Filed to story: Revenge Marriage Sweet Love Novel Read Free Online
Yvonne covered her mouth before whispering, “Is that the evening gown you…”
Melanie threw her a piercing stare immediately.
“It’s alright. Cate’s face is horrendous anyway. It’s a waste that the evening gown fell into her hands,” Yvonne said a few seconds later.
“You’re right.” In the past, Melanie was jealous of Cate for being prettier than her.
She could not be happier about the woman’s facial disfigurement.
After cheering up a little, she walked toward the newly-arrived couple with Charlie.
“Eldest Young Master Lyons, your presence at my engagement ceremony brings light to our humble ceremony.” Charlie stepped forward while smiling. Despite the polite greeting, he did not initiate a handshake.
This was Cate’s first time meeting Charlie.
Honestly, the man was rather good-looking and probably stood at about 5’7 feet tall. However, he looked sleazy when he smiled. He did not exude an honorable elegance like Shaun naturally did.
President Thompson, who was standing nearby, laughed. “Bring light to your humble ceremony? Young Master Campos, you have a bright future ahead of you. Second Young Master Lyons even signed a new collaboration strategy agreement after taking over the family business. You have so much more potential than a certain someone.”
Melanie was over the moon upon hearing that. She linked arms with Charlie before flashing a meaningful smile. “President Thompson, you shouldn’t have said that. Eldest Young Master Lyons is the most respectable young master in Canberra, not to mention the wealthiest man in Australia.”
“The wealthiest man?” President Thompson gave a snort of contempt. “He only managed to do so because of the help from the Lyons family. He’s nothing without his family’s support.”
The man paused briefly for dramatic effect before shouting at the old man who was standing not far away, “Am I right, Old Master Lyons?”
The latter sneered as he threw a sideways glance at Shaun. “It’s a shame the man himself doesn’t seem to realize that.”
President Thompson did not even try to hide the disdain in his eyes when he looked at Shaun. “Eldest Young Master Lyons, take care. You should enjoy the feast tonight with your wife. Perhaps no one else would invite you to such exclusive events in the future.”
“Well, then I shall thank President Thompson for your advice.” The corners of Shaun’s lips twitched into an enigmatic smile. He did not appear annoyed or frustrated but looked more like he was watching a ridiculous puppet show.
“Eldest Young Master Lyons, please don’t be upset.” Melanie suddenly used a hand to cover her mouth as if she had only just noticed Cate. “Oh, what happened to your face? Yikes, the uneven texture looks terrifying.”
Something cold flashed across Shaun’s eyes. He parted his lips, intending to retaliate.
Cate tightened her grip around his hand and smiled calmly. “It’s quite scary. Sometimes, I even hate myself in the middle of the night. But fortunately, Shaun gave me the confidence I needed by staying with me, encouraging me, and loving me. He doesn’t even bat an eyelid at the other women who keep trying to seduce him.”
The calmness of her tone made Melanie’s insult seem insignificant.
Quite the contrary, Cate’s words implied that Melanie had once pestered Shaun yet he would still rather be with a disfigured woman than her.
Melanie was furious at the humiliation, but an enigmatic smile flashed across Charlie’s face. “Mrs. Lyons, men don’t always tell the truth. After all, what happened to your face is truly sympathetic.”
“That’s right, I feel bad for you too,” Melanie echoed, “Besides, sometimes men say what they have to say for dignity’s sake.”
“Indeed, it’s important that a man guards his reputation. Ah, Young Master Campos, when I first arrived in Canberra and heard about the infamous rumor about you and the female university student, I thought the poor girl was going to have a change of fate. As it turns out, I was wrong.”
After pausing for a brief second, Cate said seriously to Melanie, “My younger sister, since it’s your engagement ceremony today, I’d like to give you a genuine word of advice. Every woman will turn old or ugly one day. Beautiful women are everywhere yet inner beauty never fades away. This is the real secret of maintaining a long-lasting marriage.”
“You’re right, my wife.”
Shaun said before turning to look at President Thompson. “I bet you understand this really well. After all, President Thompson, you always go after girls as young as 18. I heard you’ve found yourself another young girl recently. Mrs. Thompson must know that she’s old, thus she turns a blind eye to it all. Sigh.”
All of a sudden, Cate pretended to be angry and glared at Charlie. “Young Master Campos, you’re a good friend of President Thompson but I hope you’re not going to follow his way of life. You mustn’t disappoint Melanie, alright? ”
Charlie’s face was overcast after being humiliated like this at his own engagement ceremony. Melanie, who was quite smug earlier, also felt ashamed now.
She initially thought that Charlie was a pretty good man yet did not expect him to have a past with a young university student. The thought of it made her nauseous.
“No way. It was love at first sight between us. I’ll love and protect Melanie forever.” Charlie smiled unnaturally.
“I see. Well, Young Master Campos, it must’ve been difficult for you before this, trying to maintain this one-sided love. After all, you had to watch the love of your life pestering another man…” Cate quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Ah, pretend I didn’t say that.”
“Cate, are you doing this on purpose?” Melanie became furious. “I had poor judgment in the past. Charlie is so much better than Shaun in every way.”
“I understand.” Cate nodded affirmatively. “Especially now that Liam has taken over the family business. Otherwise, I don’t think you’d even throw him a second glance.”
“Stop with the nonsense…”
Melanie regretted inviting Cate after seeing the color slowly draining off Charlie’s complexion.
She had thought of ridiculing Cate but certainly did not expect the latter to have such a sharp tongue.
How could she be so arrogant even with the facial disfigurement?
“It’s alright, Melanie. Let’s go. We have more important guests to greet. People of their status don’t deserve too much of our time.” Charlie could not be bothered to keep on with the act any longer.
“You’re right.” Melanie linked arms with the man and walked toward the Lyons family.
However, the two of them seemed a little awkward with each other after what they had just learned.
Upon looking at their receding silhouettes, Shaun pinched the tip of Cate’s nose playfully. “Not bad at all. You even found out about Charlie’s past with the university student. How did you know about that?”
“Mireya told me. She’s become acquaintances with several missus and madams of the affluent society and heard a lot of gossip from them,” she replied with a smile. “You’re pretty good yourself for finding out about President Thompson’s love affairs.”
“I know the personalities of those presidents too well.”
The two of them walked toward the crowd hand-in-hand.
In the past, Shaun would definitely be surrounded by people within seconds but all he received today was looks of ridicule and disdain. Many of them even gossiped about Cate.
“Don’t take it personally. Soon… all these people will come to curry favors with you,” he whispered.
“I’ll pass. I don’t like being fawned over.”
Cate pouted and saw Joel walking toward her. He looked at her face with pity. “Cate, why didn’t you tell me about your face? What actually happened? Shaun Lyons, you kept saying you wanted to marry my daughter yet this is how you protect her?”
Shaun frowned, looking displeased.
Joel continued yelling angrily, “I shouldn’t have listened to your sweet promises. I should’ve just left with her…”
“Dad, Nicola was responsible for my facial disfigurement,” Cate interrupted. “Not long ago, I was locked away by the Lyons family in their dungeon. Nicola worked with Valerie and instructed the staff to poison my porridge for this to happen.”
“What?” Joel was in shock. On second thought, it did sound like something Nicola would do. “I’ll go look for this crazy woman…”
“Dad, many distinguishable guests are here to witness the engagement ceremony between the Yule and the Campos families. It’s not the time to make a scene. Besides, Old Master Lyons and the others are here too. I’m sure they’re not going to take your side.” She tried to change his mind.
Joel clenched his hands into fists. He was furious. “But your face…”
“Uncle Joel, some things take time,” Shaun said in a low voice, “I’ll make sure those who hurt Cate will pay for their actions.”
Joel felt a heavy weight lift from his chest. He had enjoyed fame and success for the major part of his life. However, he realized he owed this daughter of his so much that he could never compensate her. “Cate, I’ve decided to divorce Nicola after Melanie’s wedding. I’ll not change my mind even if everyone in the Yule family tries to stop me.”
She looked at the man in astonishment. Honestly, she thought he was too soft-hearted toward Nicola and Melanie…
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m telling the truth. I hold 40% of Yule Corporation’s shares. I’ve made up my mind to give you 35% and the remaining 5% to Melanie. I’ll get this down on paper with the lawyer as soon as possible.”
“Dad…”
“That settles it. Just sit back and relax as the shares fall into your lap. I want to make sure you can live without worry for the rest of your life. That way, you can afford to buy yourself a young man even if someone disappoints you in the future.”
He looked provocatively into Shaun’s eyes after saying that.
Cate almost choked on her saliva.
She did not expect her dad to be so open-minded.
“Dad, I’ll not disappoint her,” Shaun replied with a smile.
“Ha, men are full of lies.” Joel’s voice reeked of distrust.
“…” Shaun was at a loss for words.