"Maya! You look gorgeous today, congratulations!" Ella Turner, seeing Maya Spencer, spread her arms wide and gave her a big hug.
"Thank you!" Maya Spencer graciously accepted the blessings, completely forgetting that this was all a farce.
"Sweetie, happy engagement." Christopher Scott said, handing over his gift and asking for a hug.
On the side, Liam Spencer, seeing Christopher trying to hug Maya, immediately reached out to push him away, keeping him distant from Maya.
"Petty." Christopher rolled his eyes at someone, displeased.
After a while, the two finished greeting the guests and headed backstage.
Though it was just an engagement party, it was still grand, with a ceremony taking place.
In the lounge, Ella Turner stayed by Maya’s side, comforting her and reassuring her not to be nervous.
Three years ago, Maya wouldn’t have been nervous. But now, she inexplicably felt anxious, fearing that any mistake might affect the quality of the banquet.
"Maya, don’t be nervous. All you have to do is smile more, leave the speech to your third brother."
"Okay!" Maya nodded, but remembering the thousands outside blessing them, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Vaguely, she felt that after the engagement party, she would be tied to Liam Spencer for life, unable to separate.
She took a deep breath, tightly holding Ella’s small hand, and frowned, saying: "Ella, no matter how I look at it, it feels like it’s not just an act. Did I do something wrong?"
"Maya, it’s too late to talk nonsense now. Besides, your third brother treats you well. If it’s not an act, just try developing the relationship; maybe you’re suitable for each other." Days ago, when Ella met Liam again, she noticed that the two were not just simply acting.
If it were only an act, Liam’s gaze wouldn’t be so deep.
Since he sincerely wants to give Maya a title, why not go along with it and see if she marries right?
"I’m so confused." At the final moment, Maya was truly bewildered.
At this point, she started considering whether she was being reckless or had gone too far.
"Leave it to your third brother, focus on smiling more."
"Miss Hanson, are you ready? You’re about to take the stage." At this moment, the host opened the door to the lounge, notifying Maya to prepare to go on stage.
"Alright!" Maya pretended to be calm as she replied.
"Maya, you got this!" Ella encouraged Maya while helping her up from the chair and leading her to the stage.
At this moment, every crystal in the Crystal Palace emitted dazzling light, illuminating the palace beautifully as if it were a castle from a fairy tale.
The host announced the start of the engagement ceremony, declaring today’s main characters.
However, Maya panicked. She looked around, searching the crowd, but couldn’t see Liam Spencer’s figure.
Earlier, before going to the lounge, they were together. As the ceremony was about to begin, Liam still wasn’t beside her, causing Maya to become anxious unintentionally.
She signaled to Ella, asking if she’d seen Liam.
Ella searched the banquet hall but still couldn’t see any sign of Liam.
Then, she mouthed ’surprise’ to Maya, who was relieved, thinking Liam had prepared some special program.
But as the host finished his speech and announced the soon-to-be wedded couple to take the stage, Liam still did not appear.
Caught off guard, Maya stood on the crystal platform like a fool, waiting for Liam to come to her.
At this point, the host was also nervous; according to the script, Liam should have been leading Maya in, but where was he? Why hadn’t he shown up?
He smiled, trying to lighten the mood: "Oh! Our third young master is being too playful, hiding from his fiancée. Now, let’s play a game—if anyone can find him in the crowd and bring him to the bride-to-be, she’ll have a big gift to offer!"
Unaware of the truth, the crowd started bustling, all searching for Liam.
But when Maya was lifted by machinery to the crystalline stage, she was utterly stunned.
What exactly was going on? At this moment, wasn’t Liam supposed to be by her side? Why had the engagement ceremony turned into hers alone?
She recalled their intimate afternoon when he even mentioned collaboration was enjoyable. Was this moment the end of their collaboration?
Maya took a deep breath, standing high on the stage, waiting for someone to appear.
Yet, deep down, a voice told her he wouldn’t come, that he was merely playing with her, just trying to embarrass her publicly.
Maya gently closed her eyes, tightly clenching her small hands into fists.
Standing alone on the stage, she angrily muttered to herself, "Liam, if you dare play with me, I won’t spare you."
At this point, all the sweetness associated with him faded, leaving only memories of his bullying, only his sarcastic retort asking if she really thought he’d marry her.
Remembering his roughness in the bathroom, recalling him saying he’d make her miscarry enough, she was utterly confused, filled with nothing but hate.
Her eyes stared blankly at the audience below, it all seemed like a dream, very unreal.
His sudden disappearance made her extremely angry, making her forget the good in him and the pleasant interactions they had over the past few days.
At the same time, she loathed herself more, hated herself for being bewitched enough to go to the engagement party site.
She wanted to leave the stage, to announce that everything was just a farce, all fake. But she feared the reporters’ inquiries.
Afraid they’d ask where Liam was? Why was she alone at the engagement party? Why were they deceiving everyone?
So, she could only foolishly remain high above, not allowing anyone to see her mess, nor the hint of disappointment in her eyes.
In the crowd, Christopher and Lucas made a commotion, none could understand why Liam suddenly vanished.
Elijah Reed had already dispatched bodyguards to search every corner for Liam’s figure, yet there was still no trace.
"This Little Demon really thinks she’s turning her life around? Liam was just playing with her! She truly believes she can get married? It’s hilarious." At the dining table, Hannah watched the chaotic scene, ecstatic.
In recent years, nothing thrilled her more than this event.
However, Old Master Spencer was furious, his beard turning white, continually cursing Liam for being unfilial and tricking everyone.
Even Aron Hanson couldn’t remain calm; he instructed the machine operators not to lower Maya until she spoke, allowing her to hide alone or letting Liam climb up to explain himself.
On stage, Maya swallowed hard, her throat aching painfully.
She bit her lower lip, holding back the tears in her eyes, angrily saying: "Liam, I will never forgive you."
Finally, Elijah Reed managed to get through to Liam’s phone, hurriedly asking: "Boss, where are you? The ceremony has begun, the banquet hall is in chaos."