Chapter 11 The Invitation

• Boom!
• The entire city of Oxbourne was abuzz.
• The news was about the Middleton Group, a colossal conglomerate with a market value in the hundreds of billions.
• Its reach extended across numerous industries, boasting a vast network of business partners and connections.
• It was no exaggeration to say that merely attending their heiress's wedding and networking with a single affluent individual or securing a project could sustain a small company for years.
• Consequently, Oxbourne was gripped by a frenzy.
• Countless people were eager to pay exorbitant prices for a wedding invitation, yet even with such offers, the invitations remained elusive.
• At the Prestons' residence ...
• Disregarding the doctor's advice, Charlie had discharged himself early from the hospital.
• He was currently yelling into his phone.
• "What's going on?" he shrieked.
• "Mona got married to someone else without even waiting for me to pursue her?
• "That was my golden ticket, my chance to change my life!
• "Who is this man who stole my opportunity?"
• "You? Pursue her?" Clarissa scoffed.
• "Stop living in a fantasy."
• Charlie was clearly unconvinced.
• He retorted, "What's wrong with me? I'm at least a thousand times better than that ungrateful Tyler!"
• The mention of Tyler brought a complex expression to Clarissa's face.
• After all, only a select few knew about Mona's promise to marry in exchange for saving Regina.
• It was information confined to the elite circles.
• Moreover, the Middleton family had deliberately kept Tyler's role in saving Regina a closely guarded secret.
• A low-tier family like theirs was oblivious to all of this.
• But Willa didn't bother about the groom's identity.
• She was solely focused on the potential benefits this wedding could bring to the Prestons.
• "The Middleton family is inviting the entire city to witness Ms. Middleton's wedding.
• "It will be teeming with influential people and opportunities."
• Her eyes gleamed with ambition. "If we could just get our hands on an invitation and sneak in, the Prestons could finally rise to prominence."
• Clarissa frowned at her naivete.
• "The Middletons might claim they're inviting the whole city, but with the limited space at the Regal Grand Manor Hotel, even third-tier families might struggle to get in," Clarissa said, her voice laced with skepticism.
• "With our Preston family's insignificant standing, getting an invitation would be like reaching for the stars."
• This dose of reality instantly silenced Willa and Charlie.
• But just then, an arrogant voice boomed from outside.
• "Who said it's hard to get an invitation to the Middleton family wedding?
• "As long as I'm involved, I guarantee all of you will get in."
• "Mr. Barton!
• "Can you get us the invitation to the Middletons' wedding?"
• Willa asked, rushing toward Elbert with an eagerness that bordered on desperation.
• However, Elbert had no interest in her. His gaze was fixed on Clarissa.
• "Of course! When have I ever lied to you?
• "As long as I make the move, the Middleton family invitations will be in our hands in no time."
• His confident boast made Willa and Charlie beam with joy.
• "Mr. Barton is as reliable as ever!
• "Clarissa, see how right I was when I told you to divorce Tyler?"
• Willa fawned, seizing the opportunity to trample on Tyler.
• Charlie's eyes lit up.
• "Mom, why even bring up that loser?
• "As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Barton is the only reliable man.
• "If Clarissa marries Mr. Barton, I'd feel a hundred times more at ease."
• Their behavior made it clear they were practically shoving Clarissa into Elbert's arms.
• Basking in the praise, Elbert laughed heartily. "With words like that, I'll definitely do everything I can to help you."
• He openly admired Clarissa's face, his eyes lingering on her cleavage.
• "Don't worry, Clarissa. I'll make sure you get into that wedding, dressed even more beautifully than the bride herself."
• "Thank you, Mr. Barton,"
• Clarissa responded awkwardly, feeling a wave of discomfort.
• Mona was like a goddess. How could I possibly compete with that?
• Suddenly, Charlie blurted out,
• "It's a shame that jerk Tyler doesn't qualify to attend the event, or I'd make sure he humiliates himself in front of all the city's elites.
• "That bastard beat me so badly, I won't rest until I've gotten my revenge!"
• Only then did Elbert notice that Charlie was wrapped in bandages and wearing a hospital gown.
• "What's going on here? Who did this to my brother-in-law?"
• His question was music to Charlie's ears.
• "Who else? That damn Tyler!
• "After divorcing Clarissa, he wouldn't let it go. He came back to our house to steal something, and I caught him in the act.
• "My mom can testify. It was purely an accident that the ruby bracelet got broken.
• "But that thug beat me senseless, and I almost lost my life!"
• Clarissa's face paled instantly.
• "What did you just say?
• "Did you break Tyler's ruby bracelet?"
• She finally understood why Tyler had reacted so violently.
• When they were married, Tyler had told her that the ruby bracelet was the only keepsake left by his mother.
• Now that it was broken, the fact he hadn't killed Charlie was already merciful.
• Willa snorted, defending Charlie.
• "So what? It's just a bracelet. Does that justify nearly killing my son?"