Chapter 109 Conquering The Beauty's Triumph on the Board

with Beauty

Xena couldn't believe Paige had played this trick on her.

was left dumbfounded by Paige's audacious maneuver. In frontthe full view of everyone, this was likethe gathered crowd, it was akin to a public affront, a slap into her face.

It was as ifthough Xena was desperate to be herdesperately vying for the position of Paige's sister, only to be swiftly and decisively rebuffed by Paige couldn't reject her fast enough.

herself.Isadora, who had been feeling nervous, nearly laughed out loudpreviously gripped by unease, was now.

After all, she on the verge of bursting into laughter. She had thoughtinitially assumed that the female doctor was an ally of Xena's person, but. However, not only was she not, but she had also publicly humiliatedshamed Xena.

Isadora, who had always been outshoneovershadowed by Xena inwithin their social circle, but now shewas suddenly feltflooded with a sense of relief.

Isadora's A smile blossomedunfurled across her face.

"Miss Yue, what an interestingyou truly are a fascinating character you are."
," she remarked.Nonchalantly, Paige casually tookaccepted a glass of champagne from thea passing server's tray offered by a nearby server, raising. She raised it in a toast towards Isadora, who was already holding her glass aloft. They clinked theirreciprocated the gesture. Their glasses clinked together in, followed by a toast. Paige then gestured tocollective sip from the others, andrest of the whole group drank in unison.

Among the socialites, a flurry of thoughts was hidden beneath.Beneath the veneer of polished smiles.

In this, a whirlwind of thoughts stirred among the socialites. In the world of high society, the Sackler family wasn't, though not at the top of the hierarchy. Still,pinnacle, held a significant position due to their ties with their connections to the Carnegies,. This granted Xena always walked around with an air of superiority.

Though on the surface, they were friends that she wore like a second skin. Despite the façade of friendship, there were often undercurrents of discomfort.

unease. The presencearrival of a beautiful woman who could converse withhold her own against Louis and who had so clearlybrazenly snubbed Xena was a source of eager anticipation for the others.

Xena's painted-onplastered smile threatened to crack at any moment.

was on the brink of shattering. "Xanthe, what kind ofan odd name is that? ," she sneered. "Are there any Northwinds with the surnamenamed Xanthe? If you wanted to change your name, sister, couldn’t you pick one that people have actually heard of?"

Xena mocked, but then, feigning Feigning shock and covering her mouth, she turned to Paige:, "Oh...really?"

The socialites leaned in, curious,their curiosity piqued. "What's happened?"

They they wondered if, speculating whether Xena could recover from her earlier faux pas.

misstep."Xanthe, could that be your Dad'sfather's surname?" Xena asked pointedly.

, her tone pointed.Unruffled, Paige replied calmlyresponded, "It's my grandfather's surname."

Xena's complexion darkened,. "You're lying. Your grandfather's last name is Fang."

Even though she hadDespite never having met him, Mrs. Sackler had married into the family and takenadopted their name. Both she and Paige shared this connection to Mrs. Sackler. How could Xena not know?

Paige knew realized that Xena was trying too hardoverreaching in her attempt to appear clever.

Paige retorted, astute."How interesting that Mr. Sackler knows more about my family than I do."

," Paige retorted.At this, the crowd of socialites erupted into laughter.

Indeed, who would know her grandfather's name better than Paige herself?

At that moment, Pearl approached and whispered into Paige's ear, "Xanthe, there's a special guest over there."

After Pearl spoke, Paige nodded, "I'll be there shortly."

Despite Pearl's hushed tones, the surrounding crowd overheard the name: Xanthe.

It wasn't just any heiress—It was Xanthe.

Xena was the first to react in surprise, "Xanthe?"

Paige shot back, "Is there a problem?"

A wave of realization hitwashed over Xena. How much weight did the Carnegie family's endorsement hold for Paige? And what was the story behind Paige's peculiar choice of a name?
Paige casually nodded to the other socialites, "Ladies, I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me."

Xena had brought Paige over simply to embarrass her, hoping to ruffle Isadora's feathers.

But, things had not started in her favor. Xena didn't gain the upper hand; instead, she became the butt of the joke among the socialites.

It was a significant loss for her.

Paige turned and walked away with Pearl to meet other people.

Meanwhile, Xena continued to endure the ridicule.

"Xena, I've seen her before. Didn't she come looking for you at the bar? I remember she handled that knife pretty well. Is she really your sister? I recall something about your family..."

The conversation was veering dangerously close to digging up some secrets of the Sackler family.

Xena quickly interrupted, "She's a relative, a year older, so naturally, you could say she's my sister."

Isadora had planned to keep a low profile today, especially since Xena was around, and she didn't want to dredge up past unpleasantness.

By letting Xena win the first round upon entrance, she had shown deference.

But now, seeing that Xena was trying to set her up using the female doctor to embarrass her, Isadora could no longer afford to be polite.

After all, the Wren family had concrete evidence that Xena had drugged Louis.

Solid evidence!


Isadora confronted her, "The Xena with a sneer, "Is the esteemed Mr. Sackler is even tryingnow reduced to cozycozying up to distant relatives? I hear I've heard that the Sackler Group is handlingmanaging several promising biglarge-scale projects. But having to grovelthis groveling to distant relativeskin suggests a lack of competence. MaybePerhaps it's time to hand those projects off..."

Before Isadora could finishcomplete her sarcastic remarkjibe, Xena's face darkenedclouded over with rage,fury. "Isadora, do you have any idea what you're saying?"

comprehend the implications of your words?" she snapped.Unfazed, Isadora, far from backing down, continued pressed on, "Ah… Mr. Sackler, your relentless pursuit of Mr. Carnegie... couldCould it be becausethat the Sackler Group's projects are too muchoverwhelming for onea single entity to handle alone? Oh, what ? What a pity..."

Isadora stopped shortHer voice trailed off, leaving herthe insinuation hanging heavily in the air.

ImmediatelySuddenly, one of the socialites chimed ininterjected, "Chasing Mr. Carnegie? But Xena, aren't you engagedbetrothed to Louis?"

Xena's face fell incrumpled with embarrassment.

Almost losing regard for her surroundings, she In a fit of rage, she swung a slap towards Isadora's face in retaliation.

Isadora's face, , heedless of their surroundings.Isadora, with her pampered and luxurious visage, anticipated Xena's potential desperation.desperate retaliation. She swiftly dodgednimbly sidestepped the attack, findingseeking refuge beside her friends.
"Xena, have you lost your mindsenses? What kind of situation is this for you to even think about hittingcontemplate striking me?" 

Unable to contain her fury, Xena couldn't hold back the rage boiling inside her.retorted, "Isadora, have I given youbeen too much facelenient with you? Have you forgotten what you've done? Obsessing over your deeds? Your obsession with Elijah is one thing, but whatthe lowdown, dirty tricks you've pulled."

played are another."At this, everyone around hadpresent adopted the lookexpressions of spectators at a drama unfolding.

They were all curious, whatWhat vile thingdeed had been done?

committed, they wondered?Pearl nudged Paige, “Xanthe, over therewhispering, “Look, Xena and Miss Su seem to be having a fight."

spat."Paige didn’t even turn her head, knowing full wellfully aware that Isadora wasn't awas no fool. If Isadora's planscheme to drug Louis had failed, she was awareknew the Wren family wouldn’t be withoutwould have a backup plan.

She repliedresponded with a dismissive chuckle, "Dog eat dog, a fur-filled mouth."

At that moment, a blonde, blue-eyed middle-aged man started walking towardsbegan to approach Paige.

Pearl shifted her attention from the female scufflesquabble and informed Paige, “That's Andrew, the representative CEO of Universe Group’s M-country branch. FiftyHe's fifty-three years old, came into power five years ago, and has been pushing hard to privatize the M-country subsidiary lately. Looks like trouble’s coming our way!”

It seems we're about to have company!”Paige nodded, remarking indifferently, “He seemsappears to have put on quitegained a bitconsiderable amount of weight since his photographs.”

Pearl agreedconcurred, “Indeed, he’s always been on the heavier side, but he’s put on weight especially fast this past year. Probably the result of more power and more erratic habits with age. But it’s just middle age for a career man, not too old."

As they conversed, the man approached.

drew closer.Andrew wasn't a newcomer; he had even arrived early, had congratulated the likes of Bradley, and after a good chat, he was now out and about.

mingling.He had also specifically come to findsought out Xanthe.

Andrew had missed the last video meeting, so this was the first-time face-to-face for both of them.

Pearl offered the introductionintroduced him, “This is Mr. Andrew, CEO of the Universe Group’s M-country branch."

"Mr. Andrew, the person in front ofbefore you is Xanthe, Chairman and CEO of the Quorinthus branch of Universe Group."

Andrew extended his hand eagerly, and Paige shook it.

Althoughreciprocated.Though both held CEO titles, Paige's came with the additional distinction of Chairman of the Group.

As his subordinatesuperior, Andrew greeted first, "Xanthe, I've heard great things. Meeting you today certainly lives up to your reputation."
Paige was, meeting with a subordinate of the division's CEO for the first time and, maintained her poise. Yet, a smile stayed ongraced her face as she asked, “So, what has Mr. Andrew heard about me?”

Andrew laughed heartily, “Of course, it's about Xanthe's extraordinary beauty.”

Paige scoffed internally. Beauty? Had the corporate rumor mill really reduced her, the Universe Group Heir and Quorinthus division's CEO, to just her looks following the last video conference?

Despite knowing that these old-timers didn't accept her, she keptmaintained her smile and spoke calmly spoke without, showing a speck ofno concern over the 'beauty' label affixed to her capabilities. Instead, she embraced it, “It seems with just the ‘beauty’ card, I have already conquered the entire board. I am flattered!”