The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape novel Chapter 122

CASSIE 12: Engagement

[Cassie]

After resting for two days at the mansion, I received an invitation from Asher’s family.

Mom mentioned they were also invited, so I assumed it was just a simple dinner between our families.

My assumption changed when Asher sent me an ivory chiffon gown, personally delivered by his family’s butler.

“Is he staying at the mansion now, Mr. Butler?” I asked, referring to the Reids.

“Yes, Miss,” he replied politely. Then, as if to defend his master, he added, “He’s quite preoccupied preparing for tonight’s event. He even declined invitations from his friends.”

I nodded, not pressing for further details. I was curious about the invitation, but one question kept bothering me: why did he send an ivory gown?

A flutter of anxiety settled in my stomach. I sincerely hoped this wasn’t meant to be a public engagement announcement.

Before we left, I wanted to talk to Dad about what we had discussed back in London after I had closed the deal with Ronan Carter. Dad has always kept his promises, and I was holding on to that hope.

As I was getting prepared, my phone chimed with a message from Ronan Carter: “Are you backing out of our deal, Cassie?”

Me: “No.”

Ronan: “I’m also in Singapore. Here to oversee and evaluate a project.”

Me: “I said we’d start our agreement in a month. But do you have some free time?”

Since I’ve already accepted Ronan as my future boyfriend–at least in theory–I figured there’s no harm in getting to know him more.

He didn’t reply right away.

‘Maybe he’s busy,‘ I thought.

His reply arrived just as I was preparing to leave my room.

Ronan: “Absolutely! I’ll take you to my art gallery here.”

An art gallery? That revelation surprised me.

Me: “You paint?”

Ronan: “You’ll discover that soon.”

I tucked my phone into a diamond–studded clutch and thanked my stylists before heading out to join my parents in the waiting vehicle.

Upon arriving at the venue, an event coordinator intercepted me, asking me to remain outside momentarily. She handed me a bouquet of yellow roses, which deepened my confusion about the evening’s true purpose.

I shared a look with my dad, who watched me with a neutral expression but still allowed things to move forward.

If Dad betrays me tonight, there’s a real chance I might just walk away from my identity as a Monroe completely.

The coordinator went over details I couldn’t care less about. My attention wandered as unfamiliar guests started to enter the venue. I felt uneasy, realizing I didn’t recognize most of them.

“Where’s Isabella?” I whispered, inadvertently loud enough for the coordinator to hear.

“Isabella?”

“Yes, my best friend. Shouldn’t she be here?”

If this was meant to be my official engagement, I knew without doubt that Asher would have ensured Isabella’s presence- even if it meant flying her in from the moon.

The coordinator flipped through her clipboard papers, scrutinizing the guest list. Growing impatient, I took the list from her hands and examined it myself.

The names listed were mainly unfamiliar to me, except for my parents. However, I did recognize several of Asher’s friends and some of his family members.

I returned the list without a second thought and Successfully unlocked! mmediately spotting my mom. Her expression showed apparent displeasure–they had been seated at the far end of the gathering, like being placed at the outcast table in a high school cafeteria.

Across the room, I could see Asher’s mom looking pretty stressed at the front.

That’s when I spotted her, Vanessa Ashford, walking out from behind the curtains, wearing the exact same dress as mine.

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CASSIE 12. Engagement

The only distinctions between us were our makeup styles, hair arrangements, and chosen accessories,

Her cousin was also at the front table, and, if I wasn’t mistaken, the entire group near the entrance appeared to be Vanessa s family.

“Thank you, everyone, for joining us this evening,” announced a voice over the sound system. “We welcome you to Mr. Asher Reid’s engagement celebration.”

A subtle, knowing smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Then, just as I was about to settle in, one of the guests stood up and poured red wine all over my dress! Chaos erupted immediately.

“You bitch! Why are you wearing the same gown as my friend?” she screamed.

“She clearly can’t accept that she and Mr. Reid are over, so now she’s trying to sabotage the event!”

One by one, strangers poured red wine over me. The sharp scent of alcohol made my head spin, and I shivered as the liquid seeped down my chest and arms.

“Get out of here! What kind of fool are you to show up like this?”

“Everyone, friends, please calm yourselves,” Vanessa interjected with feigned concern. “There must be some kind of misunderstanding happening here…”

Her cousin watched smugly, clearly enjoying the chaos. Then Asher’s mother stepped forward, her face twisted in disbelief. “What kind of sick joke is this?” she snapped. “Why are you wearing the same dress, Vanessa?”

“I… I didn’t know anything about this, madam!” Vanessa stammered. “I swear!”

The humiliation grew worse when the big screen at the front of the hall suddenly lit up with old high school photos of Vanessa and Asher together. The slideshow continued, showing more pictures of them at work events and social gatherings recently.