"Mom—" Darcy's face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to gently shush Ione. "Don't say things like that." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Lucian and I are barely acquaintances. We just exchange industry news sometimes. Please don't embarrass me." She shot a glance at Lucian, relieved to see his attention fixed on the stage, the back of his head turned to them. Good. He didn't hear. Just then, the bride and groom ascended to the center of the stage. The ballroom lights dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight. Lucian's tightly set lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He began to clap, his demeanor calm and detached. On stage, the emcee launched into an energetic introduction. Down below, the whispers began."Such a perfect match! Childhood sweethearts, together for over a decade. How romantic!" "Absolutely. You know, Zane was the illegitimate son, only brought back to the Vance family in his teens with his mom. He and Zora have been inseparable since then. All those years, and now finally engaged! A true fairy tale." "Isn't it wonderful? And they're both so accomplished. Well, Zora is—a PhD from a top university abroad, came back and became a VP at SummitCore Tech. You know, the company Zane founded after graduation? The unicorn startup valued in the billions? They say it's going public soon. They'll be worth a fortune!" Amidst the chorus of admiration and envy, a dissenting voice sneered. "Childhood sweethearts? Please. That's not the whole story. Zane had a girlfriend before. They dated through university. She was with him through the startup grind for seven years—doing R&D, pulling clients. Then guess what—Zora came back and he dumped his girlfriend, ran off with Zora.""No way! Is that true? I never heard that." "Of course you didn't. The Vances would never let that gossip get out. And that ex-girlfriend? Just a regular girl from an ordinary family. Used her up and tossed her aside, betting she had no connections to fight back. Disgusting." Sympathy for the unnamed ex-girlfriend rippled through the group. Sitting right beside them, Darcy and Ione heard every word. Ione's face darkened with anger. Darcy patted her mother's hand, whispering, "Don't let it bother you, Mom. I'm way past caring." Ione sighed, "Good. Let it go. Who hasn't loved a few jerks in this lifetime?" Darcy couldn't help but chuckle. "Mom, have you been spending too much time on short-video apps again?" Ione gave a sheepish smile. "Ever since the surgery, you won't let me work. What else am I supposed to do at home all day but scroll my phone?" Lucian had overheard the gossip too. When he glanced at Darcy, he found her expression utterly unchanged, her focus seemingly entirely on the appetizers before her. He smiled, "Go ahead. No one said you have to wait for the speeches to eat." Darcy grinned. Her stomach had been growling for a while, and the food looked irresistible. Encouraged, she picked up a prosciutto-wrapped melon bite. "Mmm, this is amazing. You should taste it." Lucian grabbed his fork, took one too, and nodded. "It is really good." On stage, the lengthy rituals finally neared their end, approaching the climactic moment—the vows. Darcy watched the central couple while she ate, feeling as if she were observing two complete strangers. In a moment unnoticed by anyone, Lucian slipped his phone from his pocket under the table, sent a quick text—a matter of seconds—and smoothly put it away, his gaze returning to the stage. Onstage, Zane held the microphone, his eyes soft with practiced affection. "...And that's how we found our way to each other. I look forward to many more decades by your side, Zora. I love you." He reached for Zora, and they kissed. Zora, blushing and beaming, took the mic. "I love you too. I fell for you the first moment I saw you. Even though we spent years apart, when we met again, I realized I loved you even more than before." Thunderous applause filled the room again. The emcee figured that was her whole declaration—short, but heartfelt and moving. He lifted his cue card, ready to move on, when Zora kept going. "You're my first love, but I know I'm not your first woman." Zane's brow furrowed slightly. He leaned in, a low warning in his voice. "Zora—"He was trying to remind her that some conversations were meant for private moments, not public spectacle. Zora, however, seemed oblivious. "Actually, today, I'd like to thank someone here. If it weren't for her, I might not have such a wonderful fiancé." Right then, another spotlight snapped on, joining the one fixed on the stage.