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Chapter 28

Author: Kayla Sango
Christian's POV

"No, Christian. This has already gone too far!"

I felt Zoey's fingers slip from mine, and before I could react, she was already pulling away, disappearing quickly into the crowd. For a second, I stood frozen, watching that blue dress vanish as dozens of curious eyes flicked between me and her retreating figure.

My grandfather remained on stage, his proud expression shifting into confusion. The microphone amplified his call, which now sounded more like a command:

"Christian? Zoey?"

There was no time to think. Years of hard negotiations had taught me how to improvise under pressure. I plastered on the most convincing smile I could manage and climbed onto the stage alone, slipping my arm around my grandfather's shoulders.

"Forgive my fiancée," I told the microphone, keeping my tone light. "Zoey has a touch of stage fright. Especially when all the attention is on her."

Understanding murmurs rippled through the crowd. I could practically see the influencers alr
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