Every head turned toward the doorway.
A tall man stood there, backlit by golden light.
His tailored navy suit fit him like armor, his expression calm, his presence overwhelming.
Each unhurried step he took sent ripples through the crowd.
Even the air seemed to still.
Helen Zhao, Ryan Lu, and the others froze, their confidence draining away.
Who is he?
He crossed the hall and stepped onto the stage.
Vivian stared, stunned.
She had been so sure—after all her unanswered calls—that Simon Min wasn’t coming.
She had steeled herself to face everything alone.
But now, when the world was tearing her apart, he appeared—
like a figure stepping out of a dream.
Simon smiled faintly, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
“Sorry,” he murmured, voice low and intimate. “I’m late.”
Vivian shook her head, her eyes shining.
“No—you came at the perfect time.”
A sharp shriek split the air.
Bianca Fang pointed at him, hysterical.
“It’s him! He’s the man who kept Vivian Wen!”
The hall exploded once again.
“My God, he’s gorgeous!”
“If that’s her sugar daddy, I don’t blame her one bit!”
“Her fiancé can’t even compare!”
“Still,” another voice said, “loyalty matters. But honestly… if you could have him, would you settle for that broke guy?”
Laughter rippled through the hall.
Simon’s cold gaze slid toward Ryan Lu, resting briefly on the cheap engagement ring in his hand.
Then, with unhurried grace, he reached into his pocket and drew out a silver bracelet—
Cartier, limited edition, every inch encrusted with diamonds.
Gasps filled the air.
“That’s a Cartier exclusive! You can’t even buy it without connections!”
“It’s worth at least a million!”
All eyes now fixed on Simon and Vivian.
Standing side by side, they looked like something out of a painting—
a vision of elegance and power.
Ryan Lu might as well have vanished.
Bianca’s nails dug into her palms, jealousy burning through her veins.
Under the blazing lights, Simon gently lifted Vivian’s hand and fastened the bracelet around her wrist.
She noticed, for the first time, the watch on his wrist—
a Patek Philippe, easily worth another million.
And his suit—this wasn’t the off-the-rack one she’d bought him before. It was bespoke, haute couture, radiating quiet luxury.
Her breath caught.
How could a man who’d claimed to be broke afford all this?
Simon caught her curious look and leaned close to her ear.
“They’re rented,” he whispered, teasing. “Just trying to make you look good.”
His breath brushed her skin; her ears turned scarlet.
“That must’ve cost a fortune,” she murmured.
“It’s coming out of your payment.”
He straightened up, expression unreadable.
Vivian chuckled softly. Fair enough.
And the effect—well—it was spectacular.
Helen Zhao and Ryan Lu looked as if they’d swallowed nails.
Everything was finally in place.
Vivian’s counterattack could begin.
She smiled brilliantly, turned to face the crowd, and raised her voice.
“Everyone—thank you for coming. Today is indeed my engagement banquet. But there’s been a mistake.”
She paused, holding Simon’s arm with quiet pride.
“The man standing beside me—he is my fiancé.”
The room froze.
Mouths dropped open.
Bianca and Tiffany Liu looked as if they’d been slapped.
They had believed Simon was just her secret affair.
But now—Vivian had just announced him as her groom.
Why her?
Why did this flawless man choose her?
Helen Zhao shot up from her seat, face twisted with fury.
“Vivian, what nonsense are you spouting? Ryan is the man your father and I chose for you! He loves you—even after everything you’ve done! And who is this stranger? We’ve never seen him before in our lives!”
Vivian’s lips curved. Calm. Controlled. Deadly.
She stepped off the stage, retrieved her handbag, and pulled out a stack of photographs.
Then she returned to the center and faced Ryan Lu, eyes gleaming.
“Ryan,” she said softly, “you keep saying you love me.
Then perhaps you can explain these?”
With a flick of her wrist, the photographs scattered through the air—
fluttering like snow, raining down around him.
Ryan caught one—and froze.
The color drained from his face, his hands trembling violently.