Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 147: Rumor

It was Justin Kane. He was finally here!

A joyful expression blossomed on Nina Thorne’s face, and her anxious heart was finally put at ease.

But everyone else’s expression changed. They were utterly shocked, as if they never expected him to show up.

This was especially true for Cole Kane.

’Wasn’t he supposed to be a no-show tonight?’

’What the hell is April Graham playing at?!’

"Justin Kane..."

Overjoyed, Nina Thorne lifted the hem of her dress and hurried over, but her expression froze when she saw another figure appear beside him.

She stopped in her tracks.

’April Graham?’

’They actually came together.’

Justin Kane wore a dark suit, exuding a cold, reserved, and distinguished air.

Standing beside him was April Graham, clad in a lavish and elegant gown. She wore a wine-red, long, curly wig, apparently to hide the head injury Nina had given her yesterday.

Yet, the getup was remarkably striking and flamboyant.

Both were exceptionally attractive, and standing together, they looked surprisingly well-matched.

It was hard not to assume that she was the wife Mr. Kane planned to announce tonight.

"Mr. Kane, you’re finally here! We’ve all been waiting for you," someone said with a smile.

"Apologies. I was dealing with an urgent matter and arrived late."

Justin Kane strode inside, appearing to walk straight toward Nina Thorne.

Nina Thorne’s throat tightened, her mind racing with questions.

’Why was he so late? And why did he show up with April Graham?’

’Did they come to an agreement last night?’

Nina Thorne watched Justin Kane approach, waiting for an explanation.

"Are you okay?"

Justin Kane stood beside her, his expression deep and his emotions restrained. "Something came up tonight. I’m late."

Nina Thorne glanced at April Graham, then forced a smile. "It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here."

"Justin, everyone’s waiting. The birthday party should begin," April Graham said with a charming smile, her demeanor poised and gracious.

Nina Thorne’s expression shifted slightly as she looked at Justin Kane in confusion.

Justin Kane turned his head to meet her gaze. His deep eyes were as dark and inscrutable as the night, betraying no emotion.

The hand Nina Thorne was using to hold her dress fell to her side. She had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

The guests’ expressions grew knowing, as if they had figured something out.

’Calling him so intimately... April Graham must be the wife Justin Kane is planning to announce tonight.’

’So it’s not Nina Thorne, after all!’

’In that case, doesn’t that mean Nina Thorne really did seduce Justin Kane, just like everyone was saying?’

Old Master Kane’s voice was grave. "Justin, what took you so long? We’ve been waiting for you for ages."

"And something just happened. It’s good you’re here. Go on and make your announcement to everyone."

Master Thorne, who had been feeling terribly anxious, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him. "That’s right, Justin. Don’t keep everyone waiting."

Justin Kane frowned slightly. "Alright. I do have an announcement to make."

Nina Thorne let out a breath of relief, thinking she had been overthinking things.

She smiled happily. "Then let’s begin."

A shadow passed over Justin Kane’s eyes.

Just then, someone asked, "Mr. Kane, the rumor is you’re going to use your birthday tonight to announce your marriage. Is that true?"

"Yes, who is your wife? Please, introduce us!"

"Exactly! And just now, it was all over the internet that Nina Thorne seduced you. Is there any truth to that?"

"..."

The gossipy questions were endless.

Justin Kane’s expression was cold and severe, his gaze sharp enough to cut. His answer was blunt. "Nina Thorne certainly did not seduce me. The online rumors are a deliberate smear campaign."

His presence was so commanding that after he spoke, no one dared to ask again.

Cole Kane and Serena Kane both shot a look at April Graham, their eyes seemingly asking, ’What the hell is going on?’

April Graham smiled calmly. "Justin, everyone is saying you’re going to announce your marriage tonight. Why don’t you clear up the confusion for all of us?"

Nina Thorne couldn’t help but frown, her eyes fixed warily on April Graham.

A terrible premonition suddenly washed over her.

But she quickly suppressed the feeling.

’We’re already married. I should trust Justin Kane.’

’Besides, everything he’s told me was so heartfelt. He could never let me down.’

"That’s right, Mr. Kane, we’re all so curious. Who is your wife?"

"Don’t keep us in suspense, Mr. Kane. Just tell us!"

"Yes, I’m dying to know who managed to marry such an exceptional man as Mr. Kane..."

Master Thorne laughed heartily. "Everyone, be patient! Justin will make his announcement shortly."

"Master Thorne seems so happy. Could it be that the one marrying Mr. Kane is actually Nina Thorne?"

"No way. I have a feeling it’s Miss Graham."

"I think so too. They had a history, and I heard there was even a child..."

Nina Thorne ignored the chatter, her clear eyes fixed on Justin Kane, awaiting his announcement.

Justin Kane’s expression was grim. His dark eyes rested on Nina Thorne for a moment before he said in a heavy voice, "The rumors are false. I am not here tonight to announce a marriage."

His voice was deep, but it rang out with piercing clarity in the silent banquet hall.

The crowd was stunned.

Even Master Thorne and Old Master Kane exchanged a look, thinking they had misheard.

"What did the boy say?"

Nina Thorne’s heart, once full of hope, plummeted as if from a great height.

She stared at him, bewildered and incredulous. "What... what did you say?"

Justin Kane’s brow furrowed, and his pupils contracted. As his dark eyes met her questioning gaze, they became even more somber and pained.

Thrilled, Cole Kane came to stand before Nina Thorne and sneered, "Did you hear that? I told you he would never acknowledge you. Do you believe me now?"

It felt as if Nina Thorne’s heart had been stabbed a thousand times, and blood was pouring from the wounds.

Her throat constricted, and she managed to croak out, "Is that so?"

Justin Kane’s brow creased deeply. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists, and his own throat tightened.

"Brother, so it was just a rumor? And here everyone thought you were going to announce your marriage tonight."

Serena Kane deliberately raised her voice. "I even thought my sister-in-law was going to be Miss Graham..."

Nina Thorne’s lips twitched. It took her a long moment to force out the word, "Why?"

Her voice was terribly hoarse.

Justin Kane’s lips twitched as he answered Serena Kane, "They were just rumors. I never said I was going to announce a marriage."

Nina Thorne gave a bitter laugh.

’So he’s given up on the plan.’

Master Thorne stood up, his expression stern. "Justin Kane, what do you think you’re doing? Didn’t we agree you were going to announce the marriage tonight?"

Old Master Kane also shot to his feet, supporting Master Thorne as he demanded, "That’s right. What exactly is going on? Explain yourself."

A vein throbbed in Justin Kane’s temple. He clenched his jaw before saying in a strained voice, "Perhaps the organizers spread some misinformation, causing a misunderstanding. My apologies, Grandfathers."

Seeing Justin Kane deny it again and again, the smile on April Graham’s face grew even more radiant and triumphant.

And she wasn’t the only one.

Cole Kane and Serena Kane also wore triumphant expressions, having completely forgotten about the trending video from earlier.

’They had done so much, all for this single moment.’

’The process didn’t matter. What mattered was that they had achieved their goal!’

Nina Thorne stared blankly at Justin Kane, unable to utter a single word. She bit her lip, her heart twisting as if from a knife.

’She understood now.’

’He was ashamed of her.’

’Fine. If he doesn’t want to make it public, then so be it.’

Nina Thorne forced a cold smile. "Fine. That’s just fine, Justin Kane."

Justin Kane’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, and the veins in his temples throbbed violently.

Master Thorne was overwrought. "Justin Kane, I can’t believe I was so wrong about you! You..."

"I trusted you completely, and this is how you treat her! You..."

"Pfft!"

Master Thorne suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. He clutched his chest in agony and collapsed.

Someone screamed in terror.

Nina Thorne, startled, rushed over. "Grandpa!"

Justin Kane’s eyes widened, and he quickly followed her.

"Grandpa..."

Nina Thorne reached for Master Thorne’s body, only to see a pool of blood on the floor.

His mouth and clothes were stained with patches of blood.

Overwhelming fear seized Nina Thorne, and tears instantly streamed down her face. "Grandpa, don’t scare me..."

She shouted, her voice trembling, "Quick, call an ambulance! Hurry up...!"

Everyone was stunned into silence.

Justin Kane immediately ordered Assistant Cheney to call for an ambulance. Seeing Nina Thorne trembling, he quickly put an arm around her shoulders to comfort her. "Don’t be afraid. The ambulance will be here any second."

Nina Thorne shoved him away, her voice a raw, hoarse whisper through gritted teeth. "Don’t touch me."

Her eyes, brimming with tears, were filled with a chilling coldness.

Justin Kane froze, a sharp pain lancing through his heart as if from a knife. He pulled back his hand.

Everyone present was too shocked by the sudden turn of events to speak.

Especially Old Master Kane.

What was supposed to be a perfectly fine banquet had been plagued by one disaster after another.

The ambulance arrived quickly and loaded Master Thorne onto a stretcher.

Nina Thorne rushed out after them, with Justin Kane and Assistant Cheney right behind.

"I’ll go to the hospital with you," Justin Kane said, his tone urgent and anxious.

Nina Thorne shot him a frigid glare. "I don’t need you. Justin Kane, stay out of my sight!"

It felt like another knife to the chest for Justin Kane, and he froze on the spot.

Without a second glance at him, Nina Thorne walked toward the ambulance.

Assistant Cheney hurried to catch up, accompanying her to the hospital.

「Outside the emergency room.」

Nina Thorne stood woodenly by the entrance, her eyes fixed on the closed doors. She looked desolate and pitiable.

Assistant Cheney couldn’t bear to see her like this. He walked over and said, "Ma’am, what happened tonight isn’t what you think. The thing is, Mr. Kane..."

"I don’t want to hear anything about him."

Nina Thorne cut him off icily. Her red, tear-filled eyes slowly turned to him as she said through clenched teeth, "Since this is a relationship that can’t be made public, then I’ll grant him his wish. It will never have to be."

"Ma’am, Mr. Kane..."

Assistant Cheney wanted to explain further, but Nina Thorne’s cold glare unnerved him, and he had no choice but to fall silent.