Marrying Without My Eight-Year Boyfriend Knowing novel Chapter 66

"Margaret Barnes, if it weren’t for you, Gianna wouldn’t have suffered all these years. How dare you think you’re worthy of being with me? You’re nothing but a fraud. The person I’m meant to marry is Gianna."

With that, Christian turned and slipped the engagement ring onto Gianna’s finger. Gianna lightly caressed the ring, casting me a smug, provocative glance.

The crowd of reporters and guests erupted into a frenzy, their murmurs echoing throughout the room. In that moment, every ounce of my dignity shattered, scattered like fragments on the floor.

Christian’s parents were furious, shouting at him, "Christian, have you lost your mind? Do you realize where you are and what you’re doing?"

But Christian remained indifferent, taking Gianna’s hand and announcing to everyone, "Perhaps you’re unaware, but she is the true Barnes daughter, Gianna. Margaret has been living in her place for all these years, stealing her rightful life, while Gianna endured hardships. Now that the real heiress has returned, the one I should be engaged to is Gianna."

The reporters, eager for such explosive news, pounced.

"Miss Margaret, is what he said true? How are you feeling right now?"

I glanced at the two of them. Gianna nestled against Christian’s chest like a delicate bird, flashing me a mocking smile, while Christian stared coldly in my direction.

I felt a flicker of sadness, but it didn’t consume me. I had faced far worse. With a calm smile, I replied to the reporters, "He’s right. There was a mix-up at birth. Although Christian and I have been together for years, I understand that once my sister returned, the two of them became inseparable. Today, we’re simply taking the opportunity to announce her identity. As for me, Margaret, the person I’m truly getting engaged to is Robert Hughes."

The room fell into stunned silence before the chatter erupted anew. All eyes turned to Robert. He looked bewildered at first but quickly understood my signal. He strode toward me, pulled out a diamond ring, and slipped it onto my finger under the gaze of the entire crowd.

Christian, who had been watching with a cold sneer moments earlier, couldn’t sit still any longer.

"Margaret, have you lost your mind? The Hughes family is on the brink of bankruptcy, and Robert is an illegitimate child. Even if I’ve abandoned you, there’s no need to throw yourself into such a pathetic engagement."

I held back a laugh, the corners of my lips curling into a faint smirk.

"Mr. Christian Torres, this is my business. I don’t think it concerns you."

Looking at me with guilt-ridden eyes, Jacob said, "Margaret, I’ve wronged you. Do you really have to leave our family?"

Lowering my gaze, I replied softly, "Yes. Thank you for raising me all these years. Moving forward, please take care of the company."

Gianna scoffed, unconcerned.

"Hmph, our family has me now. The Barnes family business will belong to me in the future. You, an outsider, have no place meddling in it."

At this moment, Christian approached, gently holding Gianna’s hand and patting his chest as if making a vow.

"That’s right, Uncle. You should have faith in Gianna. With her talent and your genes, our two families’ businesses will only grow bigger and stronger. It’s only a matter of time before we surpass the Butler Group."

The Butler Group was a dominant force in the business world, while the Torres family had only recently risen to prominence in the past two years. Many hailed Christian as a business genius, and he clearly thought so too.