Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

As IVy walked arm in arm with Castile onto the stage, the room grew quiet, and all eyes turned toward them. The poised pair commanded attention, their entrance perfectly timed to redirect the imminuirs and speculation in the hall

From a distance, Katrina and Shirley descended the staircase one after the other, catching sight of the scene. Katrina stopped in her tracks, choosing to stay on the

Shirley, however, glanced toward the stage and then made her way over to Katrina. She stood unnervingly close and leaned in, her voice deliberately low but dripping with venom

"See that? No matter how much you try to Interferr, it's pointless. You don't want my daughter to marry into the Zachman family? Too had. As long as Carlisle supports her, neither you tim Wren can stop it."

Shidey straightened, her tone mug as she added, "If you don't want to be humilitated, imaybe take a lesson from your niece. She knew she couldn't win and decided to leave gracefully

"Why don't you do the same? At least that way, you'll leave with a shred of dignity instead of being thrown out like trash."

Satisfied with her little speech, Shirley gave kattina's shoulder a condescending pat and strode confidently toward the stage, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor.

She joined Carlisle at his side as if it were the most natural thing in the world, standing tall and radiating self-assured charm. Carlisle, ever the gentleman when it came to Shirley, gave hea watin smile. From Katrina's vantage point, they looked uncarmily like a perfect couple

few of Carlisle's close acquaintances among the crowd exchanged knowing glances. Those privy to the whispers about his history with Shirley smirked at their open camaraderie. Upon sensing the tension in the air, others turned their attention to Katrina, hoping for a reaction.

But Katrina's Lace remained stoic, unreadable. Her icy composure disappointed the would-be spectators, who quickly averted their gaze.

iste scanned the room, and when his eyes landed on Katrina standing in the comer, his expression darkened. He motioned for her to join him onstage. Katrina didn't move. She stood rooted to the spot, ignoring him entirely.

Carlisle's irritation flared, but he swallowed his anger, aware of the many eyes watching. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward to take the microphone. "Thank you all for taking the time to join us today," Carlisle began, his voice smooth and authoritative. "We're here to celebrate my son's e

tortunately, Wren had pressing business matters to attend to and couldn't make it tonight.

*I hope you'll forgive him. When he returns, I'll make sure he personally apologizes to all of you."

's engagement to Ivy

He paused for effect, then continued, "That said, the engagement will proceed as planned. From this day forward, Ivy is officially Zachman family and future daughter-in-law - "

interruption out through the hall like a knife.

y recognized as a member of the

"I don't agree with this engagement." The sharp li

Cadile Trope, instinctively snapping his head toward Katrina,

"Stay out of this!" he barked. "This has nothing to do with you! It's the Zachmans' business

But as his gaze tell on Katrine, he realized herexpression wasn't one of defiance but supilse. She wasn't even looking at the stage.

Carlisle's stomach sank. Something was wrong. Following the collective gaze of the crowd, Carlisle turned toward the source of the voice

Afigure energed in the sea of guests, parting the throng with an air of quiet determination. As the person moved closer, Carlisle's face twisted into a mask of

s lært eyes locked onto the newcomer. Her expression darkened with loathing, and her hands clenched at her sides.

by, on the other hand, didn't recognize the figure. But the defiant words made her bristle with hostility, her glane snapping toward the intruder.

Then, the noticed Carlisle and Shibley's laces - Caliste's simmering Hury and Shirley's barely concealed venom.

Actulliantleigh bey as dread began to carep in this can't be good.