Chapter 257

Colorful paper confetti exploded into the air as a slender, elegantly dressed young woman emerged from the decorative box, surrounded by a flurry of artificial butterflies. The scene looked like something out of a fairy tale.

"Natheniel!" Amelia Rivers squealed, rushing forward to throw her arms around him. "I can't believe you did all this for me! It's absolutely perfect!"

Evelyn Whitmore stood frozen, her earlier excitement draining away. Those butterflies she'd felt in her stomach now seemed like cruel irony.

Amelia was back.

Every Celestial Bloom at Silver Moon Estate had been cultivated for this moment. The reason Nathaniel had summoned Evelyn here became painfully clear - to announce the return of his true love. Her role as his temporary wife needed to end gracefully, without causing any distress to his precious Amelia. Of course.

How foolish she'd been.

For one breathtaking moment, she'd actually believed this elaborate setup was for her. That Nathaniel Grayson might declare his feelings.

Pathetic. Hadn't he made it perfectly clear? He could offer her everything except his heart. That belonged solely to Amelia.

Just like the meaning behind those Celestial Blooms - flawless, eternal love.

A stray butterfly fluttered near Evelyn's face, as if mocking her presence. She didn't belong here.

Nearby, Sophia Bennett stood slack-jawed, her phone still recording what was supposed to be Nathaniel's grand romantic gesture to Evelyn.

"What the actual hell?" she muttered under her breath.

Why today of all days? Why did Amelia have to return now?

Wait. Where did Evelyn go?

Sophia panicked when she realized Evelyn had vanished. She scanned the area frantically with her phone camera but found no trace of her.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen as she dialed Evelyn's number. Only an automated voice responded.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

Evelyn was gone.

Night had fallen over the city.

At the bustling riverwalk of downtown New Capital...

The skyline glittered with towering skyscrapers, their lights reflecting off the water in a dazzling display. But tonight, something extraordinary was happening.

The Century Bank Tower's massive LED display kept flashing the same message in bold letters:

[I LOVE YOU, AMELIA]

The adjacent building's display echoed similar sentiments:

[WELCOME HOME, MY PRINCESS]

The night sky erupted in bursts of sapphire fireworks, their brilliant trails lingering longer than usual. A fleet of drones formed a perfect heart shape, complete with an arrow piercing through it.

Couples strolling along the riverwalk, tourists, and locals alike stopped to gawk at the extravagant display. Murmurs of awe and envy filled the air.

"Whoever's behind this must be loaded!"

"That's true love right there!"

"More like true wealth if you ask me."

Rumors spread quickly through the crowd.

"Someone bought out the entire greenhouse stock of Celestial Blooms for Silver Moon Estate. Must be preparing some grand romantic gesture."

"Silver Moon Estate? For Princess Amelia? Is Amelia Rivers back in town?"

"Who's Amelia Rivers?"

"Are you serious? The Rivera heiress? Her grandfather's a Nobel laureate, grandmother's actual royalty. Her father's an Olympic gold medalist, mother's an Oscar-winning actress. Her brothers are literally ranked among the world's wealthiest bachelors. That girl was born with a diamond spoon in her mouth!"

"And stunningly beautiful too."

"No wonder someone's going all out. How do you impress a woman who's had everything since birth?"

Evelyn sat alone on a riverside bench, sipping from a soda can as she watched the spectacle unfold across the city skyline. The dazzling lights reflected in her cold, distant eyes while a bitter smile played on her lips.

What an ostentatious declaration of love.

Nathaniel Grayson certainly knew how to make his feelings known.