Chapter 181

Three days later.

The Jose family.

As night fell, the grand family reunion banquet was about to start.

Isabella, who was pregnant, wore a custom-made dress. Nina's dress was specially prepared by Margaret.

When Nina put on the white, flowing dress, she instantly looked radiant.

"Nina, you look stunning!" Kelsey said, echoing Isabella's thoughts.

Nina always had an elegant air, but years of hardship had dulled her shine. In this dress, her hidden pride and beauty resurfaced.

Nina looked at herself in the mirror, wearing the exquisite dress and delicate makeup, with the light above her making her look like a princess.

"It's just a performance. Do I really need to be this dressed up?" Nina asked, nervously pinching the hem of her dress.

"We thought the same," Kelsey replied. "But Mom insisted you look your best tonight. You don't even know this dress is actually..."

"Kelsey!" Margaret interrupted, walking in just in time.

Kelsey bit her tongue, remembering her promise to Margaret.

Even without Kelsey saying it, Nina guessed the dress was not only expensive but also carried the family's heartfelt intentions.

The fabric was light and soft, but it made her heart feel heavy.

Margaret took the comb from the makeup artist and gently styled Nina's hair, each stroke filled with love.

Nina realized Isabella and Kelsey had slipped away, leaving her alone with Margaret.

She sat quietly, looking at herself and Margaret in the mirror.

"All done," Margaret said, showing Nina her hair through a hand mirror. "Do you like it?"

Nina turned slightly and said sincerely, "It's beautiful. Thank you."

Margaret smiled. "As long as you like it. I've dreamed of this moment for twenty years. Your hair was always so nice when you were a child. I'm glad to style it again."

Nina felt a pang of sadness. "You've lost a lot of weight."

Margaret smiled. "Losing weight is good. At my age, many people want to lose weight but can't."

Nina smiled back. "You look beautiful no matter what."

A servant knocked and entered. "Mrs. Jose, Mr. Jose said it's almost time. Please come downstairs with Ms. Jose."

"Alright." Margaret wanted to take Nina's hand but hesitated, fearing it might upset her. Her hand froze mid-air before she pulled it back.

Seeing this, Nina reached out and grabbed her hand.

Margaret was stunned.

Nina, feeling pity, lowered her gaze and said, "My heels are too high. I'm afraid of falling. It's safer to hold onto you."

Margaret smiled and nodded. "Alright."

Nina and Margaret walked down the stairs hand in hand.

Cameras flashed non-stop, capturing every moment of their synchronized steps.

The Jose family's banquet was grand, with all the media in Lakina invited, and influencers live-streaming the event.

This was also to ensure Charlie could see it in real-time.

The goal was to make Charlie see the Nina he abandoned living a princess-like life, driving him mad with jealousy and desperation, even risking showing up.

For the guests' safety, Zaire and Sebastian had set up comprehensive security.

They had people surrounding the Jose estate, with layers of security around the entire villa area.

No one knew if Charlie would show up, but if he did, he wouldn't get away!

Isabella, being pregnant, wasn't allowed by Sebastian to go downstairs, so she stayed on the second floor with Kelsey.

They stood by the railing, looking down at the crowd below.

Isabella's gaze followed Nina as she walked across the red carpet, up to the stage, and stood between Steven and Margaret.

Then, Steven began to speak.

The crowd below was bustling, and Isabella thought that if Charlie came, it would be hard to spot him among so many people.

Kelsey, feeling restless, said, "I'm going to get something to drink. Want anything?"

Isabella nodded. "Juice, please."

"OK." Kelsey made a gesture. "I'll bring you a piece of cake too."

Isabella watched her lift her dress and run off, chuckling to herself.

After Steven finished speaking, he and Margaret presented a set of jewelry to Nina.

When the box was opened, the crowd gasped.

"Wow, isn't that the 'Luna Luxe' set Mrs. Jose bought for two hundred million dollars back then?"

"Two hundred million dollars, my God!"

"Mrs. Jose said she would save this set for her daughter. Was it prepared for her?"

"It seems so. Things are more valuable when regained."

"Ms. Jose went through some hardships, but now she's finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

Charlie stood in the crowd, listening to the discussions around him, a sharp glint in his eyes.

He had been lurking for ten minutes, witnessing Nina's descent from upstairs.

The jewelry set made him grip the short knife in his hand tightly.

Who would have thought that the Nina, now treasured by the Jose family, was the woman he had discarded?

When he worked at the W.S Group, he had tried to curry favor with people of status, hoping to marry a wealthy woman.

Who knew the woman he casually discarded was the wealthy person he could never win over!

If things hadn't changed, if he and Nina hadn't ended up like this, he would now be the son-in-law of the Jose family, wearing a custom suit, standing with Nina, and receiving admiration.

All of this should have been his!

A look of resentment flashed in Charlie's eyes. At that moment, he saw Kelsey walking by.

He adjusted his mask and followed her.

Meanwhile, in the monitoring room, Jack noticed something unusual. He walked out while calling Kelsey.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable."

How could he forget?

Kelsey had blocked him a long time ago!