buy her off.
Did she think she was dead?
"Where is Kelly? She’s been desperate to take this engagement. How can she back out now?"
Hearing Jocelyn's words, Vanessa dropped the pretense and revealed her true colors. "Jocelyn, you’re too naive. Do you really think you can escape? This engagement will happen whether you want it or not."
As Vanessa's sharp voice echoed, a group of black-clad bodyguards surrounded Jocelyn.
Vanessa didn’t believe a young girl like Jocelyn could escape from so many men.
However, Jocelyn remained unfazed, a cold smile on her face.
"I came prepared, Vanessa. But it's a shame you'll miss the real show upstairs."
"What do you mean?" Vanessa asked, a sense of foreboding rising in her.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Kelly, who was supposed to have left, had been brought back.
She wore a pure white strapless dress, and her delicate features, enhanced by makeup, made her look exactly like Jocelyn.
Brian was momentarily stunned when he saw her, “It’s her”.
But the light in his eyes quickly dimmed.
The face was the same, but the demeanor was vastly different, especially the panicked eyes that contrasted sharply with the girl he had seen earlier.
His eyes grew cold. Who was this woman, and why did she look exactly like her?
Seamus recognized Kelly instantly. He couldn't understand how she had been brought back when he had arranged for her to leave with Vanessa.
Before he could speak, Genesis pulled out a photo of Jocelyn, comparing it to Kelly.
"Isn't this Jocelyn?"
Genesis smiled elegantly, taking Kelly's hand and looking her over.
"Our Jo is truly beautiful. I fell in love with her at first sight."
"Don’t be frightened by Brian’s condition. He’s just injured and will recover soon.
Once you marry him, you’ll be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Romain family. You won’t suffer any hardships."
"What dowry do you require? If you have no objections, I’m willing to add another hundred million."
The original dowry agreed upon by the two families was already substantial. With this additional amount, the total dowry reached 180 million, not including precious jewelry.
No one expected Genesis to go to such great lengths to secure this engagement.
Despite Genesis's generous gesture, it would be untrue to say Kelly wasn't tempted. However, whenever she saw Brian sitting in a wheelchair, swathed in bandages, she couldn't help but feel a surge of fear.
What if he truly remains crippled, never able to stand again?
What if beneath those bandages, his face is covered with hideous and nauseating scars?
The mere thought of it made her feel sick to her stomach.
How could a man like that be worth her lifelong commitment?
Besides, the Romain family doesn't have only one heir; her aspiration to become Mrs. Romain doesn't necessarily have to be tied to Brian.
Kelly pushed Genesis away, shaking her head frantically. "No! I won’t marry him! I’d rather die than marry this cripple."
Kelly’s shrill voice drew everyone’s attention, causing an uproar. Genesis’s face darkened.
She didn’t expect the Hemsworth family to reject the engagement so publicly and insult her son.
Genesis, maintaining her composure, pointed at Kelly.
"Jocelyn! Think carefully. The Romain family’s interest in you is an honor. Do you really think Brian can’t find another bride? Countless noblewomen would line up to marry into our family."
Seamus, seeing things go awry, tried to smooth things over.
"Mother-in-law, this is a misunderstanding. The Romain family’s acceptance of us is a great fortune. We would never look down on the Romain family. Mr. Romain. is a young talent. We are honored by this engagement."
Seamus smiled obsequiously, explaining further. "Jo didn’t mean that. She’s just a young girl with a temper. I’ll talk to her."
"Jo, what’s wrong with you? Where are your manners? Apologize to Mrs. Romain and Mr. Romain. immediately."
Seamus scolded, signaling to Kelly, who quickly understood.
The engagement was with Jocelyn, not her.
She now wore Jocelyn's face, and the Romain family had accepted her as Jocelyn.
Regardless of whether Jocelyn showed up today, once the engagement banquet concluded, it would be a done deal.
At that point, even if Jocelyn wanted to back out, she wouldn't be able to.
Kelly wouldn't actually have to marry Brian, the crippled man.
A smile curved on Kelly's lips as she prepared to offer her apologies, but just then, a round of applause echoed from the entrance of the banquet hall.
"Bravo, truly entertaining!"
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the entrance, where a casually dressed young woman walked in gracefully. Her face was identical to that of the "Jocelyn" wearing the cocktail dress, yet her aura was entirely different—detached and cool, exuding an air of aloofness that starkly contrasted with the impression "Jocelyn" had given.
Brian’s eyes lit up with recognition and admiration.
She was here.
The real Jocelyn had finally here.