Wedding My Ex's Uncle (Kaia and Alden) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 A Small Group Gathering

Luna’s heart lurched, but she kept her composure. “Alden, how could I? I don’t know why Kaia would make that up, but I swear, I never went to see her.”

“Maybe her grandma’s illness got to her, and she needed someone to take it out on,” she added smoothly.

Alden’s brow furrowed. He trusted Luna, but he couldn’t believe Kaia would stoop to such a flimsy lie just to frame her. Unable to make sense of it, Alden decided to stop thinking altogether.

*****

While most of the Graves family was reeling from the day’s drama, one person was in an entirely different mood.

Landon had been up half the night performing surgery, barely catching a wink of sleep before Lucien summoned him to the Prosperity Hotel.

In Lucien’s private suite, a small group had gathered. Wiley Myers, heir to the powerful Myers family, toyed with a lighter, his tone casual but edged with boredom. “Mr. Graves, is this a guys-only thing today?”

A gathering of nothing but single guys left Wiley utterly bored. “Seriously, Lucien,” Landon’s voice piped up, “I know you steer clear of the socialite scene, but can you let me handle the guest list next time?”

Wiley snorted, “Right, because you’re such a ladies’ man.”

Landon scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Calvin Barnes, one of Lucien’s closest friends, raised an eyebrow. “Let’s be real. Aside from me, none of you have girlfriends.”

Landon and Wiley might always have women in their arms, but not a single one was long-term. And Lucien, who never brought women around, barely registered in their dating discussions.

“Lucien,” Calvin teased, eyeing him with a smirk. “Shouldn’t you be at your nephew’s engagement party? Why are you out celebrating instead?”

Landon perked up, leaning forward. “Engaged? Wasn’t today his wedding?”

Wiley shot Landon a look as if he were hopelessly out of touch. “Landon, are you living under a rock? Didn’t you see the trending news?”

“Forbidden love—the Graves family’s adopted daughter revealed

as their son’s true flame,” Wiley recited, smirking.

“And this one. Jilted fiancée ousted, wedding crashed with a last-minute swap,” he added.

Calvin was surprised. “Honestly, headlines are wild these days. But Kaia’s probably gonna have a rough time from now on.”

Calvin, still basking in the gossip, froze when he caught Lucien’s icy glare from the sofa. He blinked. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Lucien’s voice was cold, his lips barely moving. “Calvin, did that little fling with your pop star girlfriend fry your brain? Who said Kaia was the one dumped? It was the Domont family who called off the engagement today.”

With that, Lucien kicked over a nearby trash can and stood. “I’m out. Not in the mood to hang with idiots.”

Calvin’s jaw dropped. “What the hell, man?” He had no idea what had set Lucien off.

Landon rubbed his nose, a curious glint in his eye. It looked like someone struck a nerve Lucien didn’t want to be touched. Calvin was baffled by Lucien’s sudden outburst. He nudged Landon, who was closest to Lucien in their circle. “Hey, what’s got him so ticked off?”

Landon leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Wanna know? Beg me, and I might spill.”

Calvin scoffed, “No way. Keep your secrets!” Deep down, he had a wild guess, but he quickly dismissed it. Lucien isn’t that kind of guy, is he?

As soon as Lucien stepped out of the Prosperity Hotel, he dialed his assistant, Frank Gallagher. “What’s with the news online? Why are they twisting the truth?” he demanded, his voice sharp.

Frank hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Mr. Graves, are you referring to the stories about Mr. Alden Graves and Ms.

Thorne?”

Lucien’s frown deepened, his patience thinning. “I’m talking about why the news is painting it like Kaia was dumped when she’s the one who called off the engagement!”

Frank’s heart skipped a beat, but he was quick on his feet. “Understood, Mr. Graves. I’ll contact the media right away and have them correct it.”

Lucien hummed in approval and hung up. Ten minutes later, the misleading headlines were replaced.

[The Domont Heiress Ditches Fiancé, Exposing Alden’s

Forbidden Romance with His Foster Sister!]