Chapter 416


    On the surface, Jeffrey was criticizing Dorian’s family forcking proper lineage. However, he was


    clearly mocking Vivienne for not having a reputable background—a nobody taken in from the wild.


    Cordelia''s eyes brimmed with tears, and Dorian was fuming, but this was the Ellington Mansion''s grand


    hall, and he could not very well throw a fit and ruin the birthday celebration.


    Vivienne''s brow furrowed. Messing with her family was akin to poking a sleeping bear.


    But this was Richard''s milestone birthday, and despite her irritation with Jeffrey, she gave Richard the


    respect he deserved by not causing a scene.


    She stepped forward, slipping her arm through Cordelia''s, saying, "Mom, Dad, as long as you''ll have


    me, I''ll always be your daughter. As for the barking of some dogs, we needn''t bother with them."


    Her voice was just loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.


    Jeffrey bellowed, "Vivienne, who are you calling a dog?"


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    "The one responding," Vivienne replied coolly.


    "You think I don’t dare to p you for that?" Jeffrey, unustomed to such disrespect, advanced


    towards Vivienne.


    Before he couldy a hand on her, Richard''s cane came crashing down.


    "You little bastard, what nonsense are you spewing? You think you can hit Vivienne? I''ll whip you


    myself! Useless trash!" Richard brandished his cane, chasing after Jeffrey.


    Fiona cursed under her breath. She thought he might have some sense, but this was his grand idea—


    to infuriate Vivienne intoshing out. Yet he was the one to lose his cool first.


    Both Percival and Richard treated Vivienne like a treasure—how could they let her be humiliated?


    Even if it meant causing a scene at the birthday event, they would not stand by and let Vivienne be


    scorned!


    This useless fool, always botching things up!


    Nevertheless, she stepped forward, taking hold of Richard. "Grandpa, please calm down. Jeffrey didn''t


    mean any harm. He just doesn''t know how to speak. Jeffrey, aren''t you going to apologize to Cordelia


    and Vivienne?"


    Richard stood on the stage, fuming, and even shouted at Jeffrey, "Let me tell you, Vivienne is my


    beloved granddaughter-inw. Her family is my family. Now go apologize to my inws, or I swear I''ll


    break your legs today!"


    Jeffrey was reluctant, unable to believe that Richard would actually humiliate him in front of so many


    people.


    He could not ept this!


    "Vivienne, even if you im thismoner as your mother, your ignorance is still apparent. Pretending


    to be high society? You think a fancy dress makes you one of us?" Jeffrey scoffed at Vivienne, "Not to


    mention jewelry. You have no clue about it!"


    Fiona frowned, scolding Jeffrey inwardly, "Idiot, will you never stop?"


    "Jeffrey, Vivienne just has a different expertise. You can''t talk like that," Fiona tugged at Jeffrey,


    apologizing to Vivienne, "I''m sorry, Vivienne. Maybe you should take your family and leave for now."


    Percival''s stern face showed a flicker of coldness as he looked at Fiona and suddenly smiled, "Fiona,


    did you just suggest that the guests I invited, my inws, should leave? Are you joking?"


    His smile did not show the slightest joy.


    Fiona''s expression changed, realizing Percival was truly angered.


    "That''s not what I meant. I just thought continuing like this wouldn''t look good, so I suggested... I''m


    sorry, it''s my..."


    Before she could finish, Percival interrupted with a cold voice, "The ones who should leave are you, not


    my inws. Right, Sis?"


    Percival''s anger was palpable, an invisible frost surrounding him, particrly when he addressed her


    as ''Sis,'' sending a shiver down Fiona''s spine.


    As she was about to exin further, Jeffrey spoke up, "Vivienne''s just a country bumpkin! What''s


    wrong with what I said? She can''t even afford proper jewelry, let alone understand it!"


    Fiona''s hand flew and struck Jeffrey across the face, "Shut up!"


    Fool!


    Such a low-level tactic! How could his pig brain evene up with it?


    She tried her best to salvage the situation, and he was fanning the mes!


    He was aplete idiot!


    Jeffrey looked at Fiona in disbelief. "You hit me?"


    But before he could react further, Percival grabbed Jeffrey by the cor and tossed him out of the hall.


    A sound of bones breaking echoed.


    Percival''s deep, cold gaze turned to Jeffrey outside the hall, his eyes as sharp as knives.


    If it were not for Grandpa''s birthday today, he would make Jeffrey learn the consequences of insulting


    Vivienne.


    "Anyone who disrespects Vivienne or my inws in the future, don''t me me for not being polite!"


    Percival swept a cold nce across the crowd, hismanding presence silencing them.


    Henry was about to explode in anger but saw Fiona shake her head at him, signaling him to back


    down.


    They could not afford to sacrifice the whole family branch for Jeffrey.


    Fiona moved to smooth things over, "Percival, Vivienne, I apologize on behalf of my brother. We’re


    sorry."


    Vivienne remained silent, simplyforting Cordelia.


    With Mr. Wolf taking charge, that was enough. And indeed, having someone in her corner felt pretty


    good.


    In the crowd, Jasper nodded silently. "He''s got her back. That''s a real man."


    Yuri chuckled. "Indeed. So, do we join the fray now?"


    "Let''s wait. That little miss from the Ellington family, she''s not as simple as she seems," Jasper said


    with a hint of meaning, ncing at Fiona.


    The words had barely left Fiona''s lips when she made a goodwill gesture. "Cordelia, to express my


    sincerest apologies, I would like to gift you this jewelry set for your collection."


    Fiona clenched her fists in frustration, thinking that no one seemed to have an ounce of sense! Content


    of Drаm??ovels.cоm


    Vivienne had been holding her tongue, not wanting to cause a scene during the birthday celebration.


    But with the continuous provocations, she was no longer about to remain polite.


    She looked coldly at the so-called Signature Collection jewelry set. "A wed set like that is worthy of


    my mother''s collection?"


    Vivienne''s bluntment took Fiona aback, her pride stung.


    This jewelry set was the result of her dedication and passion. It was her favorite design to date and had


    garnered gasps of admiration from all thedies upon its debut.


    Yet, in Vivienne''s mouth, it was reduced to a wed product. How could Fiona stand for that?


    Vivienne''s eyebrows arched slightly, her eyes simmering with anger. "Since when do I need you to


    teach me how to speak?"