Chapter 450 Joining the Blanchet Family
Her bitter hatred boiled within her, leaving her no choice but to blurt out, "You brute, you shameless thug, relying solely on your status as the son of the prestigious Rodriguez family." Just yesterday, Jeremy had said that was all she would think of him. He figured that she couldn't possibly see the care he had for her anymore. It didn't matter anymore. Her hate for him was deep-seated; she couldn't understand him. Lawrence carefully placed her on the ground, straightening her clothes with a gentle touch as a lover would, his gaze tender yet his throat tightening with coldness. "Just so you're aware. Even if I'm unpredictable, you'll be alone, Winnie. You're the one who got involved with me!" Their conversation and rough interaction were over. He jumped out the window, his demeanor arrogant and insensitive. Winnie trembled, cursing him silently in her mind over and over, 'Monster.' After a long while, she wiped away the tears from her face, took a deep breath, and emerged trembling, her face as pale as death. Dinner at the Blanchet family had ended, the living room abuzz with conversation. Seizing the moment, Carlos spoke to the patriarch, "Taking advantage of the family dinner tonight, I want to announce that in a few days, Winnie will be joining the Blanchet family business. Her outstanding resume makes her an excellent addition to our legacy..." As his words fell, the room's atmosphere shifted. Winnie walked in, instantly the focus of everyone's eyes. Rock approached her asking with concern, "What took you so long?" His probing gaze lingered on the corner of Winnie's lips, pausing briefly. Lawrence had also stepped out earlier to make a call. "I felt a bit queasy," Winnie muttered, shooting a cold glance as the man stood by Ishara's side, both of them looking like the perfect match. He didn't look her way, as if the forced encounter in the restroom had never occurred. Truly despicable that he was able to switch gears with ease. Ishara observed Winnie, her attention on the freshly applied lipstick. Women notice these details. Although Lawrence had not returned from the restroom, his attractive thin lips bore a hint of her scent, which Ishara detected. Seeing Winnie's lips at that moment, Ishara tightly gripped her handkerchief, speculating with cold eyes. She was certain that Winnie must have seduced Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Blanchet Sr. pondered deeply, asking, "Carlos, are you sure about letting Winnie into the Blanchet fold?" "Father," Patrick voiced from his wheelchair. "Winnie has only just returned home. She's of illegitimate birth. To have her as part of the succession plan... isn't this trust a bit too weighty? What do you think, sister and brother-in-law?" Winnie's gaze snapped to Patrick, one of the Blanchet family members that she hadn't spoken a word to today—and yet he here was blatantly challenging her. Sydney was momentarily stunned; she rarely involved herself in corporate affairs, and her husband, Jasper, was even less so, being an in-law. Before Sydney could speak up, her daughter, Angela, scoffed, "Uncle's not wrong. Our branch of the family definitely opposes Winnie's involvement. Why should she? Ishara hasn't even been considered yet. There's an order to these things, right? Mom!" "Oh, sure, the eldest keeps praising Winnie's excellence, but we have no idea if that's even true," Sydney remarked, glancing over at the family matriarch for approval. Ishara inwardly smirked but feigned innocence. "Grandfather, I don't care about being the successor. But since everyone's against it, there might still be doubts about Winnie's capabilities..." Winnie sneered silently. Ishara was playing her manipulative games again, even in front of Lawrence. However, it wasn't the time for self-praise. Standing up calmly, she said, "Grandfather, whether I join the company or not, I'll be fine. I just don't want to let Dad down. If everyone's worried, I can start as an intern, subjected to the same assessments as any other employee. Would that be acceptable?" Ishara's composure slipped slightly. Angela pointed at Winnie, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Nice words. 'Not wanting to disappoint uncle? Isn't it all for seizing the Blanchet inheritance? Give up the fantasy. You, an illegitimate child with a fiancé from Lymington of all places, hardly have the standing to be part of the Blanchet legacy!" Lawrence frowned, but the mention of fiancé made him purse his lips, holding back from stepping forward. Some onlookers turned to Rock and Winnie, wrapped up in the spectacle. Rock remained composed, but a coldness tinged his eyes. Despite being born with every advantage, he felt powerless to help Winnie. Lawrence's lazy, superior coldness especially stung, as if being slapped across the face. His fists clenched. Winnie patted his arm gently, stepping forward to coolly counter Angela, "Speak of me, not Mr. Rock. His family is well-educated. Angela, your choice of words is quite a disservice to the dignity of our family. You'd be wise not to parade around as a Blanchet, or with your manners, people will only marvel at our family values," she declared emphatically, causing those who had sneered at Rock to avert their gazes. "Oh, you!" Angela stomped her foot in frustration, incensed by Winnie's direct jab, delivered right in front of everyone. Meanwhile, even Madam Blanchet stood by with a stern face, offering no words in her defense. "Heh." Melanie chuckled softly from the corner, drawing a frosty glare from Angela. With a smile, Ishara looked up and teased, "Lawrence, look how Winnie clings to Mr. Rock's sleeve. She must really love her fiancé." Her words struck a nerve, as Lawrence's face darkened instantly. "Enough!" Mr. Blanchet Sr. interjected, observing Winnie from his seat of authority. Someone of her caliber—a legitimate heir with questionable lineage—was hard to ignore. Her recent defense of Rock had cleverly brought the Blanchet family values into question, hinting that excluding her might tarnish their esteemed reputation. He pondered a resolution. "Carlos, place Winnie in the ST company as an intern. If she doesn't meet the assessment standards, she'll be let go." With a grimace, Carlos responded, "ST is just a tiny subsidiary of the Blanchet family..." "Carlos, it's the smaller companies that mold character. Besides, with the Rodriguez family holding a stake in ST, it's not exactly small," countered Patrick, speaking up again. Outnumbered, Carlos realized the further argument was futile. Winnie understood the underlying motive—to suppress her. She narrowed her eyes subtly, studying Patrick. Seated in his wheelchair, he exuded a brooding presence, a man of few words. Yet when he spoke, it was always to thwart her integration into the company. Without direct control over the Blanchet family affairs, she wondered why was he so opposed to her. She also noticed the glances exchanged between him and Ishara—a seemingly fond, uncle-niece bond there. Reflecting on Ishara's sickly pallor, so akin to Patrick's somber expression—she stopped herself. This was her father they were talking about; some things were better left unthought. "So it's settled," Carlos reluctantly agreed, leaning in to whisper to Winnie, "I'm sorry you have to go through this, Winnie." "Dad, someone as outstanding as Winnie will shine anywhere she goes," Ishara chimed in sweetly.
Having always had a soft spot for her, Madam Blanchet fondly chided, "Oh Ishara, you're just too kind for your own good, encouraging Winnie like that. Sometimes I swear you don't have a wicked bone in your body." "Yeah, Ishara, she's after the heir's position. For once, could you stop being such a sweetheart?" Angela's voice was one of exasperated affection. Ishara gave a light cough and flashed an innocent smile. "It's just the way I am. Hey, Lawrence, you don't think I'm too I, do you?" "Not at all. It's nice," Lawrence said, casting a glance at Winnie. "If Lawrence likes it, then I'm happy," Ishara said, blushing. Winnie, listening in, felt nauseated by the sugary exchange and let out a sharp laugh. At that moment, a snide chuckle came from a corner. Turning, she saw Melanie—a nod acknowledging her. Winnie brought her attention back to Ishara, perplexed. She hadn't staked a claim on the Blanchet family tonight. Perhaps she considered the company too insignificant, or maybe she was playing a longer game. Either way, Winnie sensed Ishara was up to something; she wouldn't sit back and let her waltz into the company without a fight.
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