Chapter 172
+25 BONUS
Even as her heart pounded wildly under her ribcage, Natalle maintained her poise and elegant demeanor, looking like a beautiful princess at the top of the castle waiting for her prince to come.
When Gregory was less than a foot away, she silently gulped. She put on her most dazzling smile and extended her right hand toward him.
At that moment, the world around them quieted. The lights and the audience’s unwavering gaze were on them. As everyone beheld the scene on the red carpet, shock colored their faces.
Someone exclaimed, “So the bigwig who’d spent millions on Ms. Whitman is Mr. Sinclair, the CEO of Sinclair Group?”
“No wonder! I’ve heard that Mr. Sinclair and Ms. Whitman are more than just platonic acquaintances! So she’s the future Mrs. Sinclair! Looks like the rumors are true, then. I bet Mr. Sinclair wants to use this opportunity to announce his engagement with Ms. Whitman officially!”
“Indeed! Mr. Sinclair is the finest example of a rich and adoring husband in all of Castenea!”
A typical fairytale ending would include the princess reaching for the prince, who would take her hand. They would walk down the red carpet together to the outpouring of blessings from the audience. From then on, the prince and princess would live happily ever after.
What a wonderful ending!
Natalie was practically vibrating with excitement.
She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into Gregory’s arms at that moment, but the voice of reason in her head reminded her to stay composed. Only then would she look like the perfect match for Gregory.
She took a deep breath and willed her beating heart to still before it flew out of her chest. She glanced at Gregory, sounding bashful yet expectant as she called out softly, “Greg…”
His name, delivered with a deep sense of longing, seemed to linger in the space between them.
But just as she thought Gregory would take her outstretched hand and call her name in response, he suddenly turned and walked the red carpet alone.
His towering silhouette brushed past her, and he walked away without hesitation.
At once, the air went still, and the silence stretched on. Natalie’s smile froze, and her heart, which had been beating so wildly a second ago, felt as cold as if it had been plunged into cold water.
For a moment, everyone looked stunned and puzzled. “What’s going on? I saw Ms. Whitman reach for Mr. Sinclair, so why didn’t he take her hand?”
“Could it be that Ms. Whitman engineered this whole rumored romance only to fail to trap Mr. Sinclair?”
“Wow, talk about embarrassing!”
Natalie flushed as she listened to the audience’s frenzied discussion. She stared at Gregory’s retreating figure intently, a million questions bubbling up within her.
Had Gregory abandoned her at the red carpet? Didn’t he promise Eleanor he’d attend the Presgraves‘ dinner party with Natalie? What in the world was going on?
“Huh? What’s with this plot twist?”
Before the screen, Hannah looked baffled. She’d seen how close Gregory was to taking Natalie’s outstretched hand, only for him to turn at the last minute and avoid her. He ended up walking the red carpet alone.
“What game is this prick playing?”
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Chapter 172
+25 BONUS
Chloe was curious. “What game is it? What game is it?”
Anathea shook her head. She had no idea what Gregory was playing at, nor was she interested. She was about to switch channels “when Hannah hurriedly stopped her..
“No, no, no! Let’s keep watching. I’m getting a little curious now.
Hannah couldn’t care less what stunt Gregory was pulling now, but she was mighty interested in how this dramatic turn of events would pan out. She would be even more invested if she could see Natalie humiliated again.
Anathea had no choice but to sit through the red carpet broadcast after Hannah snatched the remote from her. Her gaze fell on
the screen.
Meanwhile, Gregory had taken to the stage. He lifted his gaze to the camera. It was only for a moment, but his dark, piercing eyes met Anathea’s through the camera and the screen.
Chapter 173
