He made his entrance, as majestic as an emperor.
Every facet of his custom-made suit displayed his extraordinary identity. His deep voice seemed to grip everyone by the throat, making every drop of their blood churn at his words.
Mrs. Hampton stared at the man who had suddenly appeared, her breath hitching.
Although she frequented various banquet halls, she had never encountered such a formidable presence. It was so oppressive that she struggled to breathe.
Those words he spoke when he came in... he was clearly telling everyone he was here for that little wretch, Nia Mitchell! But today is Hendry Hampton's engagement ceremony! With so many upper-class people here, I absolutely cannot lose face. Suppressing the fear in her heart, she tried her best to ignore the oppressive aura the man radiated.
"Oh, Nia Mitchell! I told you people like you can never live peacefully. You dare to bring your little paramour here to cause a commotion? How shameless of you!"
Mrs. Hampton sneered, malicious words spilling easily from her lips.
Nia, however, acted as if she hadn't heard.
She silently watched the man approaching her. It was as if an invisible spotlight shone upon him, making it impossible to look away. He looked indifferently at everyone else, but his gaze held a distinct warmth only when it fell upon her.
"Uncle Peary." Her voice was unconsciously soft and tender, her eyes reddening with grievance.
The clear, red imprint of a slap stood out on her soft, pale cheek.
Upon hearing her soft, sweet voice, Maxwell Peary quickened his pace, reaching her side and gently touching her cheek.
"Who laid a hand on you?" he asked, his voice calm yet imposing. In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.
"Uncle Peary, I'm fine." Nia gave him a reassuring smile, though she felt embarrassed that he had witnessed such a scene.
Maxwell Peary nodded, then shot an icy glare at Mrs. Hampton. Mrs. Hampton shivered, a wave of fear making her hesitate to admit her actions, but...
Mrs. Hampton gritted her teeth and gave a cold snort.
"It was I who slapped this little hussy! Nia Mitchell, it hasn't even been that long, and you're already latching onto another man! It seems you'd sell anything for money. Fortunately, our Hendry is smart; he wasn't fooled by a disreputable woman like you..."
SLAP!!!
Nia, unable to bear any more, slapped Mrs. Hampton in return.
"This slap is to pay you back! I tolerated you before because of Hendry. Did you really think I'd just stand here and let you hit and curse me now?"
A corner of Maxwell Peary's lips curled up at the sight. Not bad, not bad at all. This eye-for-an-eye personality suits my taste.
Mrs. Hampton, having been slapped, lost her composure completely and trembled with rage.
Whenever I scolded her in the past, didn't that little wretch just lower her head like an obedient child? Forget her sharp tongue today, she actually dared to hit back! How utterly insolent!
"Nia Mitchell!!!"
Mrs. Hampton roared, completely disregarding her own dignity, and raised her hand to strike again.
"Mom!" Beatrice Swan said with a smile, stepping forward to block her arm.
"Mom, I know she was always pestering Hendry, but I don't mind. A buffoon can hardly grace a grand stage, after all. Hendry mentioned her to me; he never took her to heart."
Beatrice Swan was truly adept at twisting the knife, decisively framing Nia Mitchell.
She had also subtly exonerated Hendry and elevated her own image in the process—truly killing three birds with one stone.
Hendry? Hmph!
"Hendry Hampton! Who was it that knelt in the rain, begging me to be with him? Who was it that humbly coaxed me into agreeing to this engagement?"
"I suppose you haven't told your mother or this Miss Swan about these things, have you?"