Chapter 5

Susan walked over and handed me the bag.

"I was passing by and picked up some food."

I opened the bag to find a steaming plate of pasta and a cup of coffee.

I looked up at her.

"Susan, did you put a tracker on me or something?"

She thought seriously for a moment. "Installing trackers is illegal."

"Then how did you know I hadn't eaten?"

She smiled slightly without answering.

I lowered my head and ate the pasta. The hot soup warmed me from the inside out.

She stood beside me, saying nothing, just standing there.

I suddenly laughed.

She looked at me. "What's funny?"

I said, "Nothing. Just feels like it's been a long time since I laughed like this."

She looked into my eyes, her gaze light.

I didn't continue. That night when I got home, I revised the ninth version of the proposal.

At 2 a.m., I submitted it.

At 8 a.m. the next morning, I received a reply: [Approved.]

At the project's milestone celebration, held in a five-star hotel ballroom in the city center.

As soon as I entered, I heard murmurs around me.

"That Johnson guy—doesn't he have an engagement with Fiona's family? Why is he being treated so harshly now?"

"I heard the engagement was called off, but I don't know the details."

"That Bob guy next to Fiona seems pretty favored. Probably won't be long now."

These words drifted into my ears one by one, but my face showed no expression.

At eight o'clock sharp, Bob entered with Fiona on his arm.

Bob wore a white suit today, looking quite dashing.

Fiona's gown was elegant, her face wearing a proper smile.

Someone gathered the courage to ask, "Miss Fiona, we heard you and Johnson called off your engagement. Is that true?"

Everyone looked at Fiona, then at me.

Fiona was about to speak when I set down my wine glass.

"It's true. The engagement between our families has been canceled."

The whole room erupted. Fiona's face changed as she stared at me.

I met her gaze without any expression.

She suddenly smiled and reached up to wrap her arms around Bob's neck.

Then, in front of everyone, she stood on her toes and kissed him.

Bob froze at first, then showed delight, wrapping his arms around her waist in response.

Gasps and whispers rose around us.

When the kiss ended, Fiona lifted her head and looked at me:

"Mr. Johnson is quite right. The engagement between our families has been canceled."

"The person I'm marrying now is him."

The whole room buzzed with excitement. Bob was so moved his eyes turned red as he held her waist tightly.

But Fiona wasn't looking at him. She kept staring at me, waiting to see my reaction.

Waiting to see even a crack appear on my face, but my expression remained unchanged.

Just as I was about to say something, a voice came from behind me.

"What a coincidence." I turned around.

Susan emerged from the crowd, elegant in her gown, walking toward me step by step.

Her gaze cut through everyone and landed on my face.

Then she walked up to me, extended her hand, and took mine.

She lifted her head, looking at Fiona, looking at everyone present.

"I'm the one marrying him."