The room fell into a stunned silence. No one had expected such audacity, and shock was etched on every face.

Declan stared in disbelief at the tiara on the floor, then back at me, a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes. This wasn't in his script. The plot was supposed to be that no matter how much he humiliated me, I would cry and beg him not to abandon me.

Seeing this, Blake hurried to his side. "Mr. Davenport, since she's so ungrateful, there's no need to indulge her. A woman from an ordinary family like her was never worthy of you in the first place. If you back down now, it will only damage your credibility with the board."

Declan agreed with him, regained his composure, and straightened his tie.

However, he frowned again and asked Blake in a low voice, "But… the entire business world knows I'm announcing my fiancée tonight. The media is waiting outside. If I cancel the engagement now, what will happen to my reputation as the new CEO?"

A cunning smile appeared on Blake's face. "Mr. Davenport, have you forgotten? Miss Bianca Langley, the daughter of the Langley Group's CEO who visited us a few days ago. She is gentle and noble. With all due respect, only a socialite like her is worthy of being your fiancée."

"The Langley Group is one of the largest logistics giants in this area. If Bianca becomes your wife and our two families join forces, our company's logistics costs will be greatly reduced."

Declan seemed to waver, then suddenly asked, "Does she look like the girl I met in Aspen?"

I was stunned, finding the question almost absurd. Was he still fixated on that memory from Aspen? Unfortunately for him, I was only that lively and cheerful as a child. As I grew up, my personality became more composed, and I eventually became a shrewd operator in the business world, just like my father, rarely letting my emotions show.

Blake, ever the sycophant, immediately seized on Declan's vulnerability. "Of course, just like your first love."

"And, she specifically canceled an important event to come to your party just to see you. She's waiting in the side hall right now. With just one word from you, you can immediately replace the leading lady. Even as a temporary solution, it's better than this argumentative designer."

Noticing the excitement on Blake's face, the pieces clicked into place.

Just as I suspected, this was all a setup.

Declan was domineering, yes, but was he this meticulously cruel? I doubted it. Moreover, when Blake read the clause about another woman's child, I had noticed Declan's own eyebrow twitch; clearly, there were some clauses he hadn't even read closely.

Of course. Blake was working for Bianca. The nearly bankrupt Langley Group desperately needed a lifeline from the Davenports.

A strange calm settled over me, and I spoke with the detached air of a spectator, "Declan, regardless, the news of our engagement has already been announced. Even if you want to cancel, you can't just replace your fiancée on the spot. Don't you think that would be too reckless for the Davenport reputation?"

I paused, my gaze as sharp as a blade as it pierced Blake. "Besides, who exactly came up with these clauses? Could it be that your executive assistant was so against me marrying you that he fabricated these terms just to make things difficult for me?"

Instantly, both Declan's and Blake's expressions stiffened, and they exchanged a flustered glance.

Declan suppressed his guilt and replied, "A commoner like you has no right to question me, let alone doubt my executive assistant. If you spout any more nonsense, I'll have you thrown out of this party."

Their reaction confirmed my suspicions.

I sighed heavily. Declan's father, Graham Davenport, was a man of courage and vision, having led the Davenport Group out of financial trouble and back to glory. I had no idea why Declan hadn't inherited even a fraction of his father's wisdom.

For Graham's sake, I decided to try and persuade Declan one last time.

"Declan, use your brain. Do you really think everything Blake is doing is for your own good? Have you checked the Langley Group's true financial situation? Have you considered the consequences you'll face for breaking a pact made by our fathers and suddenly changing your choice of fiancée at this critical moment?"

Before I could finish, Declan roared in fury, "Enough! Rosalind Sterling, I told you, you have no right to doubt Blake! Who do you think you are? Do you think you can order me around just because you've charmed my father? I'm telling you, even if you got on your knees and begged me right now, I would never get engaged to you."

Blake quickly added, "That's right! How dare an outsider like you speak to our CEO like that! Security, get her out of the hotel."

I shot him an indifferent glance. "You're overacting, Blake. Are you so eager to get rid of me because the real mastermind is getting impatient to make her entrance?"

The moment I spoke, a beautiful, fashionably dressed woman walked into the lounge.