Billionaire's Match (Billionaire's Match #3)

Chapter 201

The banquet officially commenced as George concluded his conversation.

Soft orchestral music drifted through the grand ballroom while elegantly dressed guests gradually found their seats. Crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in warm golden light, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and celebration.

Clarice entered arm in arm with Oscar.

The moment she spotted Khloe, her face lit up with a gracious smile.

"There you are," she said warmly, taking Khloe's hand as though greeting a beloved family member. "Come. Your seats are waiting."

She personally escorted the Hunt family to the main table.

It was only the second time Khloe had met Clarice.

Yet compared to their first encounter, the older woman's attitude had changed dramatically.

She treated Khloe with remarkable affection, calling her "our own" several times during their brief conversation, behaving as though she had already accepted Khloe wholeheartedly as part of the Morrison family.

To everyone else, the gesture appeared touching.

To Khloe...

It only made her skin crawl.

The warmer Clarice behaved, the more uneasy she became.

Something wasn't right.

It felt as though every smile, every word, every thoughtful gesture had been carefully rehearsed.

Like bait.

Like she was being gently led into a trap she couldn't yet see.

Khloe silently suppressed the chill creeping down her spine as she took her seat beside Nick.

Once the Morrison and Hunt families were seated, the remaining guests settled into their own places.

No one spoke.

Everyone seemed to be waiting.

Tonight's banquet had gathered nearly every influential figure in the city. Business magnates, political leaders, and social elites had all accepted the invitation.

No one believed this was merely a dinner.

The Morrison family clearly intended to announce something significant.

Many had already guessed what it would be.

The marriage alliance between the Morrison and Hunt families.

Just as expected, Clarice gracefully walked onto the stage and accepted the microphone from the host.

After offering several polite greetings, she smiled at the crowd.

"Thank you all for joining us this evening."

Her elegant voice carried effortlessly through the silent hall.

"Besides enjoying this wonderful gathering together, there's another reason we've invited everyone here."

She paused deliberately before turning her gaze toward Nick and Khloe.

"We're delighted to announce that Khloe Morrison and Nick Hunt are officially engaged."

Thunderous applause immediately filled the ballroom.

Congratulations echoed from every direction.

Countless pairs of eyes shifted toward the young couple.

Some were genuinely pleased.

Some looked envious.

Others silently calculated what this alliance would mean for the future balance of power among the city's elite families.

Not far from the main table, Michelle slowly lifted her head.

Although dozens of guests sat between them, preventing her from seeing Nick clearly, she instinctively looked in his direction.

She hadn't wanted to attend tonight.

The Keller family's elders had practically forced her to come, insisting appearances had to be maintained.

After all, the Keller family still had important business partnerships with both the Hunt and Morrison families.

The moment she heard the words "officially engaged," her chest tightened painfully.

Without saying a word, she reached for her wineglass.

Then another.

And another.

The bitter liquid slid down her throat, but it did nothing to numb the ache spreading through her heart.

Onstage, Clarice continued speaking with perfect composure.

"From this day forward, the Morrison and Hunt families will stand together."

She smiled elegantly at the audience.

"We hope all of our respected friends and business partners will continue to support and guide us in the years ahead."

Then she looked directly at Khloe.

"And now..."

"Our guest of honor."

"Khloe, would you please come up and say a few words?"

The invitation came so suddenly that Khloe's brows knitted together.

She hadn't prepared a speech.

Nor had anyone mentioned she would be expected to address the guests.

But with every eye already turning toward her, refusing would only invite unnecessary speculation.

She rose calmly from her seat.

Nick gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she walked toward the stage.

Taking a slow breath, Khloe accepted the microphone.

Just as she was about to speak—

A rough male voice suddenly shattered the silence.

"Khloe?"

The voice was loud enough to reach every corner of the ballroom.

The speaker, a middle-aged businessman seated several tables away, stared directly at her.

"Aren't you Trey King's wife?"

The question hit the room like a bolt of lightning.

The man continued before anyone could react.

"I distinctly remember seeing the two of you at a business banquet just last month."

He frowned, looking genuinely puzzled.

"The way you interacted made everyone jealous. You looked like such a loving couple."

His eyes narrowed.

"So how is it that you've suddenly become the Morrison family's daughter..."

"And now you're engaged to Mr. Nick Hunt?"

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Even the background music seemed to disappear.

The entire ballroom froze.

Every guest turned toward Khloe in disbelief.

A married woman?

Had she really already been someone else's wife?

The whispers began almost immediately.

"Could it be true?"

"I heard she was only recently acknowledged by the Morrison family..."

"Well... being young doesn't mean she couldn't have been married."

"But if she's already married..."

"How can she become Nick Hunt's fiancée?"

The murmurs spread like wildfire.

Everyone knew the Hunt family valued reputation above all else.

Their future daughter-in-law wasn't simply expected to be beautiful or capable.

She had to possess an impeccable background, flawless character, and an untarnished reputation.

If Khloe truly had another husband...

This engagement would become the greatest scandal the Hunt family had faced in years.

At the main table, every member of the Hunt family stiffened.

Arista instinctively pushed back her chair, ready to stand and defend Khloe.

Before she could rise, George calmly placed a firm hand on her arm.

She looked at him in surprise.

George's expression remained unreadable.

"Wait," he said quietly.

His gaze never left Khloe.

He wanted to hear her answer.

Everything he knew about her had come from Oscar, Arista, and Nick.

He had never personally questioned her past.

Arista, gentle by nature, would never secretly investigate her future daughter-in-law.

Now...

George intended to judge the truth with his own eyes.