CHAPTER 222: I’M NOT SORRY FOR MY BEHAVIOUR.

"Who’s Freda?"

"What the hell is this person even saying?"

"How can the CEO possibly fall in love with a cleaner?"

"Gosh! This makes no sense at all!"

"Mr. Edison’s entire day is officially ruined. What kind of twisted joke is this person trying to pull?"

"Whoa... wait a second, are two women actually fighting over that young man?"

"Well damn... now this is getting really interesting."

"Tonight’s supposed to be all about the birthday boy, not CEO Augustine of Gyapm Corporation."

"I knew this party wouldn’t end without drama. Rich people always bring chaos whenever they gather," a male cleaner muttered, his voice blending perfectly with the chorus of murmurs, complaints, and whispers of shock echoing through the crowd.

Meanwhile, Augustine, whose gaze had been locked on the chaos ahead, suddenly turned to Charles, his grip on his hand still tight, almost desperate. "I... I don’t know what’s going on," he whispered, his voice trembling just enough for Charles to hear the fear in it.

Charles could feel it—the panic, the confusion, the vulnerability seeping through Augustine’s words.

’She’s doing this on purpose,’ Charles thought, his jaw tightening as he exhaled sharply. ’Aubrey knows he’s terrified of coming out... and she’s luring him.’

"You don’t have to say I’m your lover, okay?" Charles whispered, giving Augustine’s hand a soft, reassuring squeeze. "I’m not going to get mad at you... just defend yourself. That’s all I want."

Augustine blinked rapidly, his lashes fluttering like the wings of a trapped bird.

His throat bobbed with a hard swallow, the tension visible in every line of his face and his eyes glistened, on the verge of betraying the tears he fought to keep back.

"Freda Logan, can you please step forward with your fiancé?" the same commanding voice rang out again, slicing through the thick silence.

Freda scoffed, her jaw tightening. "What the hell is going on?" she muttered through clenched teeth.

Without waiting for a response, she unlocked her phone and turned on the flashlight, the bright beam cutting through the dim room.

With sharp, purposeful strides, she began making her way through the crowd as she passed the stunned guests who hadn’t moved an inch since Mr. Edison’s shocking announcement.

As Freda walked down the room, Reginald trailed behind her with hastened steps, until finally, Freda got to the wall of the room.

With her hand gliding along the wall, Freda finally found the switch.

A sharp click echoed, and in an instant, the entire room was flooded with blinding brightness.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, pulling everyone’s attention away from Augustine and Charles.

Eyes shifted, heads turned, and just like that, their gaze was now focused on Freda.

She scoffed, a sly smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Who the hell said CEO Augustine is my fiancé?" she asked, her voice sharp as she pointed a bold finger at the crowd.

"I’m the one and what are you going to do about that?" Mrs. Wales countered coolly, standing tall amidst the stunned guests.

Her left arm was folded tightly across her chest while her right hand casually held a glass of champagne. "Aren’t you my son’s fiancé?"

Freda let out a dry laugh, her eyes narrowing. "Ohh, so this is the game you want to play? Is this why you showed up at my place pretending to care? Asking me to befriend your son?"

GASPED!

The room erupted in gasps, some covered their mouths in shock, others’ eyes widened in disbelief, while whispers began swirling like wildfire among the guests.

Yet, Freda remained utterly unfazed, her gaze sharp and unyielding, as if daring anyone to challenge her.

"I already told you, Mrs. Wales, CEO Augustine is my boss. And more than that, I have a boyfriend." Freda’s voice cut through the room, sharp and unyielding.

Then, turning her gaze icy cold, she locked eyes with Aubrey. "And you—seriously, don’t you think you’re a fool? When exactly did Augustine propose to you?"

Before Freda could say more, Reginald’s hand closed around her wrist with a firm, calming squeeze.

He leaned in, his voice a low whisper meant only for her ears. "Careful, Freda. This isn’t the time to burn bridges." Reginald’s voice was low, calm murmur as he leaned in closer to the ears of his lover. "And also, I think we need to leave." He added, leaning away while giving Freda a reassuring nod.

She sighed, nodding her head in understating.

"I’m not sorry for my behavior, but... Mr. Edison, I do apologize for ruining your moment. Cheers to many more years," Freda said with a smirk, dripping with sarcasm.

Before anyone could react, Reginald gently tugged Freda toward the exit.

As they passed Charles and Augustine, Freda stopped abruptly, arching an eyebrow. "Charles, didn’t you say you were heading home?" she asked, voice sharp with suspicion.

"I... I...."

Charles opened his mouth to speak up but his lips couldn’t form any words and tears instantly began to stream down his eyes.

"Hey, don’t cry," Freda purred, slipping free from Reginald’s grip to wrap Charles in a surprisingly warm hug. "I don’t know what’s going on with you, but please don’t cry," she coaxed softly.

Augustine took a deep breath, then suddenly released Charles’s hand.

Without a word, he strode toward Mr. Edison, whose calm facade was cracking under the weight of things happening around him.

Ever so slowly, Augustine gave Mr. Edison a stiff nod, masking the storm raging inside him.

Then, with deliberate steps, he turned to face the room, every eye locked on him, every breath held.

"For those who don’t know me," he began, voice calm but tight, "my name is Augustine Wales, CEO of Gyapm Corporation."

He paused, swallowing the weight pressing against his ribs. "And since I seem to be the centerpiece of tonight’s attention, I suppose it’s only fair I come clean."

A long breath escaped his lips before he straightened his shoulders and stared the truth dead in the face. "I’m ready to come out of the closet."