Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption novel Chapter 244

Chapter 244: A toast...

Jessica walked quietly back into the grand hall. The music had softened, and the lights glowed gently over the large crowd of guests.

Several business investors and executives mingled with each other. Discussing business deals and setting up new partnerships.

In the background, soft music floated as the MC was discussing with the manager the next show to come up.

But for Jessica, all these faded into insignificance as her sharp gaze moved across the room, observing the faces in the crowd—flattery smiles, waiting ears and plotting minds. She sighed.

Once she reached her table, she sank into her seat with poise, her expression hidden but her fingers clasped over another in contemplation of the next course of action to take.

After her confrontation with Tricia in the garden, she knew things might take a different turn at any point and with the first rumour not clarified it might be more troublesome to clarify later when another storm hits.

Tricia’s offer, her anger, and her insult were still fresh in Jessica’s mind. She knew Tricia wouldn’t take rejection lightly, especially not after being exposed in her own game. But Jessica was no longer playing defensively, she had a sense of resolution within her.

She picked up her champagne glass but didn’t drink. Instead, she scanned the faces seated at various tables.

A few notable investors, press members, and foreign dignitaries remained focused on the ongoing program, others exchanged low whispers with their associates, quietly evaluating the situation.

But Jessica noticed something else: some of the new investors had begun to step in, holding the attention of key guests, making conversation, and keeping the launch alive and steady.

That was good.

With the most pressing elements under temporary control, Jessica paused the final investment option she had in mind. Timing, after all, was everything.

She tapped her phone and made a discreet call to one of her subordinates. "Is it ready?"

"Yes, ma’am. Everything is queued. We’re waiting for your signal."

She ended the call and drafted a brief message to Ethan: "Anchor the next program, And everything about the launch should be done tonight. We should finish off before the Watts."

She had thought it over completing the launch tonight will set the business in motion tomorrow while she waits for Tricia’s actions.

Ethan, seated among the investors and executives, caught the buzz of his phone, quietly went through the message then he looked across the hall and caught Jessica’s eyes.

A brief nod passed between them. Within minutes, he stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand. The crowd turned their attention to him.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said with a smile. "Thank you for being with us tonight. As part of the gala, we would like to take you on a short journey. A story. The true story of J&D Globals — where we began, how far we’ve come, and what we stand for."

The lights dimmed. A hush fell over the ballroom. The projector screen lowered slowly as the instrumental music transitioned into something more cinematic.

Guests paused their discussions and actions to lean forward and watch the scene that began rolling out as the screen flickered to life.

It began with a haunting silence.

The first scene showed the old building — broken gates, rusty signs, weeds growing around. The company was in ruins. The audience went silent. Some gasped.

Next, the manager walking through the empty hallways, checking rooms with broken furniture and smashed equipment and another voice heard but the image never shown.

The film showed the hard work of bringing the company back to life — new paint, fresh signs, engineers fixing computers, builders restoring walls, and designers setting up their desks.

Then, a scene appeared with Jessica, her face concealed but her back familiar to the guest. She wore a simple outfit, hard at work with the design team.

Across the hall, reporters scrambled to document what they had just witnessed. Photographers began snapping pictures again, this time with renewed energy. A few investors who had previously stepped back could be seen quietly discussing returns. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

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