Chapter 48 Public Disclosure Alden's gut clenched. A sickening premonition washed over him. "Kaia, what are you doing?" Before he could finish, the lights in the grand banquet hall died. The huge screen behind the stage flickered to life. "My little princess, Luna. Happy sixteenth birthday. I'll always be here for you, baby." The camera panned to Luna's face, young, shy, cheeks slightly flushed as she made a wish with her eyes squeezed shut. After a long moment, she blew out the candles. Alden asked softly, "Luna, tell me, what did you wish for?" "Can't say, or it won't come true." "Silly girl. If you don't tell me, how can I make it happen?" "I wished… I wished we could get married someday. I don't want anyone else to be your wife. Can I marry you when I grow up?" A wave of shocked murmurs and gasps swept through the crowd. "But this was supposed to be Alden and Kaia's wedding," someone whispered. "Luna? Zane's adopted daughter?" another voice hissed. "Was this his plan all along?" Zane was about to explode. He spun toward his event staff, his face red with fury. "Idiots! Turn that damn thing off! Now!" But it was too late. The screen remained stubbornly lit. Alden, the one holding the camera, finally appeared in the frame. He bent down, his expression impossibly tender and devoted, and pressed a lingering kiss to the young girl's forehead. "Okay. When you grow up, I'll marry you." The next image to flash onto the screen was a shocking glimpse into Alden's private photo album, stored on his tablet, with 3344 photos of him and Luna. Alden's eyes were bloodshot with fury and humiliation. "Enough! You actually went through my private photos! You spied on me!" Kaia smiled faintly, "Oh, don't get too excited, Alden. We're just getting started." The lights in the hall suddenly blazed back to life. On the massive screen, a new message appeared in bold, flashing letters. [My Princess Luna, Will You Marry Me? -Alden] Luna felt a thousand pairs of eyes, all burning with judgment, fixated on her. Her fingernails dug so hard into her palms that she drew blood. Is Kaia trying to destroy me? Is that what this is? Kaia calmly picked up the mic, eyes gleaming with vengeance. "Well, Luna? Are you going to accept Alden's proposal?" Someone in the crowd started clapping. "Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!" Each cheer, each jeer, felt like another knife twisting in Alden's and Luna's guts. This was their most shameful secret, and Kaia was gleefully tearing it open for the world to see, relishing every agonizing second. Kaia watched them, a grim satisfaction, a thrill of pure revenge, coiling hot and tight inside her. So much for being the sweet little angel. I'll tear every fake piece of you apart. Just then, the main doors of the banquet hall swung open. Lucien stepped in with a calm smile, eyes locked on Kaia's pretty face. He moved forward slowly, barely containing his excitement. People recognized Lucien, the true power in the family. "Oh, it's over. Kaia has made such a catastrophic scene. Mr. Graves is going to absolutely lose it!" "Definitely. Everyone knows Mr. Graves values the Graves family's reputation above all else! He's a stickler for rules and propriety. There's no way this wedding disaster can be salvaged now." But instead, Lucien did something unexpected. He was surprisingly, unnervingly calm. His deep eyes swept the room. Then, as if from nowhere, a champagne flute was in his hand, held high. "A toast," Lucien announced into the stunned silence. "To my dear nephew and niece… to their everlasting happiness!" Kaia stared, speechless. His smile was cold and sharp. This wasn't a blessing-it was a threat, and he was savoring every moment. Write your comment 1 Gifts