Chapter 2 The Proposal

• At that moment, Oriel noticed Marc standing frozen as if under a spell.
• Her face quickly shifted from surprise to embarrassment and then to a look of discomfort.
• It was not just her birthday; it was also her engagement day.
• Ten minutes later, her father would announce her betrothal to the young master of the Wagner family, setting their wedding date for the following month.
• The Wagners, though not top-tier, held considerable status in Riverton, making this match a boon for the Cokes.
• Oriel had long admired the youngest son of the Wagners, and marrying him was a dream come true for her.
• Marc's unexpected arrival, however, complicated matters.
• "Marc, congratulations on your freedom. Today marks my engagement. Will you congratulate me?" Oriel asked, her voice tinged with a chill, hoping Marc would take the hint and depart swiftly.
• Marc felt a deep chill replace the warmth in his heart.
• What happened to the happiness they had promised each other?
• Had five years truly changed her that much?
• Furthermore, her choice of words—"your freedom"—betrayed her ignorance of his sacrifice and imprisonment.
• In other words, during those five years, Oriel had never visited him in prison, not even once.
• "You need to leave; you're not welcome here. Your presence as a convict brings disgrace to us," Oriel's mother, Gwen Johnson, said as she pushed Marc away, her face expressing clear contempt.
• Marc responded icily, "You know very well why I'm in prison, don't you?"
• "I do not!"
• Gwen retorted smugly.
• "You killed someone because you drove under the influence. Isn't prison where you belong?"
• Murmurs of shock and scorn rippled through the crowd.
• "What a disgrace!"
• "A blight on society!"
• "Disgusting!"
• Marc laughed bitterly, giving Gwen a sarcastic thumbs-up.
• "You really know how to burn bridges after crossing them."
• He turned to Oriel, his voice tight with emotion. "I spent five years getting ready, all to make you the happiest woman alive.
• "But I never thought you'd marry someone else in the meantime."
• Oriel scoffed in response.
• "Before you went to prison, you were nothing but a poor man. Now, you're just a convict. What joy could you possibly bring me?"
• Her harsh words took Marc aback.
• He had sacrificed so much for her brother, and now his actions were the very thing she scorned.
• Where had the compassionate girl he knew gone?
• Did she even realise that the so-called convict she scorned was the revered War God of Egerton?
• "Oriel, is this the backup you told me about?"
• Sam, Oriel's fiancé, asked mockingly.
• Oriel had once jokingly told Sam about Marc taking the fall for her brother.
• So that was why Sam immediately recognised who Marc was.
• Oriel simply laughed and confirmed, "Yes, that's him."
• "Oriel, this is too much!"
• Just then, a strikingly beautiful girl stepped forward from the crowd, her expression one of unmistakable anger.
• Her beauty was such that it transcended what any camera could capture; each moment with her was captivating.
• This was Iris Coke, the adopted daughter of the Cokes.
• After being welcomed into the Coke family, she formed a close bond with Oriel.
• They frequently shared deep conversations and secrets, becoming confidantes over time.
• Iris knew about the events from five years ago.
• Although she had never personally met Marc, she admired his selfless sacrifice for love.
• Witnessing how Oriel's family treated Marc today, Iris was deeply infuriated.
• "Oriel, after all he's done for you, is this really how you repay him?
• "Even if you no longer have feelings for him, there's no need for such harshness," Iris said sharply, her words hitting home.
• Oriel immediately flared up, pointing aggressively at Iris.
• "You're nothing but a charity case our family took in. Who are you to lecture me about heartlessness?
• "Don't think for a second that you can stand up to me just because I've shown you kindness. You're not even close to my level," Oriel snapped dismissively.
• Trying to ease the tension, Sam wrapped his arm around Oriel's waist and coaxed with a smile, "Let's not ruin today. It's a big day for us, so there is no need for this upset.
• "Here, I got you a gift."
• He then pulled a beautifully wrapped gift box from his pocket, offering it to Oriel with a charming grin, and gave Iris a meaningful look.
• Sam had long harboured feelings for Iris, but his father's disapproval of her status as an adopted daughter had steered him toward an engagement with Oriel instead.
• Assisting Oriel now served to place her in his debt, smoothing the way for future manoeuvres.
• When Oriel received the gift box, her mood instantly brightened.
• Upon opening it, she discovered a dazzling gemstone bracelet and could not help but exclaim, "Wow, what a stunning bracelet! Darling, I love you!"
• Sam grinned, basking in her admiration.
• Turning to Marc with a smug expression, he boasted, "This sapphire bracelet, a treasure from Mysara, cost over three hundred thousand. You see, winning a woman's heart requires wealth and status.
• "Those who dress poorly and have prison records should learn to accept their lot."
• With a self-satisfied laugh, Sam revelled in his superiority.
• Flaunting his wealth not only challenged his romantic rival but also displayed his capacity to lavish luxuries on Oriel.
• Being rich just allows for such capriciousness!
• In a symbolic gesture, Oriel removed her pearl bracelet and casually tossed it to Iris.
• "Iris, you can keep this bracelet. It was never meant for me. We're done here!"
• Iris took the bracelet, looking somewhat confused by the sudden gesture.
• Watching this unfold, Marc felt a jolt of clarity.
• He then walked quickly to Iris, his expression intense.
• "This bracelet, it's yours, isn't it?"
• Iris, puzzled, nodded.
• "Yes, it's mine. Why do you ask?"
• At that moment, Marc understood everything!
• "So, it was you all along ... Now it all makes sense!"
• With a heavy sigh, Marc realised the crushing truth.
• The true angel, the girl who had once helped him, was Iris, not Oriel.
• He should have known; how could that sweet angel be so cold-hearted and ruthless?
• For years, he had mistakenly given his heart to the wrong person.
• It was maddening that he had foolishly sacrificed so much, even accepting blame and imprisonment, all for nothing but disgrace in the end!
• Marc turned to Oriel with a look of bitter disappointment. "Oriel, I was completely mistaken about you.
• "I've endured so much for five years, all to come back and propose to you.
• "But now, I see that you do not deserve it."
• He then took a beautifully crafted sapphire necklace from his pocket, got down on one knee, and turned sincerely towards Iris.
• "Ms. Iris Coke, will you marry me?"