Chapter 44 The Illegitimate Child Appears at the Banquet
Aurora was also quite shocked.
She never thought about coveting the Robinson family's wealth; she just wanted the title of the Robinson family's adopted daughter to upset Emily and give Dean a blow.
With three percent of the shares, she instantly became a wealthy woman.
Ashley didn't know about this in advance either and looked at Kevin in surprise. When it came to major decisions, Ashley always listened to Kevin.
She also believed that Kevin had a deeper reason for making this decision.
Although Ashley was surprised, she didn't show it on her face and kept smiling.
Emily was insanely jealous and couldn't help but blurt out, "Kevin must be crazy, giving three percent of the shares as a dowry to an adopted daughter they just recognized halfway."
In contrast, Emily, the illegitimate daughter of the Harris family, not only couldn't be seen in public but also had no right to share in the Harris family’s wealth.
Percy was also here today. Emily glanced at Percy several times, but he didn't look back.
Percy was accompanied by his youngest daughter, Karen. When Karen made her entrance, she stood firmly in the center, a true socialite.
Emily was dying of jealousy; all that glory should have been hers.
The more she thought about it, the more the seeds of hatred in Emily's heart grew like weeds.
Daniel looked at Aurora, who was the center of attention on stage, and regretted it deeply.
He had let go of a gem and married a woman who was inferior to Aurora in every way.
He must have been out of his mind back then.
Daniel's eyes were fixed on Aurora, and at that moment, a profound change occurred in his heart.
He secretly vowed that he must win Aurora.
Nicole and Dean didn't look any better.
Dean's regret was beyond words.
He now blamed Nicole and Emily; if it weren't for them, he wouldn't have severed ties with Aurora.
Everyone in the room envied Aurora, except for Todd in the second-floor room, who sneered. "Boss, this is truly cunning. They just recognized Miss White as an adopted daughter and already set you up."
The Robinson family gave three percent of the shares as a dowry. How could John's betrothal gift be any less?
John calmly sipped his coffee and said, "No matter, dowry or betrothal gift, it's all Aurora's personal assets."
Todd realized and gave a thumbs up. "Boss, brilliant!"
In the hall, after introducing Aurora, Kevin had Ashley take her to meet the socialites and wealthy ladies.
With the Robinson family valuing Aurora so highly, who would dare to look down on her?
Naturally, everyone fawned over Aurora.
Aurora had attended company parties before and was well-versed in banquet etiquette. Her elegant demeanor made Ashley fond of her, and the other wealthy ladies praised Ashley for her good fortune.
Wasn't Mr. Lewis supposed to be here?
Aurora looked around the hall several times but didn't see him. Instead, she saw Kevin heading upstairs.
Could Mr. Lewis be upstairs?
Aurora thought of Mr. Lewis's terrifying face; indeed, such an occasion was not suitable for him to appear.
Leo, who was originally recuperating in the hospital, also came in a wheelchair. The woman he fancied was now recognized by his parents as their adopted daughter, making her his god-sister.
Aurora was three years older than Leo, so naturally, he had to call her sister.
Leo was extremely frustrated.
The moment Aurora made her entrance, Leo was even more frustrated.
, How did such a beautiful woman become his god-sister?
Leo drank alone in a corner, and a young man approached with a grin. "Mr. Leo Robinson, your god-sister is truly stunning. Help me out and introduce us, will you?"
"Get lost." Leo didn't give him any face. "You think you can marry Aurora? I know exactly what kind of person you are. To be her husband, you're not qualified."
Leo had many drinking buddies and often hung out in nightclubs, so he knew the character of every young rich man.
Leo didn't even realize that he had instinctively taken on the protective role of a little brother, shielding Aurora.
The young man laughed awkwardly. "I promise if I marry your sister, I'll settle down and be devoted."
"Get lost, get lost, we're all men here, so don't give me that crap." Leo waved his hand impatiently.
After dismissing one, another came.
Throughout the banquet, Leo was busy fending off wealthy young men interested in Aurora.
Looking around, Leo felt that no one in their social circle was worthy of Aurora.
Meanwhile, Ashley was introducing Aurora to Percy's wife.
"Mrs. Harris," Aurora greeted with a smile.
Aurora hadn't forgotten about Percy's attempt to hire someone to kill her. She would settle that score properly.
Mrs. Harris, being from a military family, had an air of authority about her. "Miss White, you are truly beautiful and graceful. Ashley, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter."
Ashley couldn't stop smiling and said, "It's fate. The moment I saw Aurora, I felt an inexplicable closeness, as if we were mother and daughter in a past life."
"I see that Miss White has an excellent face; her future wealth is immeasurable," Mrs. Harris said with a smile, calling her daughter over, "Karen, come and greet Aurora."
Mrs. Harris was intentionally fostering a friendship between Aurora and Karen.
Karen, poised and sweet, greeted, "Hello, Aurora."
Aurora smiled and nodded, catching a glimpse of Emily and Nicole approaching.
These two really had thick skin.
"Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Harris," Nicole greeted with a smile, taking the initiative.
As the host, Ashley was still somewhat polite to Nicole. "Mrs. White."
Mrs. Harris, however, didn't even glance at Nicole. She was likely well aware of Nicole and Percy's affair.
Nicole acted as if she didn't notice the cold reception and tried to take Aurora's hand, but Aurora subtly avoided her.
Nicole's face turned a bit awkward, but thanks to her thick skin, she managed to keep smiling and said earnestly, "Aurora, as your mother, I'm genuinely happy to see you today . From now on, you must listen to Mrs. Robinson's guidance and not be as willful and reckless as you were in the White family, staying out all night."
Realizing she might have said too much, Nicole quickly added with a smile, "Look at me, I'm so happy I don't even know what I'm saying."
Aurora sneered inwardly. Nicole knew exactly what she was saying; she was very clever. That one sentence was enough.
Nicole was deliberately smearing her, telling others how undisciplined and chaotic her private life was in the White family.
Ashley was displeased, and her face darkened. "Aurora, I heard that the White family severed ties with you not long ago. How come there's suddenly a mother?"
Aurora glanced at Nicole and sneered. "My biological mother passed away long ago, and I moved out of the White family to work independently very early on. I really don't know in what capacity this Mrs. White is saying these things."
She had already severed ties with Dean, so what did a stepmother count for?
The implication was that Nicole was not qualified to give Aurora such advice.
And as for the slanderous remarks, who in this circle of wealthy ladies wasn't extremely shrewd? Would they believe such things?
Mrs. Harris interjected, "Miss White just said she moved out of the White family to work very early on. I heard the White family is on the verge of bankruptcy, but it shouldn't be so bad that Miss White had to start working early."
Mrs. Harris' words were full of implications.
There were very few heiresses from wealthy families who had to start working early; it was a joke.
Emily had always lived a pampered life, and before this, almost no one in the circle knew Aurora or that the White family had an eldest daughter.
And who didn't know that Nicole was a stepmother?
With the stepmother's arrival, the true eldest daughter of the White family had to go out and work early, becoming independent.
Mrs. Harris' light remark immediately put Nicole in the spotlight of gossip.
The image of the evil stepmother was instantly established.
Aurora couldn't help but admire her; she really needed to learn from Mrs. Harris.
The air was thick with tension, and many wealthy ladies and socialites gathered to watch the drama.
Nicole's face turned red, and Emily hurriedly spoke up for her, "My mom did it to train my sister."
Mrs. Harris snorted. "Mrs. White, you're really unfair, letting your stepdaughter go out to train while your own daughter enjoys life at home. They're both your daughters; this is not fair at all."
Mrs. Harris' words were sharp, clearly targeting Nicole.
Nicole was seething inside but couldn't find the words to respond.
Seeing the situation turn bad, Emily tried to shift the focus to Aurora and said, "Aurora, now that you're valued by the Robinson family, you won't forget the White family's kindness, right? Even if my mom didn't do much for you, she worked hard."
Aurora smiled sweetly. "Yes, I've always respected Aunt Clark and am especially grateful for her efforts in arranging my marriage. It's just a pity that Mr. Ford didn't fancy me, wasting Aunt Clark's efforts."
Who couldn't act?
Everyone in the circle knew that the youngest son of the Ford family was a fool.
No one knew about Aurora's proposed marriage with the Ford family, but when Aurora mentioned it, Ashley was the first to get angry.
"Mrs. White, is this how you treated Aurora? Trying to marry her off to someone with a disability? I had heard that Mrs. White was kind and generous, but it seems the rumors were wrong."
Mrs. Harris also expressed her indignation, "Mrs. White, your daughter married into the Taylor family, while you tried to marry your stepdaughter to a fool. Isn't that bullying? Miss White is truly pitiful."
"Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Harris, it's all a misunderstanding. The Ford family approached us..." Nicole tried to explain but couldn't. The facts were there, and she couldn't drag Dean into it, as that would only make them a bigger laughingstock.
Nicole wasn't stupid; she knew why Mrs. Harris was targeting her.
Nicole wanted to push the blame onto the Ford family, but Mrs. Ford's voice suddenly came from behind.
"It was you who approached our Ford family, recommending Aurora to marry my son. Don't twist the facts."
Mrs. Ford exposed Nicole, making her the target of everyone's criticism.
Nicole's status in the circle of wealthy ladies was already low, and as a stepmother, she usually had to curry favor with these ladies. Today, she just wanted to drag Aurora down and smear her, but she ended up offending three prominent ladies.
She probably wouldn't be able to stay in this circle anymore.
At that moment, a pink-cheeked boy suddenly rushed into the hall, hugged Aurora's leg, and shouted, "Mommy, I finally found you."
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