The audacity to publicly insult Tristan Felan.
Those eager to curry favor with Tristan, the women who admired him, and even those who simply could not tolerate such indecency all began scolding Leo Nafplion at once.
Unable to lash out at everyone, Leo's gaze finally locked onto Yeri, the target he considered easiest to bully.
"Damn bitch! Are you happy now?" he shouted, pointing at her. "You can all say whatever you want, but isn't the fact that she came here with Tristan Felan proof enough that she's cheating on me?"
He sneered viciously. "I may not be perfect, but to think you'd rather be played, become just another one of his side women, disgusts me! Didn't you say you loved me the most? Or was that all a lie? Turns out you're just another gold digger, eager to crawl into another man's bed the moment you get the chance!"
Loved him the most?
Yeri felt the dessert she had just eaten surge up her throat.
Not only was Leo an addict, it seemed his delusions ran far deeper than anyone had imagined. Forget rehabilitation, someone like him belonged in an asylum for the rest of his life.
Although the guests were openly disgusted by Leo Nafplion's behavior, his words had nevertheless drawn unwanted attention to Yeri.
Glances were cast her way, some curious, some judgmental, others thinly veiled with malice.
With her striking appearance, many became even more convinced that it was hardly surprising she had caught Tristan Felan's attention.
"Which family is that girl from? Such a beauty… honestly, how can Young Master Felan be blamed? It's not as though he forced her to follow him."
"She really does have the face of a seductress."
"Leo Nafplion may be worthless, but if he were willing to give her a proper title, wouldn't it be better to choose him? Being with Tristan Felan means competing with countless other women."
"And the man who stepped in earlier, wasn't he from the Song family?"
Yeri sneered inwardly. Better to be with an addict like Leo?
Whoever thought he was a "good catch" was welcome to take him. She swore that if she ever competed for such a man, may lightning strike her on the spot.
Sure enough, this was how society worked. A man who toyed with women was merely being "natural," but if the roles were reversed, the woman became a whore.
If she truly were Tristan's girlfriend tonight, she would already be drowned beneath countless spits and sword-like stares.
"Just because she is my companion does not mean we are in that kind of relationship," Tristan said calmly, utterly unfazed. "But as expected, someone with a dirty mind knows only how to speak filth."
His gaze turned cold as it settled on Leo.
"Leo Nafplion, with so many people present, you are not only slandering her, you are also claiming she is your fiancée. Are you truly unafraid of the consequences of your words?"
Leo Nafplion was not merely narcissistic. Growing up, he had always gotten whatever he wanted. Even when he committed crimes, his family never hesitated to cover for him. Over time, he had come to believe himself untouchable, above the law itself.
Moreover, he was well aware of his family's connections to the Song family, which only fueled his arrogance and emboldened his recklessness.
"My woman," Leo scoffed, swaying slightly on his feet, clearly drunk, "I can discipline her whenever I want. If I don't scold her now, should I just let her cuckold me and turn me into a laughingstock?"
He laughed harshly before fixing his gaze on Tristan. "Besides, whether you're dating her or not, what other reason would you have to approach a woman? With Yeri's looks, do you really dare to deny that you're not tempted?"
At that moment, the youngest young master of the Lin family hurried over, his brows knitted tightly.
"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, clearly unsettled. After all, Leo had been invited by him. "I could hear you from the back garden."
Leo immediately pointed at Yeri, continuing his tirade, playing the role of a betrayed man brimming with indignation.
The young master Lin followed his gesture and the instant his eyes landed on Yeri, his entire body stiffened, as though he had seen a ghost.
Words like 'my woman', 'slut', 'cheating bitch' rang clearly in his ears, and his face drained of color.
Yeri, of course, recognized him as well. Wasn't this Marco and Tiffany's friend?
Could it be he's also Leo Nafplion's friend?
Yeri curved her lips into a faint, mocking smile. She truly couldn't tell whether this Young Master Lin was simply an idiot or another scoundrel who kept company with people like Marco and Leo.
"Shut up," Young Master Lin muttered under his breath, but Leo didn't catch it.
"Leo Nafplion, are you a retard?" Young Master Lin suddenly shouted. "I told you to shut up! This is my elder brother's banquet, what the hell are you causing a scene for?!"
Leo froze, staring at him in a daze. But Young Master Lin was already grinding his molars, fury and dread churning together in his chest.
Last time, he had offended Shin Keir because of Marco and that insane girlfriend of his, nearly getting himself expelled from the Lin family.
He had been lying low ever since, and this banquet, attended by so many influential figures, was supposed to be his chance to redeem himself. Yet now, why did it feel as though fate was cruelly repeating the same mistake all over again?
No, perhaps this time was even worse. Last time, they had mistaken Yeri for an escort. But this time, in front of a hall full of elites and upper-class aristocrats, Leo Nafplion, this retard, was publicly claiming that Shin Keir's fiancée was actually his?!
And to make matters worse, he was also accusing her of cheating and promiscuity.
"Dude, back me up here. Didn't I tell you I'm engaged?" Leo muttered, turning with a wry smile before addressing the room. His voice carried, dripping with theatrical disbelief. "Well, well, meet my fiancée! Who would've thought she'd show up here with another man?"
But, Young Master Lin, who had been beside him moments ago, had already retreated as if fleeing from a contagious disease.
Standing opposite that woman, Shin Keir's fiancée, was bad for his lifespan.
He had no intention of getting involved in this game of misunderstanding once again.
By the time Leo turned back for support, his friend had already vanished into the crowd like smoke.
"Young Master Nafplion," came a smooth, self-assured voice from the side, "I'm Nolan Zhi, Yeri's uncle. Could you perhaps explain what she did to upset you?"
Nolan's expression was the very picture of moral indignation. It was almost laughable how he appeared so righteous when his own niece was being slandered.
Leo, encouraged by the sudden attention, repeated his outrageous claims, only to deepen the controversy when Nolan Zhi himself confirmed there had once been an agreement between the Zhi and Nafplion families regarding a marriage alliance.
That single statement was enough to stir the crowd into a frenzy. Whispered judgments and scandalized murmurs spread like wildfire.
"This woman's really something… I heard someone call her sister-in-law earlier when she arrived with Young Master Felan."
"Wait, so she's taken? But then what about Tristan Felan? He's a flirt, sure, but not the type to go after an engaged woman."
"I told you she has the face of a vixen."
Yeri's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at her uncle, her restraint a fragile thread. If they'd been at home, she might have flayed him alive with words, but here, amid society's watchful eyes, her family's reputation was at stake.
Before she could form a proper response, Venice stepped forward, voice sugary sweet, too eager for the spotlight.
"Please forgive my cousin, everyone," Venice began, pressing a delicate hand to her chest with faux modesty. "I apologize on behalf of our family for bringing private matters to such a dignified and noble event. My cousin didn't mean to cause trouble."
It was the perfect picture of self-serving martyrdom.
"Uncle," Yeri finally spoke, her tone clear and level, her calmness more cutting than any outburst could ever be. "Since you're aware of that old agreement, then you should also know my father never recognized it, and he certainly wouldn't use his only daughter as a bargaining chip for power or marriage alliances I have no desire to enter."
The guests stiffened. Her words weren't loud, but each syllable was poised, deliberate, impossible to dismiss.
Nolan Zhi faltered, visibly unprepared for her direct defiance.
"And I do agree," Yeri continued, her gaze sweeping the hall, "that bringing family matters into an event like this is embarrassing and unbecoming of our name. So tell me, why are you two allowing yourself to be strung along by a drunkard's provocations?"
Her sharp gaze turned to Venice, whose painted smile turned anxious.
The crowd fell silent.
Yeri stood there, poised and unflinching, her back straight, her eyes cold yet clear. She exuded neither guilt nor fear, but a quiet, unassailable confidence that made even the judgmental murmurs fade to nothing.
Tristan's lips curved upward, not in mockery, but a calm, meaningful smile, the kind a proud older brother might wear when watching a younger sibling stand her ground flawlessly.
He shifted slightly, placing himself just half a step closer to Yeri, his posture relaxed yet unmistakably protective.
"Mr. Zhi," Tristan said pleasantly, his tone mild enough to sound almost considerate, "since you're so concerned about your niece's affairs, perhaps you should first make sure your own matters are properly handled."
The implication was delivered with surgical precision.
Nolan Zhi's face stiffened instantly, his complexion turning an unsightly shade like a bitter gourd left too long in the sun.
Tristan's words struck dead center, but obviously he couldn't offend this high mountain.
What he couldn't understand was Tristan Felan seemingly protective of Yeri?
Truthfully, Nolan had only discovered that very morning that his extramarital affairs had been exposed online. Even past photos, dates, hotel records, everything laid bare with ruthless efficiency. He had panicked, pulling every string he could, calling in favors to suppress the news. And yet, no matter how many times it was removed, the information resurfaced again and again, as though someone were deliberately toying with him.
He knew someone was behind it. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't trace the source.