Kenneth Brown was in high spirits, feeling he had never been so happy in his life. Guests urged him to drink, and in his excitement, he drank quite a lot. Now slightly tipsy, a cool breeze touched his face. The woman he loved, why hasn’t she come out yet? "Manager Brown, congratulations, congratulations..." "Thank you, thank you..." "Good lad, you actually managed to marry a beauty like President Johnson. Well done!" "What do you mean marry her? It’s clearly him marrying into her family. The Johnson Family is looking for a live-in son-in-law," someone said sarcastically. Kenneth had grown used to such jealous remarks since his relationship with Sienna Johnson was confirmed. So what if they were looking for a live-in son-in-law? Even if they were, Sienna wouldn’t choose any of you! "Yes, being able to marry Sienna is my good fortune!" Kenneth Brown drained the wine in his glass, his face turning even redder. Sienna Johnson arrived fashionably late. As soon as she appeared, all the men’s eyes were fixed on her. Kenneth Brown was also smitten, staring at the woman he had longed for and finally won over tonight. "Hey, what are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and greet your bride!" Kenneth’s friend nudged his arm, shaking him out of his reverie. Kenneth then walked happily to greet the most important woman in his life. "Look at Kenneth, he’s so happy he’s practically giddy." "If I could marry such a beautiful woman, I’d be just as giddy." People from the Brown Family, however, didn’t think highly of the couple. This woman is too beautiful; can she be faithful? When the time comes, there’s bound to be unrest in the household. "Kenneth’s wife is so beautiful, and her family is so rich... I wonder if Kenneth can handle it," an elder from the Brown Family sighed upon seeing the new couple. Kenneth, elated tonight, couldn’t hear any of these remarks. His dark eyes were filled only with Sienna Johnson, dazzling like the bright moon in the sky. "Sienna, you look so beautiful today," Kenneth Brown complimented. Sienna Johnson gave him a captivating smile. "You look very handsome today too." "President Johnson, hello..." Sienna Johnson, her arm elegantly hooked through Kenneth’s, greeted the surrounding guests with poise and grace. Pauline Briggs also arrived, dressed in a wine-red evening gown, her makeup exquisite. Compared to Kenneth’s mother, who wore a traditional suit, the difference was like night and day. "Pauline," Mother Brown began, addressing Pauline Briggs, "we are family now. If Kenneth does anything foolish, please treat him as your own child and feel free to discipline him." Pauline Briggs merely offered a slight, graceful, and noble smile in response. Mother Brown, noticing Pauline Briggs’s reluctance to engage, felt a little embarrassed and added, "Kenneth isn’t a city kid, so he might not understand some etiquette. Please be patient with him." Mother Brown’s words were polite, but she felt deeply uncomfortable. It wasn’t honorable for her son to marry into another family. If not for her son’s insistence on marrying Sienna Johnson and thus marrying into her family, she would never have agreed. Back in their hometown, only impoverished, incompetent men—those who couldn’t get a wife otherwise—would marry into a family. Her son was so outstanding: a university graduate, good-looking, earning a high salary, and he had even bought a house in Sileria City at a young age. With credentials like those, he could have any woman he wanted! "Mom, Mother-in-law..." Kenneth Brown brought Sienna Johnson before their respective mothers. Kenneth’s father had claimed illness and didn’t attend; only his mother and younger brother were present from his side. "Mother-in-law!" Sienna Johnson formally addressed Mother Brown, changing her term of address now that they were engaged. This change of address traditionally came with a gift of money. Mother Brown, looking at her beautiful daughter-in-law, took a red envelope from her pocket and handed it to Sienna, saying, "Good girl..." Pauline Briggs also took out a red envelope and handed it to Kenneth Brown. Kenneth called her "Mother-in-law" sweetly, his face practically blossoming with delight. "Sienna has a strong personality; please be patient with her," Pauline Briggs said to Kenneth. Pauline Briggs knew her daughter wasn’t fond of her. After giving Kenneth the red envelope, she also departed. Sienna Johnson glanced at her mother’s retreating figure, feeling that Mother Johnson had changed somewhat. At the banquet, melodious music was playing. Suddenly, it came to an abrupt halt, followed by an ear-piercing screech from the sound system that made everyone’s eardrums ache. Sienna Johnson frowned, and Kenneth Brown was equally displeased. He had meticulously prepared for their engagement ceremony tonight and would not tolerate any mishaps. "What happened? What’s wrong with the sound system?" Kenneth Brown demanded of the nearby staff. "I’m sorry, Mr. Reed, I’ll go check it right away." A man dressed entirely in black strode through the crowd. He was handsome, but his good looks possessed a predatory, venomous edge—to draw near was to court danger. His hands were thrust into his trouser pockets, his expression cold. A few police officers followed him, and behind them was a visibly pregnant woman. The man walked at the forefront, and the guests parted like waves before a monarch, clearing a path. He, however, acted as if no one else mattered, his eyes fixed solely on Sienna Johnson as he headed straight for her. Sienna Johnson’s intuition screamed that Adrian Desmond was not here to congratulate her on her engagement or wish her happiness. "Sienna Johnson, long time no see." Sienna Johnson maintained the dignified composure of a lady from a prominent family. "Sir," she said politely, "today is my engagement banquet. Although I don’t recall inviting you, since you are here, please have a celebratory drink before you depart." Adrian Desmond, seeing Sienna Johnson’s desperate attempt to disassociate from him, sneered, "Slept with me, pulled up your pants, and now you pretend you don’t know who I am?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novęlfire.net His words caused an uproar among the guests. Sienna Johnson had always cultivated a public image of a refined lady from a prominent family and a business elite. Even though she was usually unfazed by minor matters, hearing such crude words now made her face flush crimson with shame. "Sir, you must have mistaken me for someone else," she said with a forced smile. "Vivian, please ensure this gentleman is well taken care of." With that, Sienna Johnson shot Adrian Desmond a warning glance, hoping he wouldn’t continue to make things difficult for her or ruin her party. Adrian Desmond stood before her. He was very tall; even in high heels, Sienna Johnson barely reached his shoulder. Today, Adrian exuded a roguish, almost wicked aura, different from the man she thought she knew. "Hey, old man, this is the woman who raped me!" Each of Adrian Desmond’s pronouncements was a bombshell, leaving the listeners reeling. Yet, he remained utterly unperturbed, seemingly an outsider, completely unfazed by the consequences of his own outrageous behavior. The man Adrian Desmond had called "old man" was Officer Smith, a portly, balding, middle-aged policeman with a generally amiable expression. He currently looked both awkward and embarrassed. When Officer Smith didn’t move, Adrian Desmond bellowed, "Didn’t you hear me? I said this woman raped me!"