Before anyone could react, Juliet suddenly strode forward.
Alexa barely had time to widen her eyes before Juliet grabbed her firmly by the cheeks with one hand.
"Get out of my way, you pick-me bitch."
With a sharp shove, Juliet pushed Alexa aside.
"Ah!"
Caught completely off guard, Alexa stumbled backward in shock. Her heels slipped against the polished floor, and before she could regain her balance, she crashed face-first into the wall with a loud thud.
A chorus of shocked gasps immediately erupted around the room.
She cried out in pain, tears instantly springing to her eyes as she clutched her face with both hands.
Juliet, however, didn't spare her so much as a glance.
She turned on her heel and walked straight toward Cassian. Stopping in front of him, she wrapped both arms around his waist and pressed herself against him before tilting her face up.
Batting her eyelashes with exaggerated innocence, she asked sweetly, "Cassian, Alexa says someone like you could never like someone like me."
A ripple of awkward silence spread through the room.
Cassian lowered his gaze to her. For the briefest moment, unmistakable amusement flickered in his dark eyes.
"Is that so?"
Juliet nodded solemnly.
"Apparently, I'm an orphan, manipulative, jealous, and a thief."
For several seconds, Cassian simply looked at her.
Then, without warning, he cupped her face with both hands and lowered his head.
The room fell silent.
He kissed her.
Slowly.
Thoroughly.
Several guests openly gasped.
When he finally pulled away, he didn't move far. Resting his forehead gently against hers, he kept one hand cradling her cheek.
"I don't care if you have no family," he said quietly, his voice carrying clearly through the silent room. "Because from now on, you have me."
His gaze softened as he looked at her.
"And for the record, I love every part of you."
Juliet's face immediately broke into a bright smile.
Without another word, Cassian slid one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back before effortlessly lifting her into his arms.
Juliet let out a startled squeak, automatically wrapping both arms around his neck as Cassian gathered her closer against his chest and carried her out without a second glance at anyone else.
