CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY BEGINS: DAMIEN LANCASTER IS GOING TO BE A DAD AGAIN!

Three days later, the day of the engagement party.

The union of two major families in Aethelgard, the Lancaster Family taking a wife, the Shaw Family giving a daughter—this engagement party was undeniably grand.

Despite the numerous rumors previously, the engagement party wasn’t affected at all.

The Lancaster and Shaw families were willing to turn a blind eye, and naturally, the guests graciously offered their congratulatory gestures with closed eyes.

At six in the afternoon, outside the hotel, luxury cars were everywhere, guests gathered—it was all prominent figures from Aethelgard.

Next to the hotel’s entrance was a giant engagement poster, which featured no photos of the couple, just the red "Double Happiness" character and engagement words. Upon closer inspection of the names of the betrothed on the poster...

Each guest passed by and then instinctively turned back to take a closer look with wide eyes.

"What’s going on? Was there a typo?"

"Impossible, which wedding company could make such a huge mistake?"

"It must be wrong; how could this happen?"

"But it seems every poster is like this, could it be that all of them were wrong?"

The crowd stood in front of the poster speculating, until many gathered, at which point a hotel staff member stepped forward to remind them, and the guests finally began to head inside.

The banquet was set in the largest floral banquet hall.

Gregory Lancaster, Seraphina Kennedy, and Phillip Shaw stood at the entrance to the banquet hall, and upon seeing Gregory Lancaster, the incoming guests all reacted strangely, saying, "Congratulations, President Lancaster."

Gregory Lancaster found it a bit odd, furrowing his brow.

Why was everyone congratulating him?

Gregory Lancaster asked, "Why are they all congratulating me?"

Seraphina Kennedy smiled and said, "Your son is getting engaged, naturally, they’re congratulating you."

This comment dispelled Gregory Lancaster’s doubts.

Ivy Summers returned home after work and changed into a gown; today’s engagement party was very exciting, and she naturally had to attend.

Damien Lancaster had promised not to spare Rachel Shaw.

She was curious to see if he would really be so ruthless.

Nathan, Leo, and Sophie had been staying at her place these past few days, perhaps due to the busy preparations for the engagement party, and Gregory Lancaster and Seraphina Kennedy were also worried the kids might resist Rachel Shaw and cause an unpleasant scene, so they hadn’t come to take the children.

Today, she didn’t intend to bring the kids; the engagement party was too chaotic, and she was worried it might be dangerous.

Ivy Summers sent the three children to Noah Scott’s place, while she arrived at the hotel before seven.

Before entering the hotel, a voice came from behind.

"Miss Summers."

Ivy Summers turned around, a man came out of the car, slowly walking over.

The wind was strong today, lifting the hem of Ivy Summers’ dress. The man came over with a charming smile on his handsome face, "No date with you?"

"I don’t need a date."

Tristan Sterling raised his hand, very gentlemanly, "I think you do."

Ivy Summers pressed her lips together, not reaching out her hand.

"Haven’t you seen the recent news?"

"Does Young Master Tristan Sterling also like gossip?"

Tristan Sterling chuckled, "It’s quite interesting. Today’s engagement party is bustling; Damien Lancaster is bound to be busy and might not have time for you. You need a date."

Ivy Summers raised her eyebrows, took a deep breath, and placed her hand in Tristan Sterling’s.

Tristan Sterling held her hand, placing it in the crook of his arm, and the two walked in together.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman, very eye-catching.

Ivy Summers spoke in a calm tone, "Young Master Sterling, no need to pretend you like and want to pursue me."

"What?"

Ivy Summers let out a light laugh, "Do you really like me?"

Tristan Sterling didn’t answer.

Ivy Summers could tell that Tristan Sterling’s gaze didn’t have a man’s affection for a woman.

At most, there was some admiration and a sense of fun watching Damien Lancaster get jealous.

Tristan Sterling chuckled softly, pulling her into his embrace, hands on her slender waist, "Who says I’m pretending? Kyle bangs on about Sophie at home every day; why not marry you back home and give Kyle a second uncle?"

Ivy Summers’ body tensed slightly, frowning.

"How about I prove my affection for you now?" With that, Tristan Sterling leaned down.

Ivy Summers’ eyes darkened, "Tristan! We could be cousins!"

Tristan Sterling paused, seeing the panic in Ivy Summers’ eyes. The woman quickly broke away from his arms.

Tristan Sterling reached out and pulled her back into the crook of his arm, "Alright, cousins. Let’s go."

They were already quite close to the banquet hall entrance, so Gregory Lancaster and the others noticed the scene.

Seraphina Kennedy frowned, "Why do so many men surround Ivy Summers?"

Phillip Shaw’s face turned cold, "Shameless. Gregory, Seraphina, how can Ivy Summers attend Damien and Rachel’s engagement party?"

"I brought her, is that not allowed?" Tristan Sterling heard this and stopped to look at Phillip Shaw.

Phillip Shaw was slick and wouldn’t dare offend the Sterling Family. Seeing Gregory Lancaster and Seraphina Kennedy say nothing, he just smiled and said, "Of course...it’s okay."

"What about the three children? Leaving them at home while you attend the party?" Seraphina Kennedy asked.

"The children are at my friend’s home, safe."

Seraphina Kennedy pursed her lips, pulled Ivy Summers aside, speaking in a lowered voice, "Ivy Summers, I won’t hold past things against you, but today is Damien’s engagement day. Don’t stir up trouble."

Ivy Summers gave a slight smile, "Don’t worry..." I will definitely stir up trouble.

After saying this, Ivy Summers and Tristan Sterling walked in.

Once inside, many eyes fell on them.

Ivy Summers heard the murmurs.

"Isn’t that Ivy Summers? At Young Master Lancaster’s engagement party, she actually came."

"A mistress, shameless. Look at the diamond ring on her finger—that’s the one Young Master Lancaster gave her. Despite knowing Young Master Lancaster is engaged to Miss Shaw, she’s still seducing him. She’s really shameless."

"But wasn’t she Young Master Lancaster’s former wife?"

"You did say ’former’; they divorced. There’s no longer a relation. For her to still seduce him, it’s her problem. Online, people are cursing her as a mistress."

"Do you see who’s beside her?"

"It’s Young Master Tristan Sterling from the Sterling Family!"

"It really is! Why did they come together?"

"I heard at the Sterling Family’s party last time, Young Master Tristan Sterling stood up for her and taught Miss Shaw a lesson. Seems like those two have a deeper connection."

"A bitch is just a bitch, getting a diamond ring from Young Master Lancaster while still hanging around Young Master Tristan Sterling."

Their voices were not low, as if meant for Ivy Summers to hear.

Ivy Summers smiled calmly, raised her hand, the diamond ring dazzling under the crystal chandelier, "It’s really beautiful, don’t you think?"

Tristan Sterling curled his lips, "I think so too."

Ivy stood straight, walking past those who had just insulted her.

Tristan followed behind her, stopping, stepping back a few paces, glancing at the few who were frozen in place, "It takes capital to string someone along. She has it, unfortunately, you don’t."

"This..." They were speechless, their expressions frozen solid.

As Ivy took a few steps forward, she ran into Zachary Lancaster, dressed in formal attire, "Sister-in-law, I was just looking for you. My brother asked me to accompany you."

Zachary took a glance behind Ivy, immediately sensing a crisis for Damien Lancaster, "Why are you with my sister-in-law?"

Ivy replied, "He’s my date for tonight."

"Second Young Master Lancaster," Tristan extended his hand amicably.

Zachary let out a couple of laughs, coldly shaking hands with him.

"Second Young Master Lancaster, you’ve got it wrong. You shouldn’t call her sister-in-law."

"I just love to call her that."

Zachary withdrew his hand.

Ivy asked, "Did your brother ask you to watch over me, afraid that I would cause trouble at his engagement party?"

"My brother isn’t afraid of you causing trouble."

"Oh." Anyway, she had already prepared a gift for them, fear wouldn’t help.

Rachel Shaw had been constantly making her feel nauseous.

She naturally had to return the favor.

Ivy continued to walk forward, found a slightly quieter place to sit down.

Behind her, two tall and handsome men stood guard like two sentries, making those who wanted to mock her lose their courage, all taking a detour around her.

...

Rachel Shaw was still in the dressing room putting on makeup, hearing that Ivy had arrived, she sneered at her phone, "She actually dares to come? Isn’t she afraid of being drowned in saliva?"

These days, the video of Damien Lancaster putting a ring on Ivy Summers had gone viral, with someone guiding public opinion to attack Ivy Summers as the "mistress."

Ivy had already become a target for everyone’s criticism online.

Penelope Page chuckled, "Her coming is perfect, watching you get engaged to Damien will make her completely give up, won’t it?"

Rachel put down her phone, smiling happily at the mirror, "That’s right."

Looking at her beautiful daughter in the mirror, Penelope placed a hand on her shoulder, somewhat excited, "Rachel, my daughter, today you finally got your wish, to marry the man you love. Mom is happy for you."

Rachel’s nose suddenly tingled.

Yes, she had worked so hard for this.

Finally, today had come!

Tonight, she would be the most eye-catching presence.

Tonight, she would be the most beautiful bride.

In the future, she would be the Young Madam Lancaster that everyone envies, the matriarch of the Lancaster Family.

The hardships endured these days were not in vain.

Rachel placed her hand over Penelope’s, "Mom, has Damien arrived? Is Damien here?"

"He should be, the engagement party is about to start."

Penelope patted Rachel’s shoulder, indicating not to be nervous, her gaze falling on her wrist, "When did you get a bracelet with such quality jade?"

Rachel raised her hand, admiring it, "It’s Ivy Summers’.

"Didn’t you say it was taken back?"

"The one they took back was mine."

Rachel loved jade, and that day she just happened to wear an all-green one, similar to Ivy’s, just a slightly weaker color.

But that slight difference wasn’t noticeable without putting the two bracelets together.

Penelope took another look, the bracelet was indeed good, quality, color, nothing to nitpick.

"How could Ivy have such a good bracelet? Ordinary families, even ours, could use it as a family heirloom."

"Ivy said it was her mother’s relic!"

"That makes it even more suspicious, selling the Summers’ family couldn’t buy this bracelet, where did Ivy’s mother, a woman living off the Summers family, get it?"

Rachel also puzzled, "Who knows."

"After all, it’s a relic, on such a joyful day, you shouldn’t wear it."

"No." Rachel lifted her arm, admiringly, "I insist on wearing it. Ivy flaunts the ring Damien bought her, I’ll flaunt her mother’s relic at my wedding."

Seeing her insistence, Penelope said nothing more, "Have something to eat first, soon you won’t have time."

Penelope got some snacks for Rachel, who barely took a bite when a wave of nausea hit, causing her to bend over and vomit.

Panicked, Penelope hurriedly patted her back, asking, "What’s wrong? Not feeling well?"

"No, just feeling nauseous..."

"Nauseous?" Penelope paused, the next second, her eyes lit up, "Rachel, are you... expecting?"

Rachel looked up, "Huh?"

Her eyes widened, unconsciously placing her hand on her belly.

It’s been over a month since their first time together.

They took no precautions then.

"Did your period come this month?" Penelope asked urgently.

Rachel thought for a moment, blushing and shook her head.

"Have you been feeling nauseous all this time?"

"It seems... like it!"

Penelope laughed out loud in joy, "Then chances are high that you are, Rachel, this is a double blessing!"

Rachel couldn’t believe it, her breathing became rapid with excitement, "Mom, is it true? Am I... pregnant?"

"I wouldn’t say for sure, but chances are high!"

Rachel covered her belly, laughing happily.

Damien, do you know? You’re going to be a father again.

You love children so much, you’ll be happy, right?