Incoming...

As soon as Emma went away, Olivia tore off the mask on her face.

"Look at that pretentious bug. I hate how arrogant she behaves when she is with us. How are we any different from her?" Olivia stared daggers at Emma.

Whenever she was with Emma, she felt like a lackey. She believed Emma never treated her as an equal. She always wanted Emma to pay the bill but when she did, she felt as if Emma was belittling her for not having money.

Her mind was crooked and blamed all her shortcomings on Emma. If she could, she would have had Emma completely disappear.

"Calm yourself down and look around before you speak Olivia. Your disregard of thinking before speaking will put us at stake one day," Jennifer imperatively said, reminding Olivia that they were still inside the Woods Mansion and that if someone was to eavesdrop on them, the consequences would be horrible.

She was the most level-headed person among the three of them. Although she also hated Emma to her guts, she did not go around beating drums about it.

She knew that they must proceed cautiously when dealing with Emma.

Emma belonged to a prestigious family and had a firm foothold in the art industry and was well-received due to her painting "The Seven Seas".

'But not anymore. You will cry blood tears when you fall from your high horse.' Jennifer mercilessly thought.

She wanted Emma to beg her and always be dependent on her. She had been planning this ever since she saw Emma's painting.

The only way to bring her down from her throne was Max, whom she chased all her life.

If Max rejected her in front of everyone, she'll lose her mind there and then. They wouldn't even need to do anything. Emma would cause her destruction on her own.

'How devastated you would be after today, Emma. You might even want to end your life. That would be the most pleasant outcome. The day you've been thinking of as the most blessed will change into an accursed day in front of your eyes and you'll lose everything you own. Be ready for a fabulous show' Jennifer inwardly thought with a sinister smile on her lips.

"Words can't express my delight. I'm getting goosebumps just imagining her expression. How she would beg Max only to be responded with chilly words." Susan cheerfully said.

"Can you understand human language? I just asked Olivia to pay attention to her surroundings. Now you too are speaking as you please" Jennifer said annoyed with these two blockheads.

She had spent a lot of time and money planning and executing this strategy. She had even taken the risk to send Ana Smith to Max for her plan to succeed.

If it failed, there will be no way to clean up the mess. She regretted telling these stupid crows about her plan.

But what's done can't be undone. So, she could only wait patiently and watch over these two, lest they cause a scene and draw attention.

She turned around and grabbed a glass from the waiter passing by. Her eyes were glued to the entrance as if impatiently wanting a person to show up.

'When Ana comes, everything will fall into its place. Soon, very soon' Jennifer reassured herself.

Emma was standing with her mother, lightly making small talk with Mrs. Shelby, who was complimenting her gray eyes. Everyone liked her eyes when they first meet her. She inherited her eyes from her paternal grandmother and was proud of them.

"Oh my! You have such a beautiful daughter Mrs. Woods. Where had you hidden this gem?" Mrs. Shelby said surprised.

Emma was already beautiful but today she had especially taken time to get ready as she wanted Max to see her only in perfect condition.

"Emma doesn't attend social gatherings and there was no chance to introduce her to you. Emma say hello to Mrs. Shelby," Mrs. Woods said smilingly and instructed Emma at the end.

"Greetings, Mrs. Shelby. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"How lovely! How old are you?" Mrs. Shelby asked as she found Emma pleasing to the eyes.

"Thank you. I am turning 20 this year" Emma responded. Mrs. Shelby was her father's godmother and held a lot of power in the upper class due to her charity programs.

"You are still young. How about I arrange a date with my son? He's 23 this year. I'm pretty sure you'll come to like him," Mrs. Shelby lightly recommended.

A lot of people had proposed to her since she won the Championship but her eyes were on Max only.

Emma just smiled in response when Mrs. Gatsby interjected.

"It's too late. She's about to be taken. You might not know but Emma and Max Davies are childhood sweethearts. Today they are going to be engaged"

"Is that so? Then I'm too late. She is the perfect daughter-in-law for me. Where shall I find someone so beautiful and obedient?" Mrs. Shelby lamented.

"In the first meeting, you have already decided on your daughter-in-law. I feel bad for your son," Mrs. Gatsby joked. Everyone laughed at her remark.

All of a sudden, the people standing close to the entrance stopped talking.

Emma looked curiously towards the entrance to find the cause of this abnormal situation.

There she saw him, her first love, standing tall with a slight smile on his lips.

Emma was mesmerized by his smile which he seldom showed.

Emma looked at his carefully combed thick brown hair, black tuxedo, and hazel eyes that were fixed on the girl standing by him. He exuded gentleness that was impossible to ignore.

Emma went into a trance-like state, bewildered and distraught with questions occupying her mind, 'Who is She? And why is she with my Max?'

Everyone stopped what they were doing and observed the man who was the rumored fiancé of the youngest daughter of the Woods.

Some were confused while others watched with glee wanting a drama to take place.

But one thing was unanimously agreed upon. That is no one was to step forward and confront Max Davies as they were just guests.

Max stepped forward tenderly holding the hand of the girl under the scrutiny of guests.

He didn't care that it was his engagement announcement ceremony. Nor did he care about Emma.

His only purpose for coming here was to set things straight and break off his relationship with Emma. And he was going to achieve his goal no matter what.

Emma looked at Max apprehensively. She couldn't believe that Max would pull up such a stunt and, on the day, they were supposed to be engaged.

She turned wanting to step forward but her mother grabbed her hand silently warning her with her eyes not to act rashly.

Emma pleadingly gazed at her mom, but Mrs. Woods didn't care and gripped her hand more strongly.

She winced but remained quiet, once again directing her eyes to Max, who slowly made his way toward her grandfather. He didn't even spare her a glance.

Max went straight to where William Woods was sitting with his son, Adrian Woods, and his peers.

Max waited for a moment before calling out, "Grandfather"

William looked back, his lips curling into a smile when he laid his eyes on Max. "You've arrived, young man. We were waiting for you," William responded.

"Grandfather, I've got something to tell you," Max restlessly said.

"What could be so important at the moment?" William frowned then continued, "First, let's exchange the rings. We'll talk later. You are already late. And where's Morris and Hana?" William said asking about Max's parents in the end.

"Grandfather, I have something to discuss with you, privately. It's important." Max emphasized "privately"

Susan and Olivia were alarmed. If Max discussed the matter privately, all their efforts would go down the drain.

The Woods family could get away by simply saying that Emma and Max were not ready to be engaged yet and Emma would get away unscathed and their whole scheme will fail.

They could not let that happen. Jennifer looked at Olivia, motioning her to say something.

Olivia got the hint and tenderly said, "Brother Max, do you know how late you are? Emma has been waiting for you since morning. Let me take you to her. It wouldn't be good if we delay exchanging the rings."

"But Who is this girl with you?" Susan discreetly asked looking concerned, directing everyone's attention towards the girl.

William looked behind Max and saw a girl holding the back of Max's hand confidently.

It was a petite blonde and looked about 5ft. She did not appear nervous as everyone focused on her.

"It's Okay," Max whispered. William's jaw tightened as he saw this blatant display of affection before him.

His eyes captured the scene of Max gently brushing her hand and holding it as he stroked it to provide comfort.

William grew increasingly displeased with Max's actions.

"She's my girlfriend," Max introduced.

Emma was stupefied. Her brain stopped processing the sudden burst of information and she felt as if she was drowning. She had been so happy to see Max just now. Why was he saying such things? Her heart dropped at the answer she got.