The banquet hall buzzed with elegant conversation and clinking champagne glasses.
Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over tables draped in silk, while waiters glided between guests like well-trained ballet dancers.
Elena's father, Robert, led their family in quietly.
"Keep your voices low," he whispered. "Don't draw any unnecessary attention."
But within seconds, a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip crack.
"Well, well! Look what the cat dragged in!"
Elena's uncle, Richard Howard, strutted over with his daughter Sarah, both wearing smug expressions that could curdle milk.
"Richard," Patricia forced a smile. "How lovely to see you."
"Is it, though?" Sarah snickered. "I'm surprised you had the nerve to show your faces here after Elena's little embezzlement scandal."
"That's not what happened—" Elena began, but Richard cut her off with a dismissive wave.
"Oh please, spare us the sob story, niece. You stole company funds to pay for that street mongrel's mommy's medical bills. What kind of pathetic lapdog betrays her own family for a trash bag?"
"She’s been brainwashed by her crafty husband," Sarah added with a cruel laugh. "What a stupid woman!!"
"Where is your precious husband anyway?" Richard looked around mockingly. "Too embarrassed to bring him? Smart choice—nobody wants to see a rabid stray at a civilized gathering."
Elena's cheeks burned, but she remained silent.
"Since you've contributed absolutely nothing to this family except shame, you can't sit with the actual guests. The workers' table is over there."Richard pointed toward a corner table near the kitHoward. "More appropriate for your... status."
Patricia's face went pale. "Richard, surely you don't mean—"
"I mean exactly what I said," Richard's voice turned cold. "Sit with the help, where you belong."
This is humiliating.
Robert clenched his teeth, but he had no choice. They needed to stay in the family's good graces.
Just as they began their walk of shame toward the corner table, a commanding voice rang out.
"What's all this commotion?"
Everyone turned. Elena's grandmother, Margaret Howard, approached with her regal bearing intact despite her seventy-plus years. Her steel-gray hair was perfectly coiffed, and her emerald dress sparkled with authority.
"Mother!" Patricia's voice cracked with desperation and hope.
"Mother," Richard bowed slightly, suddenly nervous. "I was just... seating everyone appropriately."
Margaret's sharp eyes surveyed the scene. "And you thought my granddaughter and her family belonged with the staff?"
"Well, given their recent... difficulties..."
"Nonsense," Margaret declared, her voice cutting through Richard's stammering. "Elena, dear, come sit at the main table. We need to have a proper family discussion."
This was unexpected, suspicious
Elena frowned. Grandmother never defended them.
Patricia practically bounced with excitement. "Oh, thank you, Mother! “
She turned to Elena, whispered with satisfaction. “This must be all thanks to Vincent's influence!"
As if summoned by his name, Vincent appeared at Elena's side, flashing his most charming smile.
"Mrs. Howard," he bowed elegantly. "You look radiant tonight. Thank you for allowing me to join this wonderful celebration."
Margaret's face lit up. "Vincent! My dear boy, the pleasure is all ours. Richard, apologize to my guests immediately."
Richard's jaw dropped. "But Mother—"
"NOW."
Richard mumbled an apology like a scolded child, while Sarah looked like she'd swallowed a particularly bitter lemon.
As they settled at the main table, Margaret beamed at Vincent. "I must say, Vincent, your ability to secure the entire third floor for tonight's celebration is truly impressive. Even families twice our size have never managed such a feat!"
Vincent waved modestly. "It's nothing, really. When Elena's happiness is at stake, I'd move mountains."
"Such devotion!" Margaret clasped her hands together. "And I hear you're willing to invest in our family business? One hundred million, was it?"
"A small matter," Vincent nodded. "I actually discussed this with Elena before the banquet, though she seemed... hesitant."
Margaret's expression shifted, her eyes turning to Elena with growing coldness. "Hesitant? About what, exactly?"
Elena’s face turned pale. "Grandmother, it's... complicated."
"Uncomplicate it," Margaret's voice turned sharp as a blade.
Elena glanced around the table, seeing all eyes on her. She couldn't say this in front of everyone.
"Vincent didn't just want to discuss business," she said quietly. "He wanted... other things."
"Other things?" Margaret raised an eyebrow.
"He wanted to sleep with me," Elena blurted out, her face burning red.
The table fell silent.
Margaret stared at Elena for a long moment, then burst into incredulous laughter.
"And you refused? Do you realize what a blessing this is?"
Elena's mouth fell open. "Grandmother?"
"Vincent is offering you his affection AND helping our family! Most women would kill for such an opportunity!"
"But I'm married!" Elena protested.
"To a worthless street rat!" Margaret snapped. "Vincent is a real man—successful, powerful, generous!"
Sarah nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! You're being selfish and holier-than-thou, cousin. Put the family first for once!"
"It's disgusting how she puts her own prudish morals above everyone else's welfare," Richard added mockingly.
Elena looked around the table in horror. "Are you all insane? You want me to cheat on my husband?"
Margaret's eyes turned ice-cold. "If you don't agree to Vincent's proposal, you'll repay every cent you embezzled—today. All of it. Or I'll have you arrested for theft."
Elena felt the blood drain from her face.
That money was actually a dividend the company had long owed her, but her grandmother kept delaying the payment under various excuses.
When Karvel’s mother fell critically ill and urgently needed funds, Elena had no choice but to temporarily use that money.
She had planned to repay it as soon as she got through this difficult period—but she never expected her grandmother would use it as leverage to threaten her.
"Choose wisely, dear," Margaret sneered coldly. "Vincent's bed, or a prison cell. What's it going to be?"
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 243
Before anyone could stop him, Karvel walked toward the nurse with long, steady steps. His face was calm, but his mind was racing.“Please excuse me,” he said politely as he stopped in front of her.The nurse looked up, a little surprised. “Yes, sir? How may I help you?” she asked.Karvel leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I need to ask you something. It’s very important.”The nurse hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright,” she said. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”They both walked a few steps away from the waiting area, stopping near a quiet corner of the corridor where no one could hear them clearly.The nurse crossed her arms. “I don’t know what this is about,” she said carefully. “So please, go ahead.”Karvel took a deep breath. “I’m here about a case that happened some time ago,” he said slowly. “It involved Margret’s granddaughter and her classmate. The child who died.”The nurse’s face changed immediately. Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked around the hospital as if
CHAPTER 243
Before anyone could stop him, Karvel walked toward the nurse with long, steady steps. His face was calm, but his mind was racing.“Please excuse me,” he said politely as he stopped in front of her.The nurse looked up, a little surprised. “Yes, sir? How may I help you?” she asked.Karvel leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I need to ask you something. It’s very important.”The nurse hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright,” she said. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”They both walked a few steps away from the waiting area, stopping near a quiet corner of the corridor where no one could hear them clearly.The nurse crossed her arms. “I don’t know what this is about,” she said carefully. “So please, go ahead.”Karvel took a deep breath. “I’m here about a case that happened some time ago,” he said slowly. “It involved Margret’s granddaughter and her classmate. The child who died.”The nurse’s face changed immediately. Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked around the hospital as if
CHAPTER 241
Morrison walked toward Karvel’s office after the meeting. Most employees had returned to their desks. Some avoided eye contact as he passed, while others bowed their heads politely.He stopped in front of Karvel’s door and knocked once.“Come in,” Karvel’s voice said from inside.Morrison opened the door and stepped in. Karvel was standing by the window, his jacket already off, his sleeves rolled up. He looked tired, the kind of tired that came from carrying too many things alone.Morrison closed the door behind him.“How is Mrs. Elena’s father now?” Morrison asked gently. “Your wife mentioned he was sick.”Karvel turned slowly. “He’s feeling better now,” he replied. “The doctors say he’s out of danger.”“That’s good to hear,” Morrison said. “Illness can shake a family.”Karvel nodded. “Elena barely left the hospital for days. She was exhausted.”He walked back to his desk and sat down. Papers were stacked neatly, but he didn’t touch them. His eyes stayed fixed on one spot, like his t
CHAPTER 240
“This company runs on discipline and respect,” Karvel said as he walked beside Morrison. “If the workers start feeling unsafe or disrespected, everything will fall apart.”Morrison nodded slowly. “You’re right. Fear never brings loyalty. It only brings silence.”Karvel glanced at him. “And silence is dangerous.”They stopped in front of the large doors of the meeting hall. Karvel placed his hand on the handle but did not open it yet. His grip tightened, then loosened.“I don’t know how to fix this anymore,” he admitted quietly. “Every time I try to calm her, she feels attacked. Every time I stay quiet, she feels ignored.”Morrison studied his face carefully. “Sometimes people act out because they feel powerless.”Karvel frowned. “She isn’t powerless. She carries my name. She has a position here. People respect her.”“Yes,” Morrison replied calmly, “but power does not always remove fear. Sometimes it makes it worse. When someone feels they must always be strong, they don’t know how to
CHAPTER 239
Florida walked quickly toward Karvel the moment she saw him coming down the hallway. Her heels clicked on the polished floor, her face tight with worry and anger mixed together.“What happened?” she asked, stopping right in front of him. “Where have you been? You’ve been going up and down this company like a stranger. I told you before, if there is anything you want, anything at all, just tell me.”Karvel opened his mouth to reply, but before a single word could come out, Morrison stepped forward. He stood straight, his voice calm but firm.“Young Master,” Morrison said politely, “people are waiting for you. The meeting is about to start. You should come now and attend to the business matters.”Florida turned sharply to look at Morrison. Her eyes flashed with irritation.“Can’t you see I’m talking to my husband?” she snapped. “Step aside.”Morrison did not raise his voice, nor did he bow his head. He simply adjusted his glasses and answered, “You don’t need to be angry, Miss— or shoul
CHAPTER 238
“Mother, what happened to him?” Liza asked anxiously as Patricia walked into the living room.Patricia’s face looked tired and worried. Her eyes were red, like she had been crying for a long time.“I don’t really know what happened,” Patricia said softly. “All I know is that your father had an accident.”Liza’s heart began to beat fast. “How bad is it?” she asked.Patricia shook her head slowly. “They didn’t explain much on the phone. But I’ve already called Elena. She said she’s at the hospital now with her husband.”Liza did not waste another second. “Then let’s go there,” she said firmly.Patricia nodded.They both walked out of the house quickly and got into the car. Liza started the engine and drove off immediately. The road felt longer than usual. Every minute felt like an hour to her.Neither of them spoke during the drive. Patricia kept praying quietly, her lips moving softly. Liza held the steering wheel tightly, her mind filled with fear.Please be okay, Daddy, she thought.
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