Perhaps it was the sheer intensity of Sebastian's stare, but Raelynn felt an inexplicable jolt of irritation. She frowned, frustrated by the unreadable depths of his eyes.
However.
The proposal had clearly sparked the excitement of the crowd, who were more than thrilled to soak up the drama and the festive mood.
The cheers and whistles echoed relentlessly.
The energy in the room made it perfectly clear: they weren't going to let this go until the deed was done.
Even Ian seemed mildly startled. He looked at his uncle. "I haven't prepared anything. This isn't appropriate."
Garrett waved him off with a laugh. "The biggest moments in life are rarely perfectly orchestrated! Sometimes a little spontaneity is exactly what makes it magical. Besides, there are some things in life you just can't afford to delay. You'll understand when you reach my age."
As soon as the words left his mouth...
A line of waiters streamed into the room holding confetti cannons, effectively boxing Raelynn and Ian into the center of the floor, forcing them into the blinding spotlight.
Raelynn had never been thrust into a spectacle like this.
She felt utterly cornered. Of course, she understood that the older generation meant well, genuinely believing that the two of them were deeply in love and just needed a little push.
Because of that...
She couldn't exactly throw a fit.
"Mr. Hudson, we are truly blessed to witness such a beautiful moment tonight."
"Exactly! Is the great Mr. Hudson actually nervous? Afraid Ms. Ortiz will reject you?"
Good-natured teasing poured in from all sides.
Ian remained silent for a long beat.
His eyes locked onto Raelynn with fierce possessiveness as he slowly turned to face her fully. "I didn't mention this last time, but I always intended to give you a proper proposal. I never wanted to rush things or make you feel like an afterthought."
Raelynn stood rooted to the spot, entirely paralyzed.
Keeping his gaze fixed on her, Ian reached into the breast pocket of his suit—right over his heart—and pulled out a diamond ring. "I wanted to give this to you last time, but things got derailed. You mentioned you lost the ring from the Houston hotel. It's fine. That was just a complimentary gift. I didn't pick it out myself, so it didn't hold the same weight."
Everyone was waiting with bated breath for her to place her hand in Ian's, ready to erupt into celebration.
A thick layer of anticipation blanketed the room.
Right at that precise moment...
Someone stumbled hard into Sebastian's wheelchair.
A girl gasped loudly.
Her glass of red wine splashed directly onto Sebastian's chest and the leg of his trousers.
The sudden disruption immediately yanked the crowd's attention away. Dozens of eyes snapped toward the commotion, including those of the couple standing in the center.
When Raelynn looked over...
She saw a figure hovering nervously over Sebastian.
The girl had tripped, awkwardly bracing herself against the armrest of his chair. Her face was a picture of sheer panic and embarrassment as she stammered, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Croix! I was texting a friend and completely tripped over the footrest..."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...