CHAPTER 6: CHAPTER 6: HE HAD A DREAM

[Failed Engagement! Hawthorne Sheffield Engagement Cancelled]

[Shocking Turn of Events! Hawthorne and Sheffield Turn Against Each Other on the Eve of Engagement]

...

A series of trending topics, each with a bright red "explosive" symbol following them.

As if you already guessed the content.

Serena Sinclair unlocked her phone and clicked in.

The front-page image of the news showed a stunning yet empty banquet hall.

The Aethelgard Grand Hotel booked long ago, its ground and three-level underground parking lot seemingly transformed into an international luxury car exhibition—filled to capacity.

Yet all guests were stopped in the lobby on the first floor.

The scene was chaotic and disorganized.

Today was Wyatt Hawthorne and Miss Sheffield from Portmira’s engagement ceremony.

One was the Crown Prince of the Capital Elite.

One was the granddaughter of The Gambling King.

Since the bombshell six months ago that the Hawthorne Family was set to marry the Sheffield Family, this century engagement banquet was of unprecedented interest.

Reports from the engagement banquet appeared in trending searches every so often.

Ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine champagne roses flown in from Paris.

The engagement dress crafted by a top Milanese designer.

And the proposal ring embedded with a 19.99-carat diamond known as the "pigeon egg."

Everything was ready.

Only waiting for today.

Unexpectedly, without warning, the engagement banquet was canceled just like that.

The media seemed equally caught off guard.

The live footage was taken from different bizarre angles, yet all conveyed the same shock and incredulity.

The atmosphere in the presidential suite atop the Aethelgard Grand Hotel was heavy.

The bedroom door was closed, masking any sounds from within.

Only in the living room did the old, middle-aged, and young men confront each other stiffly.

Wyatt Hawthorne, seated in a single sofa, was the youngest, lazily lounging without decorum.

Yet at a glance, he was the first you noticed, for the aura he exuded was undeniable.

On the main couch, Old Mr. Hawthorne, clad in a brown traditional outfit, glowered at Wyatt in anger, "How can marriage be treated as child’s play? You agreed to this marriage initially; if you’re unwilling, you should have mentioned it earlier when there was still room for negotiation. At this point, how can you face the Sheffield Family, let alone Miss Sheffield?"

Wyatt rubbed his bruised lip.

This was the result of Vivian Sheffield’s elder brother, Simon Sheffield, punching him angrily after he proposed breaking off the engagement.

This was indeed an ill-mannered act from him.

He acknowledged it.

"Grandfather, I’ve already apologized to Mr. Sheffield... I was wrong on this matter. I intend to offer two percent of the Hawthorne Corporation shares under my name as compensation to Miss Sheffield as an apology for backing out of the engagement."

"Additionally, the media can place all the blame on me, saying... it was my unruly temperament that led me to back off, that I am unworthy of Miss Sheffield."

"Mr. Sheffield has already agreed, Grandfather, please calm down!"

With that said, both Old Mr. Hawthorne and Simon Sheffield looked at Wyatt in surprise.

Old Mr. Hawthorne was bewildered.

Everything seemed fine just yesterday.

He told Wyatt that once engaged, he should get along well with Miss Sheffield, and once feelings developed, they could proceed with marriage plans.

By then, Wyatt would be entrusted with the Hawthorne Group and those family assets under his hand.

Wyatt had agreed.

Yet overnight, without any sign, he broke off the engagement without even informing him?

The crucial point is the Sheffield Family even agreed???

Simon Sheffield was even more shocked, almost jumping out of his seat.

If his father, Stanley Sheffield, weren’t just a few steps away in the adjacent bedroom, he almost would have suspected Wyatt of lying.

How could his father possibly agree?

In Portmira, people said they’d rather provoke The Reaper King than Second Master Sheffield.

In business and poker circles, Stanley Sheffield had countless means of ruining anyone who offended the Sheffield Family, leaving them with nothing.

On the day of the engagement, being dumped was disgraceful, and Wyatt easily convinced him?

And Stanley even agreed, just let Wyatt go like that?

How... how was this possible?

Sweeping his gaze over Wyatt’s handsome yet arrogant face, Simon Sheffield felt more agitated, almost regretting not punching him again.

But glancing at the bruise on Wyatt’s lip, Simon dared not move again.

In terms of family background, the Hawthorne Family and Sheffield Family were on par.

Yet with several outstanding descendants in Wyatt’s generation, their momentum was fierce.

Whilst the Sheffield Family, with Old Mr. Sheffield on his last legs and constant in-fighting due to numerous children, was in a tough spot.

Not looking at the next few decades but merely at the upcoming three to five years, the Hawthorne Family could easily surpass the Sheffield Family.

Being able to punch Wyatt was already Wyatt giving face to Vivian and the Sheffield Family.

"I’ve long heard the Crown Prince of the Capital Elite acts recklessly and arrogantly; today I’ve witnessed it... Wyatt, you’d better not mess with me anymore!"

Leaving a harsh statement, Simon Sheffield’s face turned pale as he stood up and went to the bedroom.

The room was silent.

In front of the dressing table, Vivian Sheffield, in a top-tier luxury cream-colored dress, had reddened eyes yet stubbornly refused to shed tears.

Clutching a compact in her palm, her well-maintained nails had already broken two.

Beside Vivian, Mrs. Sheffield gently patted her daughter’s back, cursing in hate, "His Hawthorne Family is powerful in Aethelgard, but where do we Sheffield Family fall short? Wyatt is clearly trying to humiliate our Sheffield Family, I..."

"Enough!"

Rising from the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Stanley Sheffield frowned as he walked to the window for a look.

Four or five hours had passed, and the media still crowded the first floor, seeking firsthand information.

Glancing at the darkening sky, Stanley said deeply, "Wyatt says he’s arranged a helicopter to take us back to Portmira. From now on, no one shall mention this affair again!"

"Old Sheffield!"

"Dad!"

"Dad!"

Three voices spoke simultaneously, and Stanley looked at his wife and son, eyes full of shock, before his gaze fell on Vivian Sheffield’s face, "Vivian, with those two percent of Hawthorne Corporation shares, you’ll easily rise above your siblings in the Sheffield Family, much better than marrying Wyatt, don’t you think?"

The Sheffield Family in Portmira is a century-old family, with deep-rooted foundations.

But even now, Old Mr. Sheffield hasn’t announced an heir.

Old Mr. Sheffield had four wives, each with numerous children, even Stanley didn’t know how much he’d inherit after his father passes, let alone his children.

This marriage with the Hawthorne Family, in calculation, was Stanley Sheffield reaching for greater heights.

Although, in the end, he didn’t reach it, the two percent Hawthorne shares Wyatt offered were Stanley’s biggest support.

"Vivian, I’ve fought with your uncle for most of my life. Among the children of this generation, our grandfather favors your eldest brother and elder brother most. With Wyatt as the best ally, the future of Sheffield Family rests in whose hands may not be certain, do you understand?"

Vivian’s expression improved some.

If she thrives, the second household of Sheffield Family thrives; the likelihood Grandpa passes Sheffield Family to father and brothers increases significantly.

Rather be Miss Sheffield than future Miss Sheffield of the whole family—the answer was obvious.

"Dad, I understand!"

Vivian nodded, then looked at the dressing mirror, with a flash of stubbornness in her eyes, "I just want to know why he chose to break the engagement today rather than sooner..."

In Portmira, everyone knew she was to be the future mistress of Hawthorne Family.

Even if Wyatt took the blame, the humiliation remained.

Considering her looks and abilities, Vivian couldn’t understand why Wyatt had to insult her this way.

"He said, he had a dream last night..."

Stanley had a fleeting moment of embarrassment on his face.