Someone in the room shouted, "I object!"
At the same time, Amie said, "I’m married already."
The room erupted into noise again.
"She’s married? To whom?"
"Whoever that bastard is, he’s surely lucky to be married to the Vassari heir."
Yet, some glanced back to look at the man who had dared to object to what Serena had said.
Most of them might have come as guests, but everyone knew Serena’s word was law. No one would dare counter her.
When Amie had shouted, June stole a glance at Rauf.
He looked calm.
Way too calm, as though what Amie had just announced had nothing to do with him.
But she couldn’t say a word because the person who had objected was far more interesting to her.
Her father stood at the back, twirling a glass of champagne in his hand. He was dressed neater than she had ever seen him in her life, and worse, Rauf’s mother stood beside him.
She heard Rauf grind his teeth, but he didn’t make a move.
He had no intention of leaving her alone.
Serena, who stared at Samir with so much hatred, pretended not to see him moving boldly towards the front.
"Who objects?" she asked, pretending she couldn’t see Samir coming closer.
She had seen Rauf and June in the hall, and though she itched to move closer to June, to talk to her and ask if she was okay, she didn’t. She remained glued to her spot.
She had spotted three guests who were from the Monterrio clan and some uninvited guests who must have forged or stolen invitations.
She had to go to extremes for them to believe Amie was her daughter and June had nothing to do with her.
"My name is Samir Trevor."
Samir’s voice grew louder as he said Trevor, as though waiting for the people around him to figure out their relationship.
Seeing her father among the guests brought some sort of relief to Amie.
Now that her father was here, there was no way they were losing.
Serena smirked inwardly.
She knew exactly what they were playing at, and this was payback time.
"Samir?" she asked as though the name sounded strange to her.
Most of the people kept quiet as they focused on watching them.
"And who are you to object?"
Samir shifted on his feet. Serena watched him puff out his chest as though he was about to deliver very important news.
"I’m Amie’s father."
Serena smiled inwardly.
Exactly what she wanted.
By announcing his relationship with Amie to the public, he had just earned himself enemies he couldn’t deal with.
"So? Just because you’re her father doesn’t give you the right to object to me. If you want, you can give her some of your properties."
If there was something Serena had learnt recently, it was the fact that Samir had spent most of his money on bad investments. He claimed he had been investing in something bigger, but gradually, he was beginning to lose what he had.
Amie didn’t seem to know that.
Shocked, Samir’s gaze travelled among the people in the hall. They were murmuring. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"You have no idea. I have done my part all these years, taking care of Amie. Now it’s your turn to take care of her, and you’re suddenly adding some sort of condition."
Samir turned to the crowd and shouted, "If you don’t want to give your daughter anything, just say it. You must like having all that authority to yourself."
Chris, who had arrived with Ellie in the middle of the argument, wanted to burst forward and teach Samir the right way to talk to his mother, but he saw Serena shake her head at him.
With his few words, Samir seemed to have won some of the public’s sympathy.
"That’s true."
"Why host the party and welcome her if she’s going to humiliate her like this?"
Serena pretended not to hear most of the comments.
"This is how it’s done for a Vassari daughter."
Samir snorted. "Rubbish. That’s not right."
Finally, Amie decided she needed to say her part. She placed her hand on her father’s shoulder.
"Father, you don’t have to worry about it. Have you forgotten I’m married?"
Again, whispers ensued. Everyone started talking.
She turned to Serena.
"Mother, I am married."
The word Mother irked Serena, but she pretended to be okay with it.
"Congratulations, dear. Then you’re allowed to accept everything. I just have to see your husband and ask him a few questions."
Amie turned away from Serena.
If she could get the things Serena had listed, she would be set for life. She could finally live the life she wanted without bowing to them too much.
"My husband is here."
Everyone started looking from one man to another. Their gazes moved around the room, searching for the person who had won the heart of the Vassari princess.
From behind her glasses, Serena turned towards Rauf.
His hand was holding June’s tightly.
She smiled.
Maybe it was time to find out how much Rauf actually cared for her daughter, June.
So, she turned back to Amie.
"That’s great, darling. Bring him here so we can finalize everything and the feast can finally begin."
With her head lifted high, Amie held the hem of her dress, lifted it slightly, and strutted towards Rauf.
People parted for her like the Red Sea, curious to see where she was going.
When she got in front of June and Rauf, she stopped, her eyes moving to their joined hands.
Did they reconcile?
Has Rauf found out the truth?
Amie shook her head.
There was no way he knew the truth.
If he did, he would have sent her divorce papers or something. But he hadn’t done that. In fact, the card he had given her after leaving the hospital was still working.
If he knew, he would have frozen it.
So, she took a bold step.
"Darling, Mother wants to see you."
Rauf looked behind him as though she was talking to someone else.
"Who, me?"
With a sly smile, she nodded.
"Of course, darling. After all, you’re my husband."
Rauf narrowed his gaze at her. His voice was cold, and his hand never left June’s.
"I am not your husband, Amie Trevor."