As Sharon walked down the aisle toward her assigned table, voices sliced through the room like daggers.
> "I can't believe she showed up."
"What a shameless woman."
"Why didn't she take her husband's name? Is she embarrassed?"
"I'd be embarrassed too."
Each whisper stung like a slap, but Sharon kept her head high. Her heels clicked softly on the marble floor, her expression unreadable. Across the hall, Madina exchanged a smug glance with her sisters.
"She really came," Madina said under her breath, then turned to Jason with a smirk. "Isn't she pathetic? Not even her husband could bother to show."
Jason's jaw tightened. Without a word, he walked away, ignoring her completely.
Sharon took her seat, nodding politely at a guest who greeted her. No one noticed the strength it took to keep her hands from trembling.
Moments later, her sisters approached like vultures circling.
"You actually came," Rose said, eyes gleaming.
"I did," Sharon replied calmly, folding her arms.
Shirley flopped into the seat beside her, eyes rolling. "Don't flatter yourself. This is our assigned table. I wouldn't voluntarily sit next to you."
Rose leaned in, voice dipped in syrupy sarcasm. "Where's your husband, dear? Are you hiding him? Don't worry, if he's too poor to afford a tux, we can lend him one."
Both sisters snickered.
"Stop wasting energy on the family's black sheep," Shirley added.
Before Sharon could respond, a man stepped onto the stage, mic in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us to celebrate the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmort," he announced, earning warm applause.
Everyone clapped except Sharon. She felt like the only guest at her own funeral.
"Smile, sis," Shirley mocked beside her. "Don't want people thinking you're bitter."
Sharon turned her face away, biting her cheek to keep the tears at bay.
The announcer's voice returned, louder this time. "Before the main event, please welcome Florida's top business mogul, Ethan Lancaster!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as heads turned to the entrance. Outside, sleek black cars pulled in one after the other.
From the first vehicle, Irene stepped out, adjusting her clutch purse. "Thank you," she said to the doorman, then turned to Ryan. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
Ryan chuckled. "We're doing it for Ethan, babe."
"I know," she murmured, smoothing her dress.
Then Ethan emerged, dark suit sharp as a blade, expression unreadable.
"You ready?" he asked quietly.
"You should smile, or people will think you hate being here," Irene teased.
"Would that be wrong?" he replied dryly.
"You don't always have to be cold, you know."
"I'm not cold," he said. "I'm just practical."
"Practical, my ass," she muttered as they headed inside.
"Ah, the grand entrance you always wanted," Ryan teased.
Irene grinned, linking arms with Ethan as the doors swung open and the cameras began flashing.
Meanwhile, back at the table, Rose's eyes widened.
"He's hot," she whispered.
"I want him," Shirley said breathlessly.
Sharon frowned, then turned toward the entrance and froze.
It was Ethan.
Her heart stuttered as he stepped into the room, his gaze immediately locking onto hers. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before he turned away, acknowledging the crowd with a simple nod.
"Is that the Ethan Lancaster I've heard so much about?" Madina asked, fanning herself dramatically.
"Yes," Jason muttered. "So behave yourself."
Ethan made his rounds, nodding politely at familiar faces. George Wilmort approached with his wife, Matilda, both grinning.
"Ethan! You came," George said, offering a handshake.
"I almost didn't," Ethan replied coolly. "But I had some things to take care of."
"What sort of things?" Matilda asked, smiling too brightly.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, gaze flicking past them.
Matilda quickly shifted gears. "We were hoping to talk to you about our daughter, Eunice. She's returning from the States next week."
Desperate much? Ethan thought.
"Tell her she's welcome. Excuse me, I have something important to do," he said, stepping away.
"Do you think he'll agree to marry Eunice?" Matilda asked her husband.
"He has to. He must," George replied firmly.
Back at the table, Sharon sat frozen. Her thoughts tangled like threads. Is he really here?
"Quit staring. It's embarrassing," Rose hissed.
"He wouldn't even look your way," Shirley added.
Sharon held back a laugh. If only they knew.
Across the room, Ethan smiled inwardly. My wife does have good taste. And a damn fine figure.
Irene and Ryan made their way to their table, but Ethan changed direction, heading straight for Sharon.
Before he could reach her, a woman stepped into his path.
"Ethan, please. We need to talk," Lily Williams whispered urgently.
He barely spared her a glance. "We have nothing to talk about. Move."
She hesitated, then stepped aside.
Ethan continued toward Sharon's table. The room fell quiet as he stopped beside her, then bent down and spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Mrs. Lancaster… what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at our table?"
Sharon looked up at him, stunned.
"Your husband has arrived," he continued, voice calm. "Is that any way to greet him?"
Gasps erupted. All eyes were on them.
He reached for her hand and, without waiting, led her away.
"Did he just say… Mrs. Lancaster?" Shirley asked, stunned.
Rose nodded slowly, speechless.
Jason clenched his fist beneath the table. Madina's jaw dropped.
I can't believe this bitch was this lucky, she thought bitterly.
The murmurs spread like wildfire.
> "I thought she married a pauper…"
"This is why I don't trust rumors."
"She's the luckiest woman in the Moore family."
"Their family status just exploded!"
"She's hit the jackpot!"
Liddy sat in silent rage, nails digging into her palm, but kept a composed face.
Eli stared at Sharon, still stunned by the revelation.
And somewhere in the shadows, Lily watched, eyes burning.
Her voice was low, almost a growl.
> "She stole what was mine… but I'll make sure she pays."