Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 703

"You're terrified you're going to fail, so you're tying yourself to Theodore to secure your status as the future Mrs. Glenn! You're just using his name to buy your way into the elite circle!"

"This isn't Hollywood, Emilia! You can't fake your way to the top with cheap PR stunts!"

The man's voice boomed through the speakers, echoing sharply off the high ceilings.

The crowd stood frozen in disbelief.

"This guy has a death wish," was the collective thought shared by everyone in the ballroom and the thousands watching online.

But more importantly, the burning question was—"How is Emilia going to respond?"

The crushing weight of a thousand stares settled squarely on Emilia's shoulders.

Yet, she remained utterly unfazed.

She lifted her microphone, radiating quiet, unshakeable authority.

"Thank you for bringing those concerns to light," Emilia said smoothly, sweeping her gaze across the room. "I imagine quite a few people here harbor the exact same doubts."

This was exactly why she had let him speak.

She preferred dealing with vipers in the open rather than letting them hiss in the shadows.

Now that the accusation was out there, she could crush it publicly.

Emilia let her gaze linger on the crowd before locking eyes with the man who had insulted her.

She said, "First of all, who I choose to marry does not require your approval."

"Secondly."

She looked away from the man, addressing the entire room.

"This is what I truly want everyone to hear tonight."

Her smile was magnetic, laced with fierce determination.

"I will prove my worth in the days to come."

She continued, "My opening speech wasn't empty rhetoric."

"Words are cheap, and excuses are easy to make. But hard results and undeniable competence speak for themselves."

"Give me time, and you will all see..."

"I will rebuild the Dennis family legacy!"

As she spoke, the spotlight caught the fierce, unyielding fire in her eyes. There was no trace of the victim she had been painted as, nor was there any sign of fear or hesitation.

In that moment, she was the absolute center of gravity in the room.

It was a brilliant counter, and another round of applause broke out.

The man stammered, trying to hold his ground.

But Theodore wasn't finished.

"You say she's clinging to me? Using me to climb the ladder?"

"I'm afraid you have the dynamic entirely backward. I'm the one clinging to her."

Theodore chuckled softly. "I think all of Alden City remembers the tabloid frenzy when I first started pursuing Emilia, right?"

"Let me set the record straight right now."

Theodore nodded with absolute sincerity. "It was all true. I chased her relentlessly. I fought tooth and nail for her attention."

The disruptive man's jaw practically unhinged in shock.

Theodore looked out at the sea of faces.

"I love Emilia. Our decision to marry was made with careful consideration. I don't want to hear another word about who is or isn't worthy."

"Because if we must keep score, let's be clear—I am the one who doesn't deserve her."