Dump My Ex, Dive into Love with His Billionaire Uncle-Chapter 96 - Canceling the Engagement

“Now, you teamed up with Sienna and others to kidnap me, even trying to get others to violate me; I can never forgive you for this!”

By the end, Bella’s gaze was firm, her hatred irrepressible.

She didn’t care whether Oliver did it intentionally or not, but when Holly Watson kidnapped her, Oliver agreed.

If Ashton Marshall hadn’t appeared, Bella would have faced utter ruin.

“Oliver Hughes, I can never love you nor forgive you,” Bella silently clenched her fists.

“I told you, I just wanted to teach you a lesson; it was Sienna and them who did it on purpose. What’s that got to do with me?” Oliver angrily retorted, “Moreover, if you hadn’t disobeyed me, throwing tantrums and provoking me, why would I have agreed?”

“And, Bella, don’t forget, I’ve even tolerated you having…”

“Oliver Hughes!”

Daniel Hughes, from the audience, interrupted, stepping onto the stage. “Today’s incident, according to your uncle’s wishes, will cancel your engagement with Bella.”

“Dad!”

“Shut up,” Daniel warned.

He couldn’t let this farce continue; otherwise, if Ashton’s and Bella’s connection surfaced, today’s engagement banquet would not just be a farce but a laughingstock.

Furthermore, with Ashton now in a powerful position, other members of the Marshall Family have been eyeing for any of Ashton’s mistakes to attack him, and Daniel couldn’t allow such a thing.

Cyan Marshall’s life was devoted to her mother and her brother Ashton; with her mother gone and Ashton now holding a stable position, Daniel must maintain this balance.

Lowering his voice, Daniel continued, “If you stay quiet now, you might still have a chance with Bella. But if you say another word, there will be no possibility between you and Bella.”

Anger faded from Oliver’s face, quelled by those words.

After greeting Ashton, Daniel took the microphone, “I’m sorry to waste everyone’s trip here. Today’s engagement banquet is cancelled, as the Hughes Family wishes to thank you all for your years of support. The banquet will continue.”

At this moment, Cyan also stepped onto the stage, standing beside Daniel.

Coincidentally, the couple’s position separated Ashton and Bella.

“Today will be a feast of gratitude from the Hughes Family to everyone. We hope you enjoy the banquet,” Cyan said.

As her words fell, the banquet hall doors opened.

Inside, uniformed waiters carried dishes one by one to the tables.

Exchanging a glance with Daniel, Cyan moved to Bella’s side, “Bella, after all this fuss, you must be tired. Aunt Cyan will take you to rest, alright?”

Bella instinctively glanced at Ashton but quickly looked away.

She nodded.

Cyan patted Bella’s shoulder, leading her off the stage and through another door towards the break room.

The long corridor distanced them from the banquet hall’s noise, leaving only the crisp sound of their heels on the tile floor.

Cyan didn’t actively speak.

All of Bella’s thoughts were on Ashton’s identity, unsure of what to say.

It wasn’t until they reached the previous rest room and Cyan let Bella sit on the sofa, handing her a cup of warm water.

“Bella.”

At Cyan’s gentle call, Bella slowly took the warm cup in her hands, remaining still, her expression blank.

Cyan tried several times to ask about Bella’s relationship with Ashton.

Yet, she didn’t know where to start.

Given Bella’s state, Cyan felt even more lost about how to approach it.

“Bella.” Cyan sighed, “Regarding today and the reckless things Oliver’s done before, I apologize for him. I’m sorry for all the pain he’s caused you.”

Bella quickly shook her head, “Aunt Cyan, it’s none of your fault.”

“I failed to raise my son well.” Cyan’s gaze at Bella was full of compassion.

But…

Many things, Cyan didn’t know how to express.

Moreover, saying them now seemed meaningless, appearing insincere.

In the end, Cyan sighed, “Bella, rest here first. I’ll head back to the banquet hall.”

Oliver, with his foul temper, though suppressed by Daniel on stage, who knows how he’ll act off stage.

And Ashton…

“Aunt Cyan, please go.” Bella gave Cyan a reassuring smile, “I’m just a bit overwhelmed by the sudden events, so I’m a bit tired, resting for a while will help.”

Cyan stroked Bella’s head, “Alright, if anything happens, contact Aunt Cyan first…”

After a pause, Cyan said, “Bella, you know, over the past four years, my affection for you has been nothing but genuine. Even though you aren’t Oliver’s fiancée, I regarded you as half a daughter.”

“I know, and I’m grateful for your care, Aunt Cyan,” Bella replied with a sweet smile.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Cyan stroked Bella’s head again before finally leaving the room.

As the door shut, Bella’s smile slowly faded, leaving her in a daze.

Until the water cup slipped from her hand, crashing on her foot, the warm water soaking her foot.

Yet, Bella stared coldly, as if numb.

Until the doorbell rang, breaking her trance.

As the bell initially chimed, Bella snapped back to reality, though her body barely responded, still seated on the sofa.

As the bell rang a second, then third time, urging Bella to answer the door.

Bella’s heart raced. Her immediate thought was that Ashton had come to find her.

At the very least, to explain, about this identity issue!