Chapter 5

Blair's eyes were mocking, looking at Elodie as if she were watching a clown.

Her slender fingers picked up the wine bottle sitting nearby and smashed it down on Elodie's head without hesitation.

A piercing scream rang out as blood mixed with red wine flowed down Elodie's forehead.

The sharp pain hit her. She looked up in complete disarray, unable to believe what just happened.

How dare Blair attack her in front of so many people!

"Elodie, you really underestimate me."

Blair's patience had run out, her eyes filled with disgust.

"I would never use such a childish move as pushing someone."

"This is the second time you've provoked me. I don't want there to be a third."

Meeting Blair's dark eyes, Elodie shivered and didn't dare say anything more.

The atmosphere dropped to freezing point, dead silent.

"What's going on here?" Daphne's displeased voice came through.

Walking to the front of the crowd and seeing this scene, her face looked even worse.

Looking at Blair, she scolded without asking for an explanation: "Blair, is this how you were raised?"

In Daphne's mind, her daughter-in-law should be gentle and obedient.

Not like Blair—independent and somewhat of an eyesore.

She pressed on: "No matter what, Ms. Brown is your sister."

"You shouldn't do such shameful things in public."

Blair turned her head toward Daphne and pretended to be surprised as she shot back: "How come I didn't know that a mistress's daughter could be called my sister?"

"Is this how Mrs. Hamilton was raised?"

"Forgive me for being blunt, but this is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but laugh out loud, making Daphne's face look even worse.

She threatened: "If this is how the Brown family raises their children, I'll have to reconsider this marriage alliance."

Michael, who had just arrived, heard this and immediately panicked.

He was counting on connecting with the Hamilton family to elevate the Brown family into the top tier.

Michael roared at Blair in anger: "You rebellious girl, causing trouble every single day!"

"Apologize to Elodie and Mrs. Hamilton right now."

He turned to Daphne with a flattering expression.

"Mrs. Hamilton, don't worry. I'll definitely teach her a lesson when we get home."

Blair admitted openly: "It's true I wasn't raised properly by my father."

"But Arthur just happens to like me this way."

Michael's face turned red and he shut his mouth.

Daphne, feeling challenged, looked grim.

A hint of disdain flashed in Elodie's eyes.

Last night, the reporter she arranged had sent over photos taken while following Arthur these past two days—photos so explicit they made even her blush.

Before coming to the party, she had sent these photos to a famous gossip account.

She'd spent a lot of money buying a trending topic spot, making sure they'd release it tonight.

Elodie put on a weak act: "Blair, I just saw a trending topic about Arthur with another woman."

"Arthur likes you so much, this must be a misunderstanding."

Hearing Elodie say this, many people took out their phones to check.

Some man in the crowd let out a suggestive laugh.

"Mr. Arthur Hamilton is quite the lucky guy."

A flash of coldness crossed Blair's eyes, and an unpleasant feeling rose in her heart.

She took out her phone. The trending news at the top was a report about Arthur having a secret meeting with a female celebrity.

Daphne spoke calmly: "It's normal for men to like playing around before they're married."

"As Arthur's future fiancée, you should learn to be more understanding."

Elodie's eyes flickered with malice, but her voice was soft and gentle as she agreed: "Mrs. Hamilton is right."

"We women should be good helpers to our husbands."

It would be best if Blair made a scene and called off the engagement with the Hamilton family.

That way, everyone in Harmony City would know what a shrew she was and she'd become everyone's laughingstock.

Blair clicked into the report and paused when she saw the photos.

A man and woman embracing and kissing in a suggestive pose.

But this man wasn't the Arthur she knew at all.

Then who was the man she had slept with?

Seeing Blair's silence, Daphne thought she was scared.

She lifted her head arrogantly and continued: "If you want to marry into the Hamilton family, you need to fix your behavior."

"The Hamilton family has strict rules. If you can't do it, then you can't marry Arthur!"

"People who don't know better might think you run the Hamilton family."

A calm, low voice rang out, and everyone looked over in unison.

Rupert wore a custom-tailored suit that made his frame look straight and tall.

His handsome face showed a hint of coldness, and his presence gave off an oppressive feeling.

He strode over with his long legs.

Daphne's face turned ugly: "Rupert, is this how you treat your elders?"

Usually at these parties, Rupert would just make a brief appearance and leave.

She didn't expect Rupert to actually step forward and speak up for Blair.

Rupert ignored her and walked up to Blair, gentlemanly extending his right hand.

"Let me introduce myself, Miss York. I'm Rupert."

Blair looked at Rupert, not expecting him to be the legendary Rupert with his supposed hatred of women.

After a moment of silence, she took Rupert's hand and spoke meaningfully.

"Mr. Hamilton, nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you."

She emphasized her words, her fingertip tracing a line in Rupert's palm.

Everyone's eyes locked onto their touching hands, showing shocked expressions.

Had Rupert's hatred of women been cured?

Elodie couldn't help but raise her voice: "Mr. Rupert Hamilton!"

Meeting Rupert's deep eyes, a blush appeared on her face.

She spoke, trying to stay calm: "Mr. Rupert Hamilton, Blair is Mr. Arthur Hamilton's fiancée."

"It's not appropriate for you to interfere when Mrs. Daphne Hamilton is disciplining her future daughter-in-law, is it?"

Elodie stubbornly lifted her head, trying to get Rupert's attention.

Rupert didn't spare Elodie a single glance and chuckled softly.

He spoke deliberately: "The Hamilton family and the Brown family are having a marriage alliance."

"But who said it was with Arthur?"

Elodie's mind was in turmoil. What did Rupert mean by that?

Rupert raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over everyone. No one dared meet his eyes.

He stood behind Blair in a commanding posture.

Naturally taking Blair's hand, his thin lips parted: "This is my fiancée, Blair."

"Rupert! Have you lost your mind! Blair is Arthur's fiancée!"