Chapter 244

Roman Vale's eyes turned sharp as he listened to Aria Bennett's words.

He had never liked the Whitmores or the Valmonts, but now his disgust reached new heights.

"Disgusting," Roman sneered, his voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

The moment those words left his mouth, the crowd's gazes toward Vera Whitmore shifted.

"I always thought it was strange how a stepfather could dote on his stepdaughter like that."

"Right? He even abandoned his own flesh and blood."

"Tsk tsk, the Valmont family is really..."

Whispers spread like wildfire, each one cutting into Lucien Valmont like a knife.

Lucien's face darkened as countless memories flooded back—

Vera's extended visits to her parents' home.

Old Man Whitmore's excessive favoritism toward Celine.

That time he accidentally saw Vera and her stepfather in the study...

Slap!

Lucien suddenly struck himself across the face, wishing he could vanish into thin air.

"Dad!" Celine cried, grabbing his arm in panic. "Don't listen to her lies!"

"Get off!" Lucien shoved his daughter away, his glare fixed on Vera. "We'll settle this at home."

Vera paled under her husband's stare. "Lucien, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" Aria interjected with a mocking smile. "How you seduced your stepfather? Or how you hired killers?"

"You—!" Vera trembled with rage, then suddenly felt dizzy.

Unbeknownst to her, Aria had slipped something into her drink earlier.

"You little bitch!" Vera's eyes burned red as she pointed at Aria. "I should've killed you along with your mother!"

Gasps erupted through the crowd.

"She admitted it!"

"How horrifying..."

Aria's eyes gleamed with triumph as she fanned the flames. "Hear that? She just confessed to plotting my mother's murder—and now mine."

Turning to Old Man Whitmore, her voice cracked with emotion: "Grandfather, this is the stepdaughter you've spoiled for twenty years!"

The old man's face drained of color, his lips trembling wordlessly.

Miriam Whitmore stomped her foot in frustration. "Vera! Control yourself!"

But Vera was beyond reason now. "Why did Evelyn have to come back? She should've stayed dead!"

"And you!" She jabbed a finger at Aria. "You both deserve to die!"

Slap!

A resounding blow echoed through the room.

To everyone's shock, Old Man Whitmore broke free from Miriam's grip and struck Vera across the face.

"You viper!" The patriarch shook with fury. "After everything I've done for you!"

Then his eyes rolled back—he collapsed unconscious.

"Grandfather!"

"Dad!"

Chaos erupted.

Aria watched the pandemonium with cold amusement, a smirk playing on her lips.

This was only the beginning.

As Miriam struggled to support her unconscious husband, one thought consumed her:

This is serious trouble.