Jessica Rocelyn faced suspicious and mocking gazes from all directions, her face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks.
She opened her mouth to explain in a small voice, "It's not like that, Eclipse, I'm sorry..."
Unfortunately, no matter how pitiful she looked, the rumors and gossip from before no longer swayed anyone present.
One coincidence could be explained, but so many put together were undoubtedly malicious.
Upon closer inspection, everything Eclipse Rocelyn had said was completely true and well-known.
Jessica and Robert Jade—one constantly crying and apologizing, the other acting high and mighty—were used to treating Eclipse like this.
It was easy to imagine how Robert treated Eclipse daily.
Jessica's so-called explanation now seemed even more laughable and weak.
If the facts were really as Eclipse said, then this so-called pure and talented Jessica Rocelyn's methods were truly disgusting.
Feeling the disdainful gazes on her, Jessica dug her sharp nails into her palms, her heart heavy.
She knew that Eclipse had come prepared, and with Henry backing her up, she was destined to swallow this loss today.
Mrs. Jade was already displeased with her, and if she continued making a scene, even the other members of the Jade family would think she was breaking the rules.
Thinking of this, Jessica sniffled, wiped away her tears, and took a soft step forward, looking at Eclipse tenderly and sincerely. "Eclipse, I'm sorry for what my mother and I did. You and Robert are engaged, after all. There's no need for us to fight. If blaming me makes you feel better, I'll accept any accusations from you."
"Today is Senior Mr. Jade's birthday banquet. If we had known it would turn out like this, my mother and I wouldn't have shown up."
She looked at Eclipse with red-rimmed eyes, her gaze full of fragility and humility, choking up as she said, "Eclipse, I really didn't expect you had been holding such feelings toward me all these years. I'm sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me."
After Jessica finished speaking, a hint of restrained pain appeared on her face.
Seeing Eclipse remain silent, she added with a bitter smile, "Eclipse, I wish you and Robert a lifetime of happiness. If you still can't forgive me, I promise I will never approach him again or have any relationship with him. Please don't be angry, okay?"
Robert couldn't help but feel angry hearing this, but when he looked at Eclipse's calm smile, he felt an inexplicable coldness and distance.
His angry words were swallowed back down.
Eclipse's dark eyes looked at Jessica with interest, her face showing a warm smile.
This Jessica Rocelyn was quite clever, able to bend and twist as needed.
No wonder she could still manipulate Robert while under Mrs. Jade's protection.
Eclipse smiled at Jessica, her eyes sharp. "Is an apology just something you say, Jessica? If you want me not to be angry, you need to show sincerity."
Jessica's face stiffened.
She stared at Eclipse, unable to believe she would say something like that.
Didn't Eclipse care about her own reputation?
Eclipse looked at her with a smile, her slender fingers brushing her eyebrow. "What, don't want to?"
Jessica's heart twisted in pain at Eclipse's words. But with so many people watching, she had no choice but to go along.
"Of course not," Jessica quickly hid her coldness and put on a kind expression. "Eclipse, what kind of compensation do you want? I'll do my best to satisfy you."
Eclipse tilted her head, her lips painted in bright red, and laughed lightly. "I want you, Jessica, to swear publicly with everything you have that you will never interfere with my mother's share in the Rocelyn family. Is that too much to ask?"
Jessica gasped, her expression frozen.
Before she could speak, Mrs.. Rocelyn had already shouted, "That's impossible! Eclipse, you can't ask for more! Everything in the Rocelyn family belongs to Jessica—"
"Mother!" Jessica quickly grabbed Mrs. Rocelyn's wrist, her nails digging into her arm to stop her from losing control.
Hearing Mrs. Rocelyn's outburst, many guests began whispering.
"Mrs. Rocelyn's words are absurd. Eclipse is only asking for her mother's share, which rightfully belongs to her. No matter what, it can't be Jessica's, right?"
"I see now. This mother and daughter not only caused the death of Eclipse's mother, but they also want to take what her mother left for her. Shameless!"
"Jessica is talented, but if she behaves like her mother, she's no different from him—utterly shameless!"
Jessica's vision turned black with anger.
She never expected Eclipse would make such a bold demand.
Only Jessica knew why her mother reacted like that.
The shares that Eclipse's mother left accounted for nearly half of the Rocelyn family's wealth.
If Eclipse inherited them, the whole Rocelyn family would be hers.
Mrs. Jade looked at Robert's face with dissatisfaction and snorted coldly.
If Robert hadn't broken Eclipse's heart, and with the shares from her mother, the entire Rocelyn family would have belonged to Eclipse.
And if you added Eclipse's connections with the her powerful mother's side... everything was ruined by Robert's foolishness.
Mrs. Jade was getting angrier as she thought about it, glaring fiercely at Robert.