Chapter 466


    Avery''s heart nearly leaped out of her chest when she saw that.


    Every cell in her body seemed to be engulfed by a zing fire.


    Before William could ept the disk from the woman, Avery shouted at Cayden, “No! I don''t want to


    marry you. I won''t get engaged with you!”


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    No one said a word.


    It wouldn''t even be an overstatement to say that one could easily hear a needle dropping on the floor in


    the ballroom of the hotel.


    Cayden had gotten down on one knee in front of her on the stage, and he was taken aback by her


    answer.


    He knew that Avery was looking forward to their wedding far more than he was. Therefore, he was


    surprised when she gave an unfavorable reply.


    Beside them, Jeffrey''s face became grim as his hand, grasping the cane, started to quiver


    uncontrobly.


    Seeing that, Xavier stepped forward to support Jeffrey.


    Meanwhile, Lily''s face was devoid of expression.


    From her own experience, she thought marrying into a wealthy family was a miserable trap. Thus, she


    approved of Avery''s decision.


    On the other hand, Allie was on the verge of losing her cool. If it weren''t for her dignity, she would''ve


    rushed onstage to rip Avery''s innocent face apart.


    Many socialites would eagerly jump at the chance to be married to my son, so I am appalled that this


    woman could so brazenly turn him down in public. It is an insult to our family and an embarrassment to


    us all.


    Shock was written over ke''s and Alina''s faces.


    Avery has always been an obedient child. Why is she doing this? Even if she had no intention of


    marrying him, she could have chosen to do that before the event, so as not to humiliate him in front of


    his wealthy peers.


    Cayden stared at Avery as his heart constricted in agony at her answer.


    He didn''t get up and insisted on getting an answer. “Why?”


    Avery felt her heart was being torn apart.


    Her shoulders were trembling as tears gathered in her eyes, but her voice was determined as she


    dered, “I don''t think I''m worthy of you. Youe from a wealthy family and are a remarkably


    sessful and eligible bachelor. I, on the other hand,e from a much poorer background and am


    not as capable as you. Plus, I don''t have the best character. I can''t provide you with any help in your


    career, and I can''t give you the things you desire, so I apologize for that.”


    Despite the immense sorrow that weighed her down like an anchor, Avery refused to let go of herst


    shred of sanity.


    She had no idea who the woman was, though it was clear that thetter had some kind of ulterior


    motive for using the disk to intimidate her into leaving Cayden. There were only two logical


    exnations for why the woman would threaten her in such a manner—either the woman had feelings


    for Cayden, or someone else had instigated her to do so.


    No matter what, the woman''s objective was to force Avery to leave on her own will.


    Avery was taking a chance. If that woman had developed any sort of emotional attachment to Cayden


    or had been given orders from someone else, she would not give the disk to anyone else, provided


    Avery agreed to depart from Cayden as requested.


    The woman wouldn''t embarrass Cayden in public.


    Thus, Avery decided to take the me for calling off the engagement.


    The woman might be displeased, but the engagement ceremony would not be taking ce today. After


    being humiliated today, the Moore family would never let Avery marry Cayden.


    Her deplorable intention could be aplished, and Avery would not have to feel so remorseful


    toward Cayden.


    Avery felt as though her heart was being ripped apart, the pain so severe that it felt as though her


    organs were being split in two, leaving her in sheer agony.


    Naturally, Cayden refused to believe her exnation as it sounded too far-fetched.


    Despite that, he felt a dull ache in his usually strong heart.


    Cayden rose to his feet and grabbed her shoulders. In a voice that only they both could hear, he


    demanded, “I don''t believe a word you said. I want to understand what happened for you to change


    your mind so suddenly. If you''re not ready to marry me yet, I can wait for you. I''ll wait for years, even a


    lifetime, if that''s what it takes for you to befortable. You know I would never force you to do


    something you don''t want to do, right?”


    Avery was experiencing a splitting headache that felt as if someone had taken a hammer and hit her


    head with it.


    She felt utterly remorseful to hear Cayden''s words.


    Her mind was clear and sharp, but her gaze was one of helplessness and confusion.


    Cayden took in her shame, agony, and hesitance.


    Something flickered across his eyes as his gaze turned dark. He heaved a sigh of relief slightly upon


    the realization that Avery was lying when she imed she didn''t want to marry him. Patiently, he waited


    for her to provide a usible reason.


    s, Avery merely shook her head as her face turned deathly pale.


    Cayden was about to question her further when she suddenly copsed to the ground weakly.


    “Avery!” Cayden caught her before she could fall to the ground.


    His heart wrung at the sight of her motionless form as hisplexion faded to a ghostly pallor.


    A pang of excruciating pain surged through his heart.


    Cayden regretted questioning her. He even started wondering if it was his fault for urging her to marry


    him as she might not be prepared to be his wife yet.


    The crowd flew into an uproar instantly.


    After all, none of them knew Avery would suddenly change her mind in the middle of the engagement


    party before fainting on the spot.


    They started chatting and pointing fingers at Avery. Inevitably, the woman became the target of scorn


    and derision.


    Cayden picked Avery up easily.


    His tall and impable figure came to a stop before the microphone that was positioned vertically.


    As his unusually icy demeanor and intimidating aura filled the room, everyone else fell silent.


    “Greetings, everyone!” Cayden''s cold but elegant voice boomed through the speaker. “I must apologize


    for the unfortunate circumstances that have arisen. My fiancée, Avery Rumpley, contracted the


    ”


    Cayden''s voice was soft. Despite his curled lips, he was gazing darkly at everyone. The media


    members in attendance at the engagement party felt an icy chill running down their spines as they were


    met by his intense, brooding stare.


    Cayden might look like a harmless gentleman, but he was known for his ruthless and domineering


    decisions in the corporate world.


    Anyone who had the audacity to defy or challenge him would be met with swift and harsh revenge.


    They would have to face the consequences of their actions, which could be incredibly unpleasant.


    Cayden then strode out of the ballroom with Avery in his arms.


    Among the audience, Nicole clenched her jaw as she watched them leave.


    This isn''t supposed to happen! Avery humiliated Cayden and the Moore family in public. Shouldn''t he


    dump or despise her? Why did he still defend her?