The girls around joined the chorus of mockery.


    “Has the Moreau family filed for bankruptcy yet, Colette? How could you afford to be at such an event?”


    Colette’s face turned a shade of crimson, but remembering Marina’s presence gave her a slight boost


    in confidence. With a sneer, she retorted, “Marina is the sister of the CEO of Bryant Group, and I’m her


    close friend. Why shouldn’t we be here?”


    Upon hearing Colette’s justification, Marina reflexively touched her ne and lifted her chin high,


    just as she used to, ncing disdainfully at the gathering.


    “Isn’t this banquet hosted by the Bryant family? Have you all forgotten myst name? Be, isn’t your


    father a member of the Bryant Group too? If you continue to nder me, will you still have a ce in


    Vagow?”


    Be Foster, the girl in the yellow gown, froze, her eyes flitting between Marina and the crowd,


    confusion and fear battling in her gaze.


    The other girls, who had previouslyughed at Marina’s presence, fell silent. Some even considered


    reconciling with Marina.


    Marina seemed to have a newfound confidence about her.


    However, Be stretched her hand to stop a girl from approaching


    Marina, her face filled with disdain. “Who do you think you’re fooling,


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    Marina? Sure, the Bryant Group is powerful, but what does that have to do with you? Everyone knows


    the stupid things you’ve done. Even though you share the Bryant name, the actual power rests with


    Marco! You’re nothing more than an embarrassment!”


    Upon hearing Be’s words, a few individuals in the room hesitated.


    Be continued to taunt Marina, saying, “Marina, you’ve been constantly disrespecting Loraine. Marco


    must be tired of you! I don’t think you hold any position in the Bryant family. If you did, why hasn’t


    Marco intervened to protect you despite all the trouble you’ve caused?”


    Those opportunists who had been influenced by the situation earlier quietly stepped back. The general


    sentiment among those present was that Be’s usations had some validity. Marina was seen as a


    troublemaker and someone not worthy of seeking approval from.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    As the contemptuous nces resumed, Marina felt her anger surge and blurted, “You have no right to


    belittle me!”


    Colette, standing beside Marina, felt a twinge of agreement with Be.


    Marina’s arrogance was distasteful, but considering her own n of getting close to Marco through


    Marina, she had to swallow her disgust.


    She put on a Look of regret and sighed, “I’m surprised that you all im to be socialites, yet you fail to


    recognize the jewel Marina is wearing.”


    At Colette’sment, Marina instinctively lifted her chest, showing off the sparkling ne.


    A gasp of recognition went through the crowd.


    “Isn’t that the Ster


    Gxy crafted by Master Laims? It’s a limited edition worldwide, and there’s only one like this. How did


    Marina acquire it?”