Chapter 17

Brandon Lowell gasped in pain but stubbornly straightened his back.

He glared at Evelyn Laurent with a sinister smirk. "Evelyn, it's not too late to get on your knees and beg for mercy!"

Evelyn crossed her arms, her cold gaze fixed on the ridiculous spectacle before her.

The faces of Vincent Lowell's family of four were twisted with malice and triumph, as if they could already see Evelyn groveling in humiliation.

Victoria Langley's eyes were frosty.

Richard Langley swept his gaze across the room, ensuring his daughter was unharmed before finally settling on Vincent.

The six Langley brothers' expressions darkened dangerously.

To humiliate Evelyn right in front of them?

They were asking for death.

Vincent remained oblivious to the danger. Instead, he fawned as he stepped forward. "Mrs. Langley, I'm Vincent Lowell of Lowell Group in Cloudhaven. This girl may be my adopted daughter, but we've long severed ties! Such an ill-mannered creature deserves—"

"Silence!"

Victoria's sharp command instantly hushed the entire room.

Alexander Langley lifted a hand, his voice icy. "Security."

A team of well-trained guards swiftly filed in.

The eldest Langley heir's presence alone seemed to drop the temperature of the banquet hall.

"On your knees," he ordered Vincent, his voice like frozen steel. "Apologize."

Before Vincent could react, security forced him down with a brutal shove.

The sickening thud of his knees hitting the marble floor sent chills down everyone's spines.

"W-what—?" Vincent looked up in terror, meeting Evelyn's indifferent stare.

The guests who had earlier clamored to have Evelyn thrown out now paled in horror.

Alexander's gaze swept over the crowd. "Who was it that demanded her removal?"

A chorus of sharp inhales echoed through the hall.

Security forced Brandon's head down, slamming it against the floor. "Apologize!"

Blood trickled from Brandon's forehead, staining the carpet crimson.