Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 95

The surrounding guests turned to look, whispering among themselves.

Gabriella took a deep breath, closing her eyes momentarily. When she opened them again, they were filled with cold fury. "Grace, you did that deliberately, didn't you?"

Grace excelled at playing the innocent victim. Her lips formed a perfect pout as she adopted a wounded expression. "Gabriella, you were clearly the one not watching where you were going when you bumped into me. How can you accuse me of doing it deliberately? This is your family's event—why on earth would I dare to intentionally collide with you?"

At that moment, Charlotte and Victoria, having spotted Gabriella, were walking toward them.

"Oh, do stop the theatrics, Grace," Victoria said bluntly, giving Grace a rough shove. "Everyone knows you're green with envy. You deliberately spilled that wine on her to humiGabbyte her in front of everyone."

Grace's eyes instantly welled with tears. "How dare you make such accusations?"

Victoria retorted indignantly: "Your behaviour at the riding grounds and at South Downs has already proven what you're capable of. Do you honestly think we're all blind?"

Grace appeared on the verge of tears. "What have I done?"

Victoria gave her a cold stare. "With all these people present, do you really want me to spell it out?"

"What's happening, Grace?" Lady Blackwood approached, having heard the commotion.

Grace rushed to Lady Blackwood's side, clutching her arm with a wounded expression, choking back sobs as she said: "Grandmother, they're all ganging up against me."

Gabriella gave a cold laugh, finally losing her patience and confronting Lady Blackwood directly. "With Lady Blackwood protecting you, who could possibly bully you?"

"Grandmother, you see how she's treating me?" Grace sniffled, tugging at the elderly woman's sleeve.

Lady Blackwood exploded in anger: "Gabriella Rodriguez, don't you dare go too far!"

"I'm going too far? Lady Blackwood, is this how you've raised your granddaughter? You accuse me of lacking manners and propriety—perhaps you should take a good look at what your granddaughter has been doing!" Gabriella responded, then calmly instructed a nearby attendant: "Check the security footage."

The colour drained instantly from Grace's face.

She had specifically checked earlier and was certain there were no cameras in this area.

Gabriella's piercing gaze swept toward her, seeming to read her thoughts. With a cold smile, she said: "Did you think there weren't any security cameras here? Use that pathetic brain of yours—this is a massive banquet hall with countless guests coming and going. Of course there would be surveillance."

Gabriella gestured around the room. "There, there, and over there—all security cameras. For aesthetic purposes, they've been designed to blend with the decorations, but they're using the most advanced technology available with 360-degree coverage and no blind spots. Let's see how you try to weasel your way out of this."

Lady Blackwood responded furiously: "Check the footage then! My Grace would never lie. I want to see how you'll apologise when you're proven wrong!"

Grace felt cold sweat breaking out across her back, her heart pounding with anxiety.

The security footage would be disastrous. She had deliberately bumped into Gabriella to ruin her gown.

Why should Gabriella look so stunning tonight, with Asher's gaze constantly fixed on her?

Why should Gabriella become the centre of attention the moment she arrived?

She couldn't bear it!

If the security footage revealed that she had deliberately collided with Gabriella, even Grandmother would no longer defend her.

They absolutely could not check that footage.

Just then, Grace caught sight of Asher approaching from the corner of her eye.

She immediately bit her lip with a remorseful expression and apologised: "Gabriella, I'm so dreadfully sorry. It's entirely my fault. Please don't be cross."

"What's happening here?" Asher asked as he approached Gabriella.

"Offending Lady Blackwood over a mere gown—the consequences far outweigh any satisfaction. Gabriella clearly lacks perspective."

"What do you think the Blackwood heir will choose?"

"That's obvious—he'll side with Lady Blackwood and Grace. Lady Blackwood is his grandmother, and Grace is the sister he's known for over a decade. Is that even a question? His engagement to Gabriella is a business arrangement, a marriage of convenience. There's no genuine feeling between them."

"Exactly. In our social circles, these arranged marriages never involve real emotion. The young Mr. Blackwood will undoubtedly favour Grace."

"Hmm, Lady Blackwood seems absolutely furious. Do you think this engagement will actually proceed?"

"Highly doubtful."

Gabriella heard these comments, as did Grace and Asher.

Grace kept her head lowered as she wiped away tears, appearing to cry while only she knew that she was hiding the smile that played at her lips.

However, Asher suddenly raised his voice, his eyes cold with fury. "Who says I would side with Grace? Who says this marriage won't proceed?"

His voice rang out loudly, filled with anger, ensuring everyone present heard him clearly.

Instantly, all the whispered discussions ceased.

Even the orchestra dared not continue playing.

The banquet hall fell into an eerily tense silence.

Under the astonished gazes of the assembled guests, Asher took Gabriella's hand in his. Each word he spoke resonated with absolute conviction: "This is the woman I love deeply. Marrying her has been my wish for many years. I specifically sought this arrangement with Uncle Randolph—not for any business interests."