Chapter 243

Having spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the entertainment industry in her past life, Aria Bennett had seen all kinds of scheming and deceit.

Vera Whitmore's petty schemes were transparent to her at a glance.

Since the woman had come looking for trouble, Aria wasn’t about to hold back.

"Excuse me, ma'am, do I know you?" Aria tilted her head, feigning confusion.

Vera forced a saccharine smile. "I'm your aunt—your mother's own sister."

She deliberately raised her voice. "You can deny me, but surely you won't deny your own grandfather?"

Aria gave her a once-over before bursting into laughter. "With a face like that, you dare claim kinship?"

Her gaze shifted to Edgar Whitmore beside her. "My grandfather passed away long ago. My mother's last name is Bennett. What does that have to do with the Whitmores?"

Edgar's face darkened instantly.

"Is this the fine daughter Evelyn Bennett raised?" he thundered. "Cursing your elders—such insolence!"

Aria arched a brow disdainfully. "My mother always said she had a mother but no father to speak of. And you, old man, have the nerve to lecture me about respect?"

"No wonder Vera and her daughter are so shameless—it runs in the family!"

Suddenly, she gasped in mock realization. "Wait... could it be that you and your daughter have some unspeakable relationship?"

"After all, Vera had no qualms seducing another woman's fiancé. What's seducing her own stepfather compared to that?"

"I heard you two walk around arm in arm, closer than most fathers and daughters."

Aria dramatically covered her mouth. "Oh my! Is Celine Valmont your illegitimate child?"

"No wonder you're handing the Whitmore Group to her—she carries your blood, even if her origins are... questionable."

Her words detonated like a bomb among the onlookers.

Whispers erupted instantly, and the crowd's gazes toward the Whitmores shifted with suspicion.

Edgar trembled with rage. "You—you vile creature! How dare you slander your elders!"

Vera paled. "You little bitch! How dare you spread such lies!"

Aria smirked. "Struck a nerve, did I?"

"When you drove my mother out of the family all those years ago... was it because she discovered your dirty secret?"

She turned to the crowd, raising her voice. "Tell me, what kind of father treats his own daughter like that?"

Vera completely lost control, lunging at Aria with claws bared. "I'll rip your lying mouth apart!"

Before she could get close, several security guards intercepted her.

Roman Vale stepped forward, his expression icy. "The Whitmores' despicable behavior isn't welcome here at our auction house."

"Leave. Now."

Edgar swayed, his vision darkening from sheer humiliation.

Never in his life had he been so thoroughly disgraced!