CHAPTER 167: THE PROPOSAL
The moment Diana walked back into the hall, heads turned.
No one could believe this was the same woman who had been humiliated barely an hour ago. The transformation was too sharp, too powerful. She didn't just clean up, she showed up.
And she came with fire in her step.
Toby Champion caught sight of her almost immediately. His jaw dropped for a heartbeat before a wide grin stretched across his face. He made his way toward her, arms open in delight.
Diana smiled, bright and full, before stepping right into his embrace.
"Hey, stranger," she drawled with a playful spark in her tone.
"My favorite party planner," Toby cooed back, squeezing her gently.
She chuckled, reaching up to pinch his cheek lightly. Just like that, the hall watched their shared affection play out like a private movie scene, and every camera drank it in.
Not far off, Cassandra and Belle watched with narrowed eyes, their glasses frozen mid-air. Their sabotage hadn't just failed, it had backfired. Now, the very woman they tried to disgrace was standing at the center of attention, radiant and adored.
Toby turned to Diana, his palm now resting on her lower back with the kind of public respect that silences rumors.
"Well, my dear," he said, his voice rising, "I think it's about time I introduced you to the world."
Diana's smile widened. "I was thinking the same thing, Toby. Let's not keep them waiting anylonger."
He grinned, picked up a glass, and gently clinked it with a fork. The chatter faded as curious heads turned his way.
"Good evening, everyone!" Toby's voice boomed with joy. "First of all, thank you—thank you so much for being here to celebrate with me. Tonight means a lot."
He paused, scanning the crowd, then turned to Diana with a soft smile before continuing.
"I know many of you have been whispering and wondering, who's the brilliant mind behind tonight's magic? The seamless coordination? The aesthetic? The vibe? Well, wonder no more."
Laughter bubbled through the crowd.
"Standing beside me is the secret weapon of the night. A woman with class, precision, and sheer brilliance. My dear friend, Diana Margaret Pierce."
There were gasps, followed by a wave of applause and loud cheers. Her name echoed like an anthem. Even Diana was taken aback for a second by how much love came pouring out.
In the corner of the room, Raymond, Jackson, and Jason clapped like proud kings, their eyes shining with pride. Their sister had stolen the show.
Toby stepped back slightly and gestured toward her. "Would you like to say a few words?"
Diana took a breath, stepped forward, and smiled at the sea of faces before her.
"Hello, everyone," she began, her tone smooth, steady. "I do hope that after tonight, I've earned the title of your favorite event planner."
The room chuckled warmly.
"But of course, I didn't do this alone," she continued. "I had help, real ones."
She turned to the side and beckoned. "Ladies, please come up."
Her girls walked forward with proud smiles, heels clicking softly as they joined her under the lights.
"These women right here are powerhouses," Diana said, her voice laced with pride. "Each one of them has a sharp mind, a killer heart, and the kind of presence that can shift a room. Feel free to ask for their business cards. I promise, you want what they're offering."
The crowd laughed again, this time with admiration. The women waved and stepped back, glowing with joy.
Diana turned back to Toby with a nod.
He stepped forward and took the stage again, but for a moment, his gaze lingered on her.
"Wow, Diana; beautiful, charming, intelligent, a good friend, all in one package," Toby said with a proud smile.
He paused for a beat before continuing. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while now. Ever since I met you. And I think this is the perfect moment to say it—right here, in front of everyone."
Cheers and teasing hoots rose from the crowd as people leaned in with curiosity. Someone shouted, "Say it already!"
Diana's smile froze just slightly. Her chest tightened. She knew what was coming. And her mind screamed: Shit. Shit. Shit.
Toby turned to her, completely ignoring her sudden shift in energy. "Diana," he said again, "I want to propose to you… please, be my girlfriend."
And just like that, she choked on her spit.
A nervous cough escaped her lips as her body betrayed her. She wasn't ready. She wasn't even supposed to be in this mess.
Her plan—her stupid, reckless plan, was turning against her.
Who the hell told her to take off her ring?!
Her hand moved instinctively toward her purse, but it wasn't there. She couldn't even find the damn ring if she wanted to.
Panic rose slowly. She tried to hold it down, but it was clawing at her throat.
Toby stepped behind her gently, his palm on her back. "I'm sorry, Diana. I didn't mean for this to happen you."
She hadn't even found the words yet to reply him when another hand gripped her arm tightly.
It was Belle.
"You stupid woman," Belle spat, voice low but venomous. "Look at the mess you've landed yourself in. Deceiving everyone like this. Shameless bitch. When I called you a whore, no one listened."
Diana's lips parted, but no sound came out. People were turning, confused, stunned.
Belle raised her voice.
"I said it before, and I'll say it again! This woman here is a fraud! A complete scam artist! Smiling in front of you all, playing innocent, when she's nothing but a manipulator!"
Toby's brows shot up in confusion as he took a step back. "Who the hell are you to speak to her like that?" he snapped at Belle.
But Belle was already in full drama mode.
She gave him a fake sweet smile and flipped her hair. "Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Toby," she said, dragging his name with mock sweetness, "but this woman is not who you think she is. She's been lying to everyone. She doesn't deserve your praise or your attention."
Diana's chest rose and fell with short breaths. She felt hot all over, but it wasn't from embarrassment. It was from the pressure, the heat of the lie catching fire around her.
Raymond stepped forward, fists clenched, his eyes blazing.
But Diana shook her head at him quickly, pleading with her eyes, Don't. If he stepped in, it could ruin everything he had built. She wouldn't let him bear the shame.
Belle turned back to her with fire in her eyes, relishing every second of the chaos. "What now, Diana? Cat got your tongue? Or are you trying to come up with another lie to save face?"
Toby looked from Belle to Diana, his face now tight with suspicion. "Diana… what the hell is going on? Who is she? And what is she talking about?"
Diana stood frozen, lips parted, her heart pounding so loud she could barely hear the music in the background.
She looked around the room, at all the eyes watching, waiting, judging. If she told the truth now, it would cost her everything.
Her name. Her career. Her friends' businesses. Their dreams. Their progress.
Everything.
So she did the only thing she could do.
She swallowed hard as she decided that she was sticking to the lie.