Moments later, just as Rose lifted the knife to cut her birthday cake—
Naomi stepped forward, microphone in hand.
With a triumphant smile, she announced to the entire hall:
"The Liu family is pleased to announce the engagement of Rose and Demetrius."
The room exploded into shock.Naomi knew she had only this way to eliminate Rose. Once the engagement was announced publicly, Martin would be powerless to stop it and obviously Rose loved Dametrius so she won't call it off
Naomi had already anticipated how much Rose loved Dametrius.
Rose herself was stunned when the engagement was announced. Yet, beneath the shock, a quiet happiness bloomed. If she had to be engaged, at least it was to the man she had loved for years, her childhood friend Dametrius Sailor—the man who owned a small bakery, whose hands smelled of flour and sugar, whose life was as ordinary as hers had always been. He had no status to protect, no mansion to hide in, no expectations carved into him by blood.
He was safe. So she thought…
"Girl, you didn't tell me you were getting engaged," Calista whispered, her eyes wide.
"I didn't know either," Rose replied honestly.
Calista hesitated. "Do you think Demetrius loves you?"
Rose lowered her gaze. "I… I honestly don't know."
"But you love him, right?"
"Yes," Rose said softly. "I do."
Before Calista could say anything more, Sally approached, a slow smile curling on her lips.
"Happy birthday," Sally said sweetly. "I hope you had liked my little birthday surprise."
Rose frowned slightly. "Suprise?"
"Oh, it's still coming," Sally replied, her eyes glinting. "Just wait."
Sally had never given Rose a birthday surprise in her life. Rose knew whatever it was, it wouldn't be kind. Still, she remained calm, refusing to rise to Sally's provocation.
Then it happened.
A sharp cracking sound echoed above them.
Before anyone could react, the massive chandelier hanging over the hall came crashing down.
In a split second, Demetrius lunged forward but not toward Rose.
He grabbed Sally and pulled her out of harm's way.
Glass shattered. Screams filled the air.
Rose stood frozen as fragments rained down on her. Shards pierced her skin. Blood spilled freely, soaking the floor beneath her.
Demetrius didn't even look back.
His arms were wrapped around Sally, his voice frantic. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"
Sally didn't have a single scratch.
Calista screamed and rushed to Rose's side. "Call an ambulance! Someone call an ambulance!"
"Stay with me, Rose," Calista sobbed, gripping her hand.
By the time the paramedics arrived, Rose was unconscious.
Demetrius never noticed when she was wheeled away on a stretcher.
He took Sally to the hospital instead, claiming she was in shock.
Rose was rushed straight into the ICU alone, bleeding, fighting for her life.
Calista stood outside the operating room, her hands shaking, her clothes stained with Rose's blood.
Mr. Martin had been upstairs finalizing a business deal when chaos broke out. The moment he heard what had happened, he abandoned everything and raced to the hospital.
Six long hours passed.
Finally, the operating room doors opened.
The doctor stepped out, his expression grave.
"We managed to stabilize her," he said. "But she's fallen into a coma. Likely due to severe trauma and shock."
Calista's breath hitched.
"When will she wake up?" Mr. Martin asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor shook his head. "We can't say. It could be days… months… or longer."
The hallway fell silent.
Rose Liu lay motionless in the ICU, surrounded by machine beeping to which her life counted on.
At the Hale Corporation, Rhaegon sat behind his massive desk, eyes fixed on the documents spread before him.
A knock sounded.
Before he could answer, the door opened.
Camilla Shaw walked in.
She perched casually on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs with practiced confidence. Camilla had grown up with Rhaegon. Their families were allies, old friends, and once upon a time, there had been talks of betrothal but Grandpa Philip had never taken a liking to her. The media already regarded her as Rhaegon Hale's girlfriend.
"Did you forget about our date tonight?" she asked, her voice soft and teasing.
"I'm busy, Camilla," Rhaegon replied without looking up.
She smiled faintly. "When are you going to tell Grandpa about us?"
Rhaegon finally looked at her.
He had no romantic interest in Camilla. But he kept her close for one reason;she had saved his life during the car crash that killed his parents. That debt weighed heavily on him.
"No more work," Camilla said firmly. "You need to make time for me."
She stood, moved behind his chair, and leaned down, pressing a kiss against his neck.
Rhaegon's hand shot out. He pulled her forward, settling her briefly onto his lap, his voice low and warning.
"Don't start what you can't finish."
Camilla laughed softly. "Then let's go to a hotel."
"I can't," Rhaegon said. "I have a family dinner tonight."
"So you're just going to leave me stranded?" she asked, pouting.
Without another word, Rhaegon pulled out a black card, wrote down the pin, and handed it to her.
Camilla's smile returned.
That evening, dinner was served at the Hale residence.
Everyone was seated except Rhaegon.
Minutes later, the sound of engines filled the driveway. Multiple cars pulled in. Rhaegon stepped out and headed straight for the dining room.
The moment he entered, he noticed it.
Grandpa Philip looked… disturbed.
Rhaegon's gaze sharpened. A sudden family dinner always meant one thing—an announcement.
He took his seat.
"Your brothers will take positions at the Hale Corporation," Grandpa Philip said calmly.
Asha, Thayford, and Lincoln exchanged glances.
Asha spoke first. "Grandpa, I won't be able to balance the company and my games."
Lincoln shook his head. "I'm still in school. I can't handle both."
Thayford added quietly, "I'm too young."
They all understood the weight of the company. And they all knew only Rhaegon could truly handle it.
Despite his reputation as a playboy, Rhaegon was disciplined, precise, and relentless when it came to work. He somehow balanced business, family, and a private life without letting any of it collapse.
Grandpa Philip leaned forward.
"If Rhaegon does not get engaged within six months," he said firmly, "I will transfer the deeds and full shares of the Hale Corporation and the Essence Group to Uncle Louis."
The room exploded.
"What?"
"Grandpa, you can't!"
"Uncle Louis abandoned the family!"
"He left when the Hale Corporation was falling apart!"
"You want to hand Rhaegon's hard work to him?" Asha demanded.
"My word is final," Grandpa Philip said. Grandpa Philip was the managerial head of both the Essence Group and the Hale Corporation. Although Rhaegon served as CEO, Grandpa Philip remained the Chairman of the Board and as chairman, the final authority rested with him.
Silence followed.
Rhaegon said nothing. His jaw tightened, but his expression remained controlled.
What none of them knew was this…
Grandpa Philip never intended to give the company to Uncle Louis.
He only needed one thing.
A way to force Rhaegon Hale to get engaged.