Richard put down his fork, and everyone at the table didn’t even dare to breathe.


    Only Yvette kept her head down, unaffectedly enjoying her meal


    This behavior showed ack of concern in Nellie’s and the other’s eyes, as Yvette heartlessly let Zachary take the heat for her without a second thought.


    Nellie silently cursed Yvette, who sat across from her countless times.


    Richard noticed it, too.


    “Mr. Zachary Chambers, since you don’t appreciate my gesture, I have nothing more to say. But your daughter is already in her twenties. Bullying her own sister is inexcusable. Everyone is here today, so she should exin herself. Can she really rely on the Chambers family to protect her forever when she enters society?” His voice was upset.


    Then, he stared at Yvette, indicating he wouldn’t let her go until she exined.


    Zachary’s anger red. He wondered what Richard was referring to by bullying. He knew Yvette wouldn’t waste her time bullying Winona. “You-”


    “Who are you?” Yvette interrupted, her voice calm and steady.


    Richard’s eyes widened in disbelief. ‘Does she really not know me: She must be doing this on purpose, he mused. Doesn’t she even know who her family invited? How is that possible? She’s clearly trying to insult me.


    Winona stood up and nervously nced at Yvette, looking scared. “Mr. Griffin, it wasn’t intentional. She just got back from the countryside and might not recognize you. Please don’t be upset.”


    Then, she nced at Yvette again, her voice bing softer. “Yvic, please apologize to him. Don’t make it difficult for Dad, okay? Please. Mr. Griffin’s health isn’t good, so please don’t anger him.”


    Winona spoke with heartfelt sincerity and thoughtfulness. She appeared filial and kind, deeply touching Victor and the others.


    It was clear to Nellie now that Winona was using Richard to pressure Yvette.


    She, too, stood up and joined in the conversation. “Yvette, Winona’s right. Even if you don’t know Mr. Griffin, he’s still an elder. Just apologize, okay?”


    Already displeased with Yvette, Victor desperately wanted Richard to teach her a lesson. “Yeah, Yvette, you were out of line. How could you disrespect Mr. Griffin?”


    Zeke relished in the drama as Yvette’s ingratitude led him to give up his concern for her.


    Winona was right. For now, Yvette was their mutual enemy.


    He nced at her with glee, curious to see if she would apologize in this situation, musing, Didn’t she always act tough? I wonder how she’ll maintain her bravado with so many against her.


    “Yvie, Mr. Griffin’s older than Dad. Surely, you understand the importance of respecting your elders. Just apologize already. Why make this more difficult for yourself?” Winona urged.


    Richard shed a smug smile. With so many backing him, he was sure Yvette would apologize to him. Then, he would


    humiliate her to vent his frustration


    So, the man stood there, waiting for Yvette to give in and apologize, with everyone’s condemning gazes focused on her.


    Yvette leaned back in her chair, casually crossed her arms and legs, and sipped her coffee. She lifted her cynical gaze and pressed her lips together, saying coldly, “You want me to apologize?


    Richard sneered. “As your elder, if you apologize to me, I’ll graciously forgive you. We’ve all been young and reckless. Just say sorry to me and Winona, and we can move past this.”


    Winona struggled to contain the excitement bubbling up inside her. She could already picture Yvette bowing her head, humbly apologizing.


    Yvette scoffed, her expression turning frosty. She couldn’t remember thest time someone had told her such a joke.


    “Do you really think you’re worthy of my apology? A lot of people expect me to apologize, but…” she paused, a dangerous glint in her eyes.


    The woman continued, “Most of them are dead now. If you’re willing, I wouldn’t mind sending you their way.”


    The others were stunned by the wild intensity in her eyes, briefly convinced that she was not lying and had actually taken at life.


    Richard was so furious that his hands trembled. He pointed at Yvette while clutching his heart, looking like he was about to faint.


    Seeing this, the two people with him quickly produced medicine bottles from their pockets, supported him, and fed him at few white pills.


    Richard had a severe heart condition and almost always carried heart medication with him.


    The two of them trembled with fear. If anything happened to Richard, they would lose their backing in Art Association.


    Winona rushed over to him, helping him catch his breath while ring at Yvette, dropping her niceties act


    Zachary massaged his temples, feeling an iing headache. He mused, ‘Yvette is determined to drive Richard crazy. It’s also bad news for us if Richard suffers a mishap here.’


    Neither Victor, Zeke, nor Nellie expected Richard to be so upset by Yvette. They gathered around the man with concern while Zachary remained by Yvette’s side.


    Once Richard calmed down, he red at Yvette, wanting to tear her apart.


    He couldn’t believe that she not only refused to apologize but also mocked him, saying she could end his life.


    Yvette stood upzily, ncing at him and the others opposite her.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Her expression remained unchanged in response to their hostile res as if she were looking at a crowd of the dead


    She turned to the side and raised a brow at Zachary. “Are we leaving or not?”


    Zachary paused. He caught Yvette’s gaze and understood what she meant. The choice was more than whether to leave.


    Leaving would mean choosing Yvette while staying behind would mean giving up on Yvette in her eyes. Zachary smiled biuerly.


    He mused. If that happens, she won’t attend the event tomorrow


    Zachary nced at Nellie and Winona, seeing the hope and anticipation in their eyes.


    Yvette nced at Zachary, who seemed torn and indecisive, with irritation flickering in her eyes. She turned to leave.


    Zachary gritted his teeth, decided, and looked at Yvette with determination. “Yvette, let’s go. Let’s head home together,” he said.


    The next moment, Nellie slumped onto the bench, her eyes red and frightening, showing signs of madness. Deep down, she still held onto a sliver of hope.


    Even if he didn’t choose me, he can’t possibly leave Zeke and Winona behind, can he? They are his biological kids, too. Are they not more important than Yvette, who just returned to the family? she sobbed inwardly.


    Meanwhile, Winona didn’t react strongly, but the trembling in her left hand revealed her inner turmoil.