The banquet hall was louder when they returned.
Whispers had multiplied.
Rumors traveled faster than champagne refills.
By the time Shen Yu and Ting Ting stepped back inside, dozens of eyes shifted toward them.
Ting Ting's face was pale but carefully composed again. Fragile. Wronged. Almost tearful.
Shen Yu's expression was controlled — but only barely.
"Stop making this worse," he muttered under his breath to me as I approached.
"I'm not making anything," I replied calmly.
"You've embarrassed everyone enough. We'll continue the engagement party. You'll calm down. Tomorrow we'll discuss this privately."
There it was again.
Control.
Damage management.
As if I were a misbehaving investment.
Ting Ting stepped forward softly. "Mei Mei… I'm sorry about the necklace. I didn't mean to break it. Please don't be angry anymore…"
Her voice trembled perfectly.
If I hadn't died once already, I might have believed her again.
I looked at her.
Then looked away.
Like she wasn't even worth answering.
That hurt her more than a slap.
"Xie Mei," Shen Yu warned quietly, "don't be childish."
I finally turned to him.
"I'm not being petty," I said evenly.
His eyes narrowed.
"Then what are you doing?"
I didn't answer.
Instead, I walked past him.
Straight toward the stage.
The music faltered as I stepped onto it.
A few guests shifted uncomfortably. The host hesitated near the microphone.
I didn't hesitate.
I took it.
The feedback screeched briefly before the room fell into complete silence.
Hundreds of eyes.
Waiting.
Watching.
Shen Yu moved forward instantly. "Xie Mei—"
I raised one hand.
And for the first time in our entire relationship—
He stopped.
"Thank you all for attending tonight," I began smoothly.
My voice did not shake.
It carried.
Clear.
Composed.
"Originally, this evening was meant to celebrate my engagement to the second son of the Shen family."
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Shen Yu's jaw tightened.
Ting Ting clutched her dress.
"However," I continued, "after careful consideration, I've decided to make a change."
Murmurs grew louder.
Shen Yu was already halfway toward the stage.
"Xie Mei, stop this."
I smiled faintly.
"This engagement will not proceed."
Gasps.
Someone dropped a glass.
Shen Yu's face darkened. "Get down."
But I wasn't finished.
"The alliance between the Xie family and the Shen family remains," I said clearly. "But the groom will be different."
Now even the elders in the front rows leaned forward.
And then—
"In accordance with both families' original contract…"
I paused just long enough for tension to coil tight.
"I will be engaged to the eldest son of the Shen family."
Silence.
Pure.
Stunning.
"Shen Gu."
The name fell like thunder.
For a moment, no one reacted.
Then chaos.
"What?!"
"The eldest son?"
"Is this confirmed?"
"Was this planned?"
Shen Yu's composure shattered.
"This is ridiculous!" he snapped, stepping onto the stage. "This has not been approved!"
I turned slightly toward him, still holding the microphone.
"It has now."
The doors at the back of the hall opened.
And Shen Gu walked in.
Unhurried.
Immaculate.
As if he had expected this exact moment.
The whispers swelled.
Even the older board members straightened.
He didn't look at the crowd first.
He looked at me.
Measured.
Questioning.
And then—
He walked up the stage steps.
Stopped beside me.
Close enough that the message was unmistakable.
Together.
"If there are concerns," he said calmly, his voice naturally commanding without effort, "direct them to me."
The room went dead silent again.
Because unlike Shen Yu—
Shen Gu didn't raise his voice.
He didn't demand.
He declared.
Shen Yu stared at his brother in disbelief.
"You're actually entertaining this farce?"
Shen Gu didn't look at him.
"It's not a farce."
His gaze slid to me briefly.
Then back to the audience.
"It's an agreement."
The distinction was intentional.
Ting Ting looked like she might faint.
This wasn't what she wanted.
She wanted Shen Yu.
Not a public demotion of him.
Not a promotion of his rival brother.
Not this.
Shen Yu's pride was bleeding in real time.
"You're doing this to provoke me," he said to Shen Gu.
"No," Shen Gu replied calmly.
"She chose."
The room shifted again.
Because that was the truth.
I chose.
And in my last life—
I never had the chance to choose anything.
I stepped closer to Shen Gu.
Not touching.
But near enough.
And smiled at the crowd.
"Thank you all for witnessing our new beginning."
Applause began.
Hesitant.
Then stronger.
Because power respects clarity.
And tonight—
The power had shifted.
Shen Yu stood frozen on the stage.
For the first time—
He wasn't the groom.
He wasn't the center.
He wasn't in control.
And Ting Ting—
Was no longer standing behind the winning man.