Chapter 96

It all happened in a matter of seconds. I barely had the time to react. This was something that I never anticipated. I didn't expect Hayden to put himself in harm's way and let all those wine glasses crash down on him just to frame me. Ophelia burst through the crowd before I could process it. She listened to the murmurs around her and glanced at Hayden sprawled on the floor. She marched straight up toward me and slapped me across the face without saying a single word. She had gathered nearly all her strength to deliver that slap. The sound echoed through the banquet hall, silencing everyone. Her anger was palpable at the moment, and everyone could see it. A few voices whispered among the crowd, "Oh my God! I heard that the man who fell is Ms. Smith's fiancé." "Ms. Smith must truly love him. She slapped the other guy without hesitation for him." Someone at the side recognized me. "The man she slapped is his brother, if I'm not mistaken." "I heard Ms. Smith and his brother were