Return of the supreme Consortium heir

Chapter 8

Stella and Brandley stepped into the Morgan's mansion only to be met with a sight that took them by surprise. What they had expected to be a quiet family meeting had turned out to be a lavish party as the mansion had suddenly transformed into a spectacle of extravagance.

Shimmering lights illuminated the grand hall, casting an ethereal glow over the opulent surroundings. Guests who were adorned in designer attire mingled and laughed, their voices carrying through the air with an air of luxury and sophistication. It was clear to Stella that this was no ordinary gathering - it was a gathering of the elite, a display of wealth and status.

Yet, amidst the glittering crowd, Stella couldn't shake the feeling of unease that washed over her. She noticed the subtle glances and whispers exchanged between the guests as she and Brandley made their way through the room. It was as though they were fugitives in a world they didn't belong to, with everyone staring at with suspicion and disdain.

"What are they doing here?" Some of the guests murmered amongst themselves.

"They look like beggars." Some other group of gathered guests whispered among themselves.

Stella paid no attention to what they were saying. She was still looking for Alex and Jacob who were the reasons she had come to the mansion and not for some fancy party that they were throwing.

"Is that her son? He looks like a blacksmith." Some of the ladies said pointing to Brandley. Brandley, like his mother paid no attention to them either. His only regret was not dressing properly as he thought it was just a family meeting they were going for.

Going further a bit, Brandley was awe struck to see Via's friends - Tonia, Lucy and Isabel. He wondered what was going on and why Via was the only person missing from the group.

"Hello, Brandley." Tonia greeted, her voice tinged with mockery.

Brandley pretended not to have heard her as it was obvious she was only trying to get his attention so she and the rest of her friends could mock him.

"Come on Brandley. Tonia is greeting you." Isabel said with a smirk.

"Yes Brandley. Why are you acting like you don't know who we are?" Lucy concluded and what came afterwards was a mocking laughter.

Stella was surprised to see the girls make jest of Brandley.

"Who are those girls and why were they laughing at you?" Stella asked.

"Forget about them mother. They're not worth our time." Brandley replied pulling his mother away from where the girls were. 

Brandley had not yet seen Alex and he was beginning to wonder what was really going on.

The master of ceremony picked the microphone to address the guests present, causing a momentary silence to come upon everyone in the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we've come to witness the engagement party of Alex Morgan and Via Turkey. Let's give a toast as we welcome them on stage." He announced.

As Alex and Via took the stage, Brandley's heart clenched with a mixture of pain and resentment. It was all too clear now - Alex had orchestrated this entire event to flaunt his newfound happiness in front of Brandley, to assert his superiority that he was the better guy after all.

Stella sensed her son's turmoil and squeezed his hand reassuringly, silently offering him comfort in the face of such blatant cruelty. She could see the anguish in his eyes, the raw emotion threatening to consume him, and she wished she could shield him from the pain.

"Thank you everyone for coming around tonight. Tonight is a special night for me and my father." Alex began. Jacob was already around and was seated proudly among the very influential guests he had invited.

"Tonight I'll be asking the most beautiful girl in the world to marry me." He announced.

Removing the small jewellery box from his pocket, Alex knelt before Via, a romantic ambiance enveloping them in a cocoon of enchantment. The soft strains of the music, the twinkling fairy lights, and the fragrant flowers set the perfect stage for his proposal.

With a trembling hand, Alex opened the box, revealing the dazzling ring that sparkled in the gentle glow of the lights. His heart pounded with nervous anticipation as he posed the question.

"Via Turkey, will you marry me?"

The crowd held its breath, their eyes fixed on the couple as they awaited Via's response. Despite knowing Alex's intentions, Via's heart fluttered with excitement at the grand gesture unfolding before her.

Her eyes widened in astonishment, the moment feeling surreal yet undeniably magical. Unable to contain her emotions, she uttered a resounding yes, her voice filled with joy and love.

"Yes, Alex Morgan. I'll marry you."

Cheers erupted as Alex slid the ring into her finger.

"For love and happiness," The master of ceremony said raising a glass of wine for another wonderful toast.

"For love and happiness," the crowd chorused as glasses clenched on one another.

Waiters went about with trays of champagne, offering glasses to guests who had no wine to give a toast to the couple's happiness.

Brandley could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes. He could see his world collapse before his very eyes and yet unable to do anything about it.

"Congratulations girl," he heard Via's friends say out loud from behind him.