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Zacharias was held back, and with his mother and sister tugging at him, he couldn’t very well struggle in front of everyone. For a moment, he was stuck in an awkward stalemate.
Selina’s lips curled in a mocking smile. She flicked her gaze toward one side, and right on cue, a sharp female voice rang out clear across the hall. “What’s there to pity her for? She’s the one flaunting herself all day long, strutting around like a temptress. Of course, street thugs would target her–no wonder she lost her womb!
“If I were her, I’d be too ashamed to show my face, but she’s shameless, arriving late just to make a grand entrance!”
Four years ago, when Anneliese’s scandal had rocked the city, the Whites had kept her away from every banquet and gala since. She herself had hidden out of sight, unwilling to drag Zacharias down with her. Though she was the greatest victim, she had been forced to live with shame, as if the fault had been hers alone.
And wasn’t that exactly what Selina wanted? To ruin her, to brand her as a stain the White family would rather forget, so Selina could keep basking in the role of their one and only cherished daughter.
Anneliese’s lips curved in a cold, cutting smile. She picked up a glass of champagne from the towering display and strode straight toward Sonya White–one of Selina’s so–called “best friends,” who had long delighted in mocking her.
Sonya shrank back when she saw the chill in Anneliese’s eyes, but remembering it was Melanie’s birthday banquet, she lifted her chin again. Surely Anneliese wouldn’t dare cause a scene. “Anneliese, I was only speaking the truth, you–ah!”
The champagne tipped and spilled down from the crown of her head, soaking her hair and face in a sticky cascade. Sonya shrieked, clawing at her dripping face as the hall erupted in commotion.
“Enough! Anneliese, what are you doing?” Perseus stormed down the stairs, grabbing her wrist.
Selina swept in to comfort Sonya, her voice gentle, her posture perfect. “Sonya, are you all right? Anne, quickly apologize to her. Let’s help her upstairs to clean up.” She looked every bit the considerate elder sister smoothing things over.
Timothy, Melanie, and Christopher came hurrying as well. The lights in the hall blazed brighter, and every eye turned on Anneliese with disapproval.
She stood alone in the center, smiling still, though the smile never reached her eyes–like a
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9:38 Thu, Sep 11
Chapter 170 Truths in Champagne
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rose blooming with thorns. She yanked free of Perseus‘ grip, clapped her hands sharply, and raised her voice. “Well, isn’t this rich.
“When I was being slandered and spat on just now, your whole family stood by on the stairs, enjoying the show. But the moment I rinse a filthy mouth, suddenly you can’t stay calm? This is how you treat your own daughter? Your own sister?”
Her biting words struck home. The White family’s faces darkened, stung by the truth she laid bare. Even the guests exchanged uneasy looks. Many of them had said less–than–kind things earlier, but not one White had spoken up for her. To treat one’s own flesh and blood so coldly was ugly to watch.
Perseus‘ face flushed with anger, but he forced a measured tone. “Anne, you’re the host tonight. How could you stoop to a guest’s level? We only lectured you so you’d know how to conduct yourself.”
Christopher added, “Just apologize to Sonya and let it end here. Let’s not ruin Mother’s birthday.”
Sonya collapsed against Selina, weeping pitifully. “It’s fine, really. I was the one who spoke out of turn. I’ll never dare to tell the truth again…”
Together, Perseus and Christopher looked the picture of protective brothers, as if asking Anneliese to apologize was simply smoothing over her rashness. Sonya’s tearful self–blame only painted Anneliese as unreasonable and cruel. Disapproving stares rained down on her from all sides.
Anneliese lowered her eyes, her smile edged with scorn. Then she lifted her gaze, voice clear and cutting. “Fine. If we’re speaking truths, then let me share one. Sonya, you had an abortion just last week. Instead of staying home to recover, you came here to wag your tongue. You really do have energy to spare.”
Monroe felt guilty about what had happened to her in Riverton, so upon returning, he had slipped her information free of charge–one of those tips being Sonya’s abortion.
Sonya’s eyes flew wide in horror, her hands instinctively clutching her stomach. “You’re lying! I didn’t!” she screeched, glaring at Anneliese. But her panicked expression and guilty reflex betrayed her completely.
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