Mr. Briggs saw Ricardo. and his face seemed to struggle to maintain itsposure.


    Everyone was well aware of the rtionship between the Freeman family and the Cloude family. Now, the Freeman family had called off the engagement first, embarrassing the Cloudes.


    Mr. Briggs couldn''t muster a smile, but under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he was forced to put on an air of nonchnce and extend his hand. However, at that moment, Ricardo withdrew his previously extended hand and said indifferently, "Why don''t I see Rowena?"


    To outsiders, he still appeared to be infatuated with Rowena.


    As people murmured in pity, Nichole made her way down from the second floor.


    She was dressed in an haute couture gown and adorned with expensive jewelry. The moment she appeared, she instantly became the center of attention.


    Everyone knew that today, the Freeman family''s daughter was to be announced as engaged to the CEO of Burker International, and they all congratted Nichole.


    Having attended many asions with James, Nichole responded to the congrattions with a light smile as if she had already be James'' wife.


    "Dad." Nichole approached Mr. Briggs, who wore a pleased smile and patted the back of Nichole''s hand. He said, "My dear daughter, you look beautiful today." Nichole spotted Ricardo and wore a victorious smile. She extended her hand, saying, "Ricardo, I''m d you could make it."


    Faced with Nichole''s dramatically different attitude, Ricardo narrowed his eyes.


    Previously, Nichole would look at him with fear, but now that she had James as her support, she was not afraid of him exposing her true identity.


    "Congrattions, your wish has finallye true." Ricardo took Nichole''s hand but tightened his grip in a hidden threat.


    Nichole acted as if she felt nothing and smiled, saying, "Yes, my wish has finallye true, thanks to you, Ricardo. How could I have married James so easily without you?" Nichole turned to Mr. Briggs and said, "Dad, you should really thank Ricardo properly in the future."


    "Of course, Ricardo is like a son to me," Mr. Briggs responded, patting Ricardo on the shoulder. "There are other guests over there, and Rowena and I will leave you be." It was clear that Mr. Briggs was being polite.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Ricardo quickly grasped the underlying message in Mr. Briggs'' words and frowned. "Mr. Briggs, are we bing strangers now?"


    Over the years, Ricardo had treated Mr. Briggs just like his own father, and outsiders had thought Ricardo would eventually take over for Mr Briggs. But now that Rowena was found, Mr. Briggs had changed his mind and wanted to marry his daughter off to James, essentially abandoning Ricardo.


    "That''s not it," Mr. Briggs said, though he had already begun leading Nichole to the other side of the hall.


    Booker frowned andmented, "Mr. Briggs has really done us dirty. We dealt with all the Freeman family''s messes and even found his daughter. Now that he sees a chance to get cozy with the Burke family, he''s selling us out!"


    "Where''s Rowena?"


    "She is all prepared and wille in when James announces his engagement to Nichole," the secretary replied.


    Ricardo nodded, a cold light shing in his eyes. "Mr. Briggs, you''ve shown no kindness, so don''t me me for not showing any either. Once we''ve fallen out, none of us will have a good time!"


    Meanwhile, the socialites anddies


    of high society were alling up to congratte Nichole. Jean watched as everyone focused on Nichole and


    also went up. She theatrically


    offered a ss of wine, savien


    heard you were beautiful, Ms. Rowena, but you''re truly breathtaking in person. Here''s to


    you, Ms. Rowena!"


    After finishing her speech, Jean downed her wine.


    Nichole faced this unfamiliar face and asked in confusion, "And you are...?"


    "I was a trainee at Aldridge Global. My name is Jean! I''ve always admired you."


    Jean''s eyes were filled with sincerity, but Nichole couldn''t care less whether Jean admired her or not. To her, it was just polite talk.


    Nichole retorted, "A trainee at Aldridge Global, then you must know Sophie?"


    At the mention of Sophie, the surrounding socialites exchanged nces.


    Who didn''t know that Sophie was James'' ex-wife?


    The atmosphere suddenly filled with awkwardness.


    Jean immediately realized the gravity of her mistake and quickly nodded, saying, "Yes, I do know Sophie, and I''m aware of quite a few things about her."


    Hearing the promise of gossip, the crowd immediately became excited. "What do you know about Ms. Sophie? Do tell us!"


    It was clear to everyone that Jean was just a nobody looking for an opportunity here.


    With courage bolstered by the


    attention, Jean said, "Sophie got into


    Aldridge Global through backdoor


    deals. The rest of us were all in a closed training program, but Sophie was always the exception. Several times, we saw her being picked up by luxury cars at night, and every time, it was a different one."