A Toast

Chantal anticipated for Lucas to make up a story. She expected him to come up with an incredible story to impress the family. Henry on the other hand, quietly listened, waiting for Lucas's answer.

Lucas's eyes were frosty, contradictory to the smile playing on his lips.

"Chantal!" Diana jumped out of her seat and went closer to Chantal.

"Isn't this party about both of you and your fiance?" Wendy sensed the tension on the table.

"Is your family into business?" Henry queried, ignoring Diana. He wanted to unmask this fraud.

Lucas nodded. "I doubt the Winchester and Ward Families would meet my family in the business world", sounding humble.

Not only could he read people's personality, he could even imitate them.

Henry squinted his eyes. "Are you saying your family is above ours." He challenged him. If Lucas would take the bait then he would fall on Henry's trap.

"Not at all." Lucas waved his hand, chuckling. "Our businesses are simply in different industries."

"Oh.. what does your family do, then?" Chantal interrogated. She will make Diana and her fake boyfriend reveal their

scheme.

"We sell books." Lucas simply said. It was not false. He just downplayed their company's capability. They do indeed sell books that are published research works of their scientists.

Henry mocked him inwardly. 'Does he expect to impress everyone with this?'

"Ah. I see. A bookstore then." Henry let his guard down. This person is no match with him.

"Oh.. One of my friends met you at a Tailor shop. She told me that the people there called you Young Master?" Chantal was not done yet.

"Don't a lot of shops do that though? To gain patronage from their customers, they would refer to them as Masters, right? It's probably just a gimmick." Wendy offhandedly said.

Diana chuckled. "Yes, some shops do that."

Chantal was still not convinced. Beatrice went to a high end Tailor Shop. Gimmicks like that are a joke to them.

"They went to Giovanni's Thread. I don't think they'll waste their time on gimmicks like that. Plus, they didn't do the same thing to Beatrice and Troy." Chantal harshly said, looking down on Wendy as if she said something stupid.

Lucas faced Diana and patted her hand. "Actually, Mr. Giovanni is a good friend of my grandfather. He has called me that ever since I could remember."

"Then your grandfather must be a great author that he idolizes or someone he looks up to." Wanda supplied.

Lucas chuckled. "Oh, not at all. My grandfather has known him since the time Mr. Giovanni was still starting his career. Grandfather has been a patron ever since."

"Oh I see. I'll probably be the same if I ever owned a shop and I have one loyal customer. I'd be so grateful for his loyalty as a client." Wanda stated.

Lucas only smiled.

Diana calmed down inwardly. She knows Chantal and Henry's motives for asking Lucas. No matter what they'll say anyway, they won't believe it. And if they reveal the whole picture, their families would only take advantage of Lucas. She can't let that happen. She wanted to get their attention away from Lucas but it looks like Lucas have it handled.

Osmond saw Chantal and Henry linger at Diana's table. Worried that they'll cause a scene, he got up and went to them.

"Chantal, Henry.. I think it's time for a toast." Osmond reminded Chantal.

"Oh, right." Chantal giggled. "Let's go babe." She pulled Henry to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention here please." The host announced.

Everyone quieted down. The staff called the others and those outside went back in.

"Today is a special day for me, Henry, and our families. As you all know, today we are officially engaged to be married. We will not have a long engagement though. We have decided to get married in May, next month." Chantal announced, holding a wine glass with sparkling water.

"We welcome all of the guests here and for those friends and acquaintances who were not able to make it today, to celebrate our union. Thank you everyone! Cheers!" Henry added.

The people clapped and raised their glass for a toast, exclaiming their felicitations.

Diana and Lucas clapped, looking bored. Lucas whispered to her ear. And Diana giggled, bumping her shoulder against his.

Vanessa saw this scene and her eyes squinted at them, determined to have a word with Diana. 'Are they trying to get the attention from Chantal and Henry? They're pretending to be all sweet. Hmp.'

The party continued, following the host's prepared program. Diana excused herself and went to the bathroom.

When she got out of the cubicle, she was startled to see her mother.

"Mother." Diana nodded and proceeded to wash her hands.

Vanessa tapped her heels on the floor, her arms crossed.

"First of all, you were almost late. Secondly, you brought a stranger with you. And third, you're making it obvious that you have an issue with Chantal and Henry." She ranted, washing her hands harshly.

Closing the tap, she wiped her hands with a paper towel.

"I apologize for almost coming late. And the person I'm with is not a stranger. He is my boyfriend. For the last time, I have already moved on from Henry…" She sighed.

"I don't believe that guy is your boyfriend." Rolling her eyes, Vanessa clenched her fist.

Diana shook her head. "What can I do? He really is my boyfriend. We're a new couple but our relationship is very real."

Just then, some guests from the party came inside the bathroom, making their conversation end.

The two left the bathroom one after the other. The tension was evident between them.

"Mother. I'm not feeling well. My boyfriend and I will leave now." Diana said.

Vanessa was about to say more but just then two more guests were approaching the bathroom. She had no choice but to postpone her rant. "Of course. Have a safe trip then. Rest well." Although Vanessa's lips was pulled in a smile, her eyes didn't show it.

"Alright. I'll see you at home." Diana was already an expert at this. She's already used to Vanessa pretending everything is okay between them.

Diana wondered when exactly her relationship with Vanessa become strained.