Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Elara shot a glare at the person who'd yanked her back—it was Lauren, arms crossed and smirking like she'd just won something. "Elara, who do you think you are, stepping onto Princess Nancy's grand entrance?"
Elara was baffled. 'What is Lauren, the secretary from Anchor Law Firm, doing at Nancy's engagement party?'
Zoe stepped out from behind Lauren, faking concern as she helped Elara up. "Lauren, Elara is Nancy's guest of honor today. Try not to be so rude, okay?" she said.
Elara didn't bother arguing with Lauren. She turned straight to Zoe and demanded, "Where's Nancy?"
Zoe said, "The engagement party's about to begin. You'll see Nancy soon enough."
Suddenly, the entire hall was plunged into darkness, leaving only a single spotlight illuminating the ceremonial staircase.
The wedding march was playing as Nancy made her entrance, strutting down the staircase in an over-the-top white gown, blinged out with so many diamonds it was almost blinding. Anyone could see she spared no expense.
Nancy, radiant with joy, linked arms with Alex, who wore his characteristic gentle smile.
Elara looked away. She turned to leave and go find Ruby, but just as she started to move, a pair of hands shot out and blocked her path.
Lauren sneered, "Don't even think about leaving. Princess Nancy gave her orders. She wants you to witness the entire engagement ceremony with your own eyes."
Elara rolled her eyes. "Princess? Please. What country is she even the princess of, telling me what to do? You've been kissing up to her for so long that you might as well wear a collar. Now move."
Lauren's face contorted with fury. She snarled, "If it weren't for Princess Nancy's big engagement day today, I'd have slapped you already."
Elara scoffed, "Lauren, do you even have a brain? You're either playing attack dog for Zoe or being Nancy's lapdog—too dumb to realize you're just their pawn. Honestly, a woman as clueless as you wouldn't even survive the opening credits of a palace drama."
Lauren was too furious to speak. Her hand was mid-swing, about to strike Elara, when someone caught her wrist.
Elara looked up and saw Yann yank Lauren's wrist away. "Wow, slapping someone in public? Stay classy," he said.
Of course, Lauren was still fuming, but the moment she saw Yann's tailored designer suit and the million-dollar watch on his wrist, she instantly knew he was not someone to be trifled with.
Lauren quickly pulled her hand back, and Zoe jumped in. "Sorry about that, Mr. Kalmien. My friend was out of line. Didn't mean to bother you."
Yann ignored Zoe and strode over to Elara. "She's here as my companion today," he said coolly. "I suggest you show her some proper respect."
Elara was surprised at his words. After Zoe and Lauren walked away, she turned to Yann. "Thank you, Mr. Kalmien," she said.
"Don't mention it. Gotta have Adrian's girl's back, right?" he said.
Elara hesitated, torn between telling him the truth and keeping up the pretense. In the end, she chose to keep her mouth shut.
"Is Adrian still tied up with work in Hachester?" Yann asked.
Elara nodded.
"Adrian never shows up at the Hartley family's events," Yann noted. "So, what brings you here today?"
"I'm here as the groom's friend," Elara said.
Yann gave a slight nod.
Right then, the emcee's booming voice rang out. "Now, let's welcome Mr. Hartley to say a few words."
Thunderous applause filled the hall as Joseph Hartley, a distinguished gentleman in his sixties dressed in a formal suit, stepped onto the stage.
Elara glanced up, curious. It was hard not to notice how much Adrian and Joseph resembled each other—those sharp, almost cold features, deep-set eyes, and bold brows.
They all gave them that kind of aloof vibe. Even though Joseph was getting up there in age, he still seemed full of energy.
Joseph said, "Thank you all for coming to my daughter's engagement party. I really admire Alex—he's sharp, driven, and a true asset.
"Starting today, I'm giving Alex a 5% stake in the Hartley Group and naming him CEO of our Aethercrest Capital branch. Let's hear it for Alex!"
The applause kept ringing as people began buzzing about the new "prince consort."
"Years of busting your ass in school and it still doesn't beat marrying into money," someone whispered.
"Yeah, looks like the guy's just gonna be living off the Hartleys," someone added.
"Jealous? Please. Most of us could bust our asses for a lifetime and never see that kind of luxury," another said.
Someone else chimed in, "Total social climber, but you gotta admit, he's pretty easy on the eyes."
Annoyed by the gossip, Elara began edging her way out of the crowd to look for Ruby.
At that moment, the emcee's voice rang out again. "Next, let's give a warm welcome to Mr. Dylan Keating, the father of our groom-to-be, to say a few words."
Elara froze mid-step. 'So, Dylan made it out safely?' she thought.
The doors swung open, and Dylan strode in wearing a gray suit. His entrance from outside made it clear he'd only just been released.
Elara watched Dylan from a distance as he headed for the stage. He'd always had such a youthful look, but now his hair was visibly gray and he seemed way older, his face tired. Still, he managed that same gentle smile Alex always had.
Elara's heart twisted in pain. 'How could he look like he has aged decades in just over a month? What on earth has he endured in there?' she wondered.
As Dylan approached Elara, he stumbled slightly. Instinctively, Elara reached out to steady him. The moment her hand touched his, he secretly pressed something into her palm and gave her wrist a meaningful squeeze. Meeting Dylan's gaze, Elara instantly understood the unspoken message.
"Thank you, Elara," Dylan said.
"No worries, Dylan," Elara replied.
Dylan stepped onto the stage and took the microphone. "Thank you all for honoring us with your presence today at my son Alex and Nancy's engagement party..."
Elara tossed what Dylan handed her into her pocket and shot a look at Alex.
He kept a straight face, but she could tell—nobody was happier than him that his dad got out safe. Alex had grown up with just Dylan around. Dylan really meant everything to him.
After the speeches concluded, the party officially began. Alex led Nancy down from the stage, and together they began mingling with the guests. Joseph, with his wife Monica on his arm, beamed with joy as they graciously accepted everyone's congratulations.
Finally seizing her chance, Elara rushed up to Nancy. "Where are Ruby and Julian?" she demanded.
With her makeup flawless and looking super pleased with herself, Nancy just rolled her eyes and said, "Elara, what are you on about? Ruby? Seriously, no clue what you're talking about."
Elara saw right through Nancy's little game—Nancy was fooling her. With a sharp turn, she strode off without another word.
Nancy's composure shattered. She snapped, "Don't you dare walk away."
However, Elara ignored Nancy's words and strode straight for the exit, only to be stopped by two security guards.
"Get out of my way. What right do you have to stop me?" Elara snapped at the security guards.
Nancy marched over in her heels. "Because you still can't get over my fiancé, and you're scheming against the Hartley family." All the people turned over at her voice.
Elara whirled around. "Nancy, what fresh nonsense are you spouting now? It was you who held my friends hostage and forced me into coming to your engagement party."
Nancy snorted, "Oh, really? Isn't it about my fiancé? You're here to crash our engagement and steal him, aren't you?"
Elara couldn't believe how shameless Nancy was. "Nancy, just because you have power and money doesn't mean you're always right," she retorted.
"Oh, still denying it?" Nancy sneered.
Nancy snatched Alex's phone from his pocket. "You called my fiancé, didn't you?" she sneered. "I recorded everything. Let's show everyone just how shameless you really are, Elara."
With that, Nancy hit play, and the recording echoed through the hall.
Elara's voice sounded from the recording. "Alex, you jerk! How could you get engaged? I'm working at Adrian's law firm to help with Dylan's case. Couldn't you wait? You just saw a chance to marry the richest girl!
"You were always so proud. Now you're showing your true colors. You just want to marry into money. Do you think you can match Adrian? He's the real heir of the Hartley family. You've been stringing me along all these years.
"Just wait. One day, I'll win Adrian over, and then you and Nancy will regret it. I'll come home for every holiday, sit at the same table with you, and make you uncomfortable."