Chapter 211
"You think it's me?" Rachel said, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Then tell me, how did I make you dress like this? Did I come to your house and force you?"
"It's in the dress shop!" Mandy spat through clenched teeth.
Rachel's smile widened. "Oh? At the dress shop? I remember being there, but I never told you to dress like this."
"It was you and that Ella, saying those dresses paired with fur and crocodile skin handbags looked great, so I..."
Rachel held her stomach and burst out laughing, joined by John, Joseph, and Robert. Even Daphne shook her head mockingly.
Michael, Ethan, and Monica were the only ones who remained serious. Michael wearily massaged his temples, Monica kept her head down in silence, and Ethan felt a deep sense of embarrassment over his daughter's foolishness, wishing he could disappear.
"What are you laughing at?" Mandy glared angrily at Rachel and the others, clenching her palms.
John wiped his face, aching from laughter. "Nothing, we're just laughing because we've never seen anyone as stupid as you. Rachel makes a casual comment, and you take it seriously. Are you out of your mind?"
"If she had any sense, she wouldn't be dressed like this," Robert said casually, but there was a cold glint in his eyes.
Mandy trembled all over.
Michael's hand on her shoulder tightened a bit. "Enough, Mandy."
"Michael, they're all badmouthing me, and instead of helping, you're saying I'm overreacting?" Mandy stared at him with wide, resentful eyes, while Ethan looked equally displeased.
Michael pursed his thin lips, about to speak.
Rachel suddenly spoke up, "Miss Brown, I did say at the dress shop with Ella that those dresses paired with fur and crocodile skin handbags looked great, but I didn't suggest you wear them. We don't get along, so why would I help you? But I didn't expect you to not only eavesdrop on our conversation but actually dress like that and come to the banquet."
"Stop talking nonsense. You were speaking so loudly with Ella, clearly for me to hear. You set a trap for me to fall into," Mandy said through gritted teeth.
Joseph rolled his eyes. "Got any proof? Without it, you're just talking nonsense. You're just being stupid, doing whatever others say, and then blaming them."
"You're slandering me!" Mandy gritted her teeth in anger.
"Enough!" Daphne interrupted Mandy with a frown. "This is my place. If you don't want to behave, go back to the Brown family. Escort Miss Brown and Mr. Brown out. My banquet doesn't welcome them."
Several waiters came over, signaling Ethan and Mandy to leave.
Although Ethan was angry, he didn't want to embarrass himself here any longer. He suppressed his emotions. "Then I won't disturb Mrs. Jone any longer. Mandy, let's go."
"Dad!" Mandy was still reluctant.
Ethan grabbed her arm, pulling her out of Michael's embrace, glared at Michael, and forcibly took her away.
If they didn't leave now, it would only be more embarrassing.
"Damn! They just left like that, without even apologizing to Rachel," John pouted.
Rachel chuckled. "I don't care about their apology. Their reputation is already ruined tonight. There will definitely be another round of jokes online tomorrow."
"True," John laughed gloatingly.
Michael glanced at him, frowned, but said nothing.
"You're a socialite from the Turner family, right?" Daphne suddenly turned her gaze to Monica.
Monica shrank back and looked up. "Yes. Maddox Turner is my father."
"You're loyal, but not very bright. You're being used and still think you're in the right," Daphne remarked casually.
John and Joseph snickered again.
Monica's face turned red with shame. Being publicly called stupid by a respected elder was more humiliating than anything else.
"You should leave too. I didn't invite the Turner family. Since you came with Mandy, you should leave with them," Daphne waved her hand.
Monica nodded repeatedly, lowered her head, and quickly walked towards the banquet door. She avoided eye contact with the many curious stares. Tonight's events made her infamous, and tomorrow the gossip would be all about her.
"They're all gone; we should go too," John said, resting his hands behind his head.
Robert looked at Rachel's dress. "Rachel's dress is stained with red wine. She should go back and change."
"I have something to do. I need to talk to someone later," Joseph sighed.
John happily patted his shoulder. "Take your time talking; you can chat as late as you want."
He wished Joseph would never come near Rachel. He knew Joseph had feelings for her. Rachel already had him and Robert; she didn't need anyone else.
Joseph chuckled, shrugged off John's hand, greeted them, and turned to the lounge to talk to someone.
"Mrs. Jone, it's getting late, we should go too. I'm sorry about tonight; it ruined your banquet," Rachel said apologetically.
Daphne smiled. "Honestly, I was really angry at first, but seeing how calm you are, I have to say I admire you. Go ahead; be careful on the way."
"Thank you." Rachel shook her hand and left with John and Robert.
As she passed Michael, she didn't even look at him, as if he didn't exist.
Michael felt an emptiness inside and instinctively reached out to hold her, but in the end, he didn't have the courage to touch her.
Even as she disappeared, he couldn't reach her.
Finally, Michael lowered his head, clenched his fists, and let his hands drop.
Daphne saw this and smiled. "Mr. Smith, I've heard about your divorce with Ms. Williams. People say you don't have any feelings for Ms. Williams. But from what I just saw, it doesn't seem to be the case."
Michael put his hands in his pockets, tugged at his lips, and replied, "Mrs. Jone, you're joking. There's no such thing. The only person I love is Mandy."
He thought, 'Feelings for Rachel? Impossible!'
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