“The party has already been postponed once,” she reasoned. “If we cancel now, with everyone watching, it would put Grandpa, Dad, and you in a terrible position, wouldn’t it?”
Wesley was taken aback, surprised that she was thinking of them. He lowered his gaze. “So you’re planning to face all these people alone?”
“It’s a Rayburn engagement party. As long as a Rayburn is there, that’s what matters, right?” she said, managing a faint, strained smile.
Before Wesley could react, Charlotte turned to Elliot. “Everyone knows today is the engagement party for a Miss Rayburn and the heir to the Chase fortune. And since the groom isn’t here, you’ll have to be the man of the hour.”
Elliot’s jaw dropped. “N-No way,” he stammered in shock. “You can’t be asking me to… He’ll kill me!”
“Of course, *I* can’t be the one up there,” Charlotte said, pulling Loretta to her side. “Loretta is a Miss Rayburn too, isn’t she?”
Loretta froze, looking at Charlotte in disbelief.
Elliot was dumbfounded. The idea was so audacious it was beyond anything he could have imagined. But it was also reckless and shocking.
“Miss Sterling, I get what you’re trying to do, but this was supposed to be your and Evander’s engagement party. Suddenly swapping me and Loretta in… putting aside what old Mr. Rayburn would think, aren’t you playing with Loretta’s future?”
Loretta’s eyelids fluttered, and she stared at the floor without a word.
“Just think of it as doing me a favor. It’s only for show; you don’t actually have to get married. But if you won’t do it with her, then you’ll have to stand in for Evander with me. It’s one or the other!” Charlotte was taking a gamble, but she knew she couldn’t let her emotions rule. She had to think of the Rayburn family.
Wesley took a deep breath and turned to Elliot. “Elliot, if you help us with this, I will be in your debt. Anything you need from me in the future, just ask.”
Elliot was silent for a moment, then clicked his tongue. “Fine, I can help. But you have to ask Loretta.”
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