Whispers rippled through the crowd—probably betting on how spectacular my outburst would be.
But I only lifted my gaze, met his eyes calmly, and said two words:
"Okay."
Everyone froze. The probing in Ethan's eyes gave way to shock, and he stood there blank for a moment, not reacting.
Before either of them could say anything else, the host's voice rang from the front of the banquet hall, announcing that the birthday banquet was beginning.
According to the program, next came the gift presentation segment.
Guests stepped forward one by one, delivering carefully prepared gifts to Richard, offering auspicious words of blessing.
Soon it was Victoria and Ethan's turn. She clung to his arm with one hand, the other protectively cradling her lower abdomen, holding that pine-and-crane painting as they walked slowly toward the main seat.
"Uncle Richard, I wish you blessings as vast as the ocean and a life as enduring as the mountains."
"This is a birthday gift Ethan and I specially picked out for you. I hope you like it."
Richard's gaze fell on the painting, and his eyes brightened—just slightly.
But when his gaze swept over Victoria's protruding belly, they went dark again.
With so many guests present, he held his tongue. He nodded faintly and had the butler take the gift.
"Thoughtful. Take your seats."
Victoria's smile stiffened—she hadn't expected such a cold reception—but she didn't dare push it. She followed Ethan obediently back to their seats.
The moment they sat down, all eyes turned to me.
"What about the young madam of the Gilbert family? She hasn't given a gift yet, right?"
"What did Miss Ye prepare for the old man?"
"If Miss Donaldson rushed to present a painting, then Miss Shen's gift must be even more valuable, right?"
I took a deep breath and slowly rose from my corner, walking step by step toward the front of the hall.
Better to take this chance to cut all ties.
I took the microphone from the host and said, word by word:
"Thank you to all the guests for taking the time to attend the chairman's birthday banquet."
"Today, besides offering birthday wishes, I also have one thing to announce—Ethan Gilbert and I are getting divo—"
Before I could finish, the floor beneath me began to shake violently.
"Earthquake!"
Someone screamed it first, and then the banquet hall erupted into chaos.
Guests fled in all directions, screaming, tables and chairs knocked crooked or overturned entirely.
In the chaos, I looked up instinctively—and saw Ethan shoving through the crowd, running like crazy toward me, shouting my name:
"Alex Simmons!"
For a moment, my mind went blank.
The way he ran, the panic on his face—it overlapped, slowly, with that boy from seven years ago who had thrown himself in front of a knife for me.
My heart clenched.
But right then, Victoria's shrill voice cut through:
"Ethan, I'm so scared! Don't leave me!"
