Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 32

Cecilia's eyes widened when she saw Stephanie's wrist. "The old lady gave you that, too?"

Stephanie nodded. "She said it's a family heirloom. And from my years of experience with antiques, I can tell this bracelet has been passed down for generations. It's a priceless heirloom."

That shut Cecilia up.

Actually, considering the groom's circumstances as Stephanie described them—an active-duty soldier who was rarely home, and a gay man who'd want separate rooms—it really wasn't a bad deal. Worst case, she could just divorce him in a year. They'd hardly ever see each other, so it's not like they would even be intimate.

Plus, the in-laws were incredibly generous, giving her such a valuable bracelet without a second thought.

Cecilia muttered, "Is the patron saint at Aeterna Abbey really that powerful? Do wishes really come true there? I should find some time to go and pray myself..."

Stephanie smiled. "Why isn't your cousin here yet?"

They had originally planned to meet Cecilia's cousin tonight so they could go to city hall for the marriage license tomorrow. Now that she was suddenly married, she didn't need him anymore, but since he'd initially refused and she'd had to persuade him to agree, backing out now would feel like she was toying with him.

So, they decided to go ahead with the dinner anyway, treating it as a chance to make a new friend.

"I don't know, he should be here soon, right?"

As they were speaking, a man in a turtleneck sweater approached. Joseph Nguyen had a refined and gentle appearance that made him seem steady and reliable.

He took the initiative to greet Stephanie. "Hello, I'm Joseph."

Stephanie smiled and shook his hand. "Stephanie."

"Sorry I'm late, traffic was terrible. What would you like to eat? It's on me."

"That's not right. We invited you here to apologize."

She wanted to see who this Ms. Cooper was and if she posed a threat. She didn't find Ms. Cooper, but she did hear a very familiar voice.

Victoria froze. As if compelled by some unseen force, she glanced toward the adjacent private room.

The door was slightly ajar, and when she saw Stephanie dining with an unfamiliar man, a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes.

She immediately pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of the two of them, and sent it to Quennel.

[Quennel, the reason Stephanie insisted on breaking up with you is that she's already found someone else. Look.]

Quennel was buried in a mountain of paperwork.

His phone chimed with a notification. He opened it, and upon seeing the photo of Stephanie laughing and chatting with another man, the fountain pen in his hand snapped in two with a sharp crack.