I stumbled. I accidentally bumped into the dining table behind me. Instantly, the cups and plates shattered all over the floor. The sharp shards cut my calf.
I looked up to see the chaos. Instead, I was met with the gazes of the guests who were either sarcastic or sympathetic towards me.
“Patrick, what made you go crazy like this?”
My dad's face was livid. On the other hand, my mom hid behind the crowd. She did not dare to look at me. Meanwhile, Bartholomew was being held aside by Vincenza. The man smiled at me arrogantly.
There was a strong sense of disgust in Vincanza's eyes as he looked at me. My eyes couldn't bear to see all this. I chose to immediately turn around and leave them.
I stepped on shards of glass as I turned around, but I still had to straighten my back to prevent anyone from seeing my embarrassment. I found my friend, Theodore Hemerford, among the guests. I stayed at his house for a few days.
After hearing everything I said, Theodore was so angry that he started to curse, “Even if Vincenza, the most beautiful girl in the whole city, doesn't want you, you don't have to marry that crazy woman from the Martinez Family!”
“You paid so much for Bartholomew, but Vincenza didn't even have a thank you. What kind of a Christian woman is that? She is simply…”
Theodore was suddenly silenced. At the entrance of the gallery, Vincenza carefully put her arm around Bartholomew.
They walked in together. Bartholomew was wearing a casual suit. He looked exceptionally handsome.
“This painting is good!”
He suddenly pointed at the painting in front of us. Vincenza immediately gave a signal to the staff in the gallery.
“We will take this painting.”
Theodore immediately stood in front of them and said, “What do you mean? We saw it first!”
Bartholomew's expression was somewhat unhappy. I said coldly, “Never mind, just give it to them.”
“On what grounds?” Theodore was shaking with anger.
I pulled his hand. “Let's go, I don't really like that painting anymore.”
Throughout the afternoon, Bartholomew followed us like a shadow. In the end, all the paintings in the gallery were bought by Vincenza.
Just as we were about to leave, the crystal chandelier suddenly crashed down. A child was standing under the crystal chandelier.
In the nick of time, I rushed over and pushed the frightened child away from there. At the moment of severe pain, I saw Vincenza's hesitant steps approaching me.
“Vincenza.”
Bartholomew suddenly pulled Vincenza somewhat weakly. “I don't seem to be feeling well. Can we get out of here now?”
Vincenza supported Bartholomew. They turned away without hesitation.
When I woke up again, Theodore cursed with red eyes. “Vincenza! She is a cruel woman!”
I turned on my cell phone with a pale face. On the Instagram account, a photo appeared of Bartholomew accompanying Vincenza to see flowers in the city park.
“Don't be angry, Theodore.”
I said softly, “Have you forgotten? The person I am going to marry is Liewellyn.”
He was even more angry after hearing what I said. In order not to let my mom worry about me, I lied to her that I went on a trip. But in fact, I was alone in the hospital for three days.
On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Vincenza actually took the initiative to contact me. She asked to meet at the most expensive restaurant in the city centre.
She pushed a very beautiful gift box. There was a scarf inside.
“I will fulfil the engagement, as long as you stop targeting Bartholomew.”
I laughed at myself. “No need, it was originally my brother's engagement with you.”
“Bartholomew was not feeling well that day,” she explained for the first time.
Before she finished speaking, Bartholomew walked over in big steps. He was wearing the latest watch from a certain brand in his hand. The scarf, however, was just a bonus item that was given to him when he bought the watch.
“Patrick.”
He pulled Vincenza's hand affectionately. “I especially asked Vincenza to pick out a gift for you. Do you like it?”
The watch on his wrist pierced my eyes. I forced a smile and left them.
When I got home, I saw my mom limping down the stairs. I immediately went to her.
“Mom!”
I rushed over to help her. I then accidentally found a bruise on her wrist.
“Did Bartholomew push you again?” I couldn't stop my voice from shaking.
Over the years, Bartholomew had always scolded my mom. He treated my mom as a mistress. He even dared to hit her, even though my mom married his dad after his biological mom passed away.
