"All I did was propose to Effie. What the hell is wrong with you?"
My parents came rushing out at the commotion.
My mother took one look at the men groaning on the floor and shoved me, furious.
"What do you think you're doing? Just because your sister got engaged to Patrick, you're going to destroy the party?"
"It's your grandfather's birthday! Can't you show some basic decency?"
The guests hadn't heard what those men said to me.
They frowned in my direction.
"You're twenty-five years old. Can you act like it? Patrick doesn't want you. Throwing punches and breaking things isn't going to change that."
Effie's eyes glistened with tears.
"Celeste, if you really can't handle this, here. Take the ring. Just please stop making things harder for us."
She actually started pulling the engagement ring off her finger.
Patrick grabbed her hand and stopped her.
"Celeste, are you really this pathetic? I'm engaged, and you're still causing a scene?"
"You want to be with me that badly?"
He pulled Effie close.
"Make Effie happy first. Then maybe I'll consider it."
"Patrick?" Effie turned to look at him.
Patrick gave a low laugh.
"She won't leave me alone, so we might as well use that."
"But if she wants me to accept her, she'd better keep my wife satisfied first."
A flash of delight crossed Effie's eyes.
Patrick looked at me.
"Can you understand that? Or do I need to spell it out?"
I touched the cheek where Patrick had slapped me.
Said nothing.
Just stepped forward.
Slap.
And gave it right back.
My mother grabbed my arm.
"What are you doing!"
Effie let out a gasp.
"Celeste! If you want to hit someone, hit me! Don't touch him!"
"Hit you?"
I laughed. "You're not worth the effort."
"You—"
"Patrick."
I looked him dead in the eye. "As the CEO of Ascend Group, I'm terminating your appointment. Don't bother showing up."
"Ascend?"
He blinked.
Then a cold smirk spread across his face. "A desperate little nobody who throws herself at men has a position at a Fortune 500 company?"
Effie's expression melted into pity.
"Celeste, have you lost your mind? This is my fault. I should have kept the engagement a secret. I'm sorry I pushed you over the edge."
My mother glared at me.
"Ascend is a Fortune 500 company. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!"
The guests were practically doubled over with laughter.
"The moment those words left her mouth, I knew for sure she'd lost her mind."