Chapter 272
The merry-go-round's cheerful melody played on loop, but Julian Valdemar's phone kept vibrating relentlessly.
"Are you insane? Cutting ties with the Valdemars?" His friend's incredulous voice made Julian pause mid-step.
He instantly knew Sophia Laurent had made her move.
"Something like that." His reply was deliberately vague. "You know I've never seen eye to eye with the family."
A sharp inhale came through the receiver.
"The engagement cancellation—you're serious? Fooling around before marriage is one thing, but actually going through with it?"
Julian's gaze hardened. "I don't joke about these matters."
After a long silence, his friend offered weak consolation. "The Patriarch will cool down eventually—"
"Mhm." Julian ended the call without elaboration.
Across the amusement park, Jasmine Keane's phone also buzzed to life.
"Jasmine! Your boyfriend just got disowned by the Valdemars!"
"Don't be ridiculous." She scoffed.
As if the Valdemars would exile their own bloodline heir.
"My cousin works at Valdemar Holdings. The news is everywhere—"
Jasmine hung up and frantically opened social media.
Julian's name dominated the trending list.
Her smile froze.
Screenshots from Valdemar's internal chat groups had gone viral. Henry Chamberlain's calculated leaks fueled the wildfire.
"Valdemar heir cast out?"
"Lost a power struggle?"
Netizens speculated wildly.
Jasmine's lips curled in disdain.
What did these ignorant plebeians understand? Even at his lowest, Julian remained Valdemar royalty—a fallen phoenix still outshone common sparrows.
"Julian, are you okay?" She injected false concern into her voice.
His expression darkened. "Jasmine, I may have to disappoint you."
"What do you mean?" Her nails dug into her palms.
"I chose to break the engagement. The Patriarch issued an ultimatum." His tone was eerily calm.
Beneath her manicure, crescent marks bloomed on Jasmine's skin.
What value did a Valdemar without the family name hold?
The carousel music screeched to a halt.
Dark clouds gathered over the amusement park.