This left Be standing there rigidly, her face morphing into an unttering expression.


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


    As Be had eagerly attempted to initiate a conversation only to be tantly ignored, Marina


    discovered an outlet for her irritation, releasing a scornfulugh. “Who is so desperate to curry favor?


    It’s a pity no one even acknowledges you! Such a pitiful sycophant!”


    With indignation ring in her chest, Be retorted with a smirk, “Is that so? At least I wasn’t expelled.


    Marina, Marco just personally asked you to leave. Are you not going, or are you waiting for someone to


    physically remove you?”


    At this, Marina’s countenance darkened.


    Be, feeling triumphant, turned to the fawning crowd around her, proiming, “Did you all see that? I


    told you! Cozying up to Marina won’t help in coborating with the Bryant Group! What is she? Not only


    is she irrelevant to the Bryant Group, but she’s also an embarrassing burden even within her own


    family!”


    A wave of fury surged within Marina. Earlier, she had already harbored resentment towards Marco after


    his public humiliation of her. Despite her innate fear of him, the knowledge that he was merely a


    bastard child further inmed her indignation.


    How dare an illegitimate child treat her this way!


    Furthermore, Be’s taunting only stoked her anger, and Marina found herself unable to restrain her


    explosive retort. “I didn’t even want to attend this damn banquet! The only reason I showed up was to


    save face for the Bryant family! Who does Marco think he is? Without my mother, he’s nothing! He has


    no authority over the Bryant Group! What’s his standing? What right does he have to chastise me, the


    legitimate daughter of the Bryant family?”


    Hearing this, Be’s eyes widened in surprise. She questioned, “What are you implying?”


    Was Marina suggesting that Marco’s identity was dubious?


    A momentary satisfaction filled Marina after her tirade, but the realization of what she had inadvertently


    revealed made her face turn pale. Frantically scanning the vicinity and not spotting Marco, she hastily


    excused herself, “I was just babbling! It doesn’t mean anything!”


    In a fluster, Marina made a quick exit from the scene.


    The other socialites chuckled derisively, “Marina’s brain isn’t functioning correctly. Look how upset she


    is. She is just spouting nonsense!”


    Marina had cried wolf too many times, and they no longer took her seriously.


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    Except for Be.


    She mulled over Marina’s words with a thoughtful look but maintained herposure for the rest of the


    banquet.


    Upon the conclusion of the evening banquet, Be entered a Luxurious car and addressed the person


    in the driver’s seat, “Dad.”


    Jefferson responded with a smile, “So, were you able to engage in a conversation with Loraine and


    Marco?”


    Thinking about Marco’s dismissal, Be tensed up and sidestepped the question. Instead, she


    revealed, “Dad, I have some crucial news to share with you.”


    In the luxury car, Be hushed her tone and hastily ryed the events she had just been privy to.


    Jefferson’s eyes narrowed, his face awash with doubt.


    After a moment, he said gravely, “Be, you shouldn’t speak such things without evidence. I am no


    fool.”


    Seeing that Jefferson was skeptical, Be’s anxiety mounted.