Finally, the most awaited moment arrived! While the rest of the audience was surprised by the sudden take to the podium by the founder, Table 2 was shaking with excitement with faint squeals from Sharon and Linda. Sello gushed at the sight, she was finally witnessing it - her niece finding love. Although it was not the kind she would have chosen for her if she had the power, but she could see the happiness in both the young adults, what more could she have asked for, 'she really is blossoming...', she thought as Linda fondled with Jeremy's tie.
Knowing what was coming next, Linda's dazzling smile somehow left Joseph with a bittersweet taste, he was happy, but he knew it was short-lived, "You are really happy, aren't you?", he asked with an unexplained sadness in his voice,
Linda beamed, "I promise I am Grandpa, I am really happy. You don't have to worry about my love life anymore. In fact, I must thank you and grandmother for pushing me to marry, because of that, I found this man..", she looked at Jeremy with eyes glowing, "...and I really, really care about him"
An emotional Joseph took her hand into his, "...and I am really happy. At least you will have someone to care for you - that brings me peace of mind. You won't be alone."
Linda raised her eyebrows in confusion, she couldn't understand why her grandfather was suddenly talking as if she would never see him again.
'Could it be connected to the sudden request?', she anxiously tossed her eyes to Lilly who was now preparing to talk, then back to him, and whispered, "Is something wrong with Grams?? Is that why you wanted her to announce my engagement? Are you guys go-"
Lilly cleared her throat causing the room to fall into complete silence, all eyes on her. She cleared her throat one more time, then softly spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen. I can see the confusion in your eyes. An old lady like me suddenly took the stage. Let me assure you, it was unplanned." the audience laughed in delight.
With sad eyes, Joseph melancholy said, "She always did have a great sense of humor....", alarming Linda even more, 'What is going on?', she looked at Freddy with an anxious face and he instantly averted his eyes startling her.
"Something is not okay...", she murmured silently, and her sudden change in mood captured Jeremy's attention...
He leaned closer to whisper, "Are you okay? Do you feel sick?"
She looked back at him with a darkened expression, "I am not sure, but I think something is wrong with my grandparents. I am sorry but I will have to spend the night at the main mansion, are y-"
Jeremy squeezed her hand, and smiled, "No...no, please, do what you have to do. I am not happy but I can see that something is really bothering you and Freddy is not the chirper fellow I know him to be tonight....so do what you need to. Your family needs you."
She gave him a nod accompanied by one last smile before they both turned their attention back to Lilly, Linda watched with a heavy heart, 'Could it be about her health?', she wondered.
Lilly looked at the two lovingly, "Please, allow me to announce the engagement of someone very dear to me, my granddaughter, Linda King and Jeremy Tang!"
Everyone gasped at the mention of Linda's name. All eyes wandered the room in confusion. The room fell into complete murmuring.
"How could this be??"
"Linda is getting married!?!', to a Tang??!"
"Is this a marriage of convenience?!", some wondered while others concluded that it was a business move, "But how can it be beneficial to the Kings, the Tangs are technically the black sheep of the industry." one person whispered,
"Maybe they are being blackmailed into this union...", one person replied forgetting that Tony was at the same table until they met his cold stare instantly making them flinch in fear,
"Ha ha, I mean...I mean.."
"Save it!", Tony declared coldly, 'Tonight is just one embarrassment after the other', he sipped his drink in annoyance thinking about Maggie, 'If only she had stopped this shitshow before it went this far. I guess I have to do everything myself going forward.'
John was floating in the clouds with joy. His plan was coming together very well. The announcement meant he was close to his goal, how could he not be in a celebratory mood, 'Yes, get married soon my beautiful niece...get married - soon everything will fall back into its rightful place...'.