Wesley forced a stiff smile. "Avery is already exceptional. There’s nothing we need to teach her. But your own child, fresh back from overseas, doesn’t even have the guts to show their face. Are they that ashad?"
The tension in the room shot up imdiately. The guests thought, ’Wow, they’re already going at it.’
The Murphy family’s expressions soured. Regina sneered, "Mr. and Mrs. Carter, tonight’s dinner includes French cuisine. Do you even know how to eat it? Would you like us to give you a hands-on lesson?"
Arthur didn’t miss a beat. "Your kid just got back from abroad. Do they even know how to use a fork? Maybe we should give them a lesson."
At this, Josie raised her tiny hand and said in her sweet, childish voice, "I know how to use a fork. I can teach them."
The crowd couldn’t help but laugh. They looked down on the Carter family for being poor, but they didn’t think much of the Murphy family either, who were rich but classless. So, they stayed neutral, just enjoying the show.
Regina was so furious she slamd the table, about to lose her temper.
Just then, soone exclaid, "Avery is here!"
Both families instinctively turned toward the entrance, pausing their argunt. With Avery being the forr beloved daughter of the Murphy family, even those who hadn’t t her had certainly heard of her. She was also the top student and a recognized beauty of Rosemont City High School, the best in the city—everyone in the room knew who she was.
Given the special nature of tonight’s event, the mont she walked in, she beca the center of attention. Today, she was dressed casually but stylishly. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she wore white sneakers, a light yellow T-shirt with a cute duck design, and white knee-length shorts. A cream-colored crossbody bag hung over her shoulder. She looked fresh, vibrant, and full of energy.
What really caught everyone’s attention was her flawless, glowing skin; the curves that even her loose T-shirt couldn’t hide; her shiny black hair; long, curled eyelashes; and full, rosy lips. In short, everything about her was just right—her fair skin, dark hair, rosy lips, and perfect figure left no room for criticism. The only thing anyone could possibly nitpick was that she wasn’t wearing any designer brands.
Under the gaze of everyone in the room, Avery walked confidently to the main table, completely unfazed by the attention.
"Dad, Mom, Arthur, Josie, I’m sorry. I only got Zoe’s ssage a few minutes ago, so I’m a bit late."
Seeing her healthy complexion and bright smile, with no sign of distress or discomfort, Wesley and the others finally relaxed.
"As long as you’re okay," Wesley smiled. "There aren’t any seats left at this table. Should we move to another one or head out?"
"The show isn’t over yet. How can we leave now?" Avery grinned as she gently patted Josie’s head. "Josie, how about you sit with ?"
Josie clapped her hands excitedly. "Okay. I’m so small, I won’t take up much space."
Avery cheerfully lifted her up and seated her on her lap. Wesley leaned in and whispered, "Avery, what’s going on here?"
Avery smiled. "You’ve been set up. But don’t worry, just think of it as watching a good show. Hold back your anger for now, and we’ll make sure to return the favor later."
Seeing her so composed, Wesley and the others cald down as well.
"All right."
"Well, well, Avery, you’re finally here," Regina said, her old grudges bubbling to the surface. With a cold smile, she continued, "Now that you’re here, why haven’t you greeted us, the adoptive parents who raised you for 18 years? Or are you afraid we’ll ask for financial support now that you’ve latched onto a rich backer?"
Andrew joined in, mocking Avery, "Are you bitter because my parents didn’t give you enough when they sent you back to the Carter family? Is that why you’re holding a grudge?"
The crowd was shocked, thinking, ’Whoa, Avery just walked in, and the Murphy family is already attacking her? After raising her for 18 years, they’re talking to her like she’s an enemy? And wait, did Avery really hook up with soone rich?’
Avery smiled calmly. "Mrs. Murphy, you’ve got it all wrong. Everything I’ve done has been to help you and your biological children. "
"If your own kids can’t even asure up to , and I still treated you as my adoptive parents, wouldn’t they worry that I might steal your affection—or even your inheritance? How could they sleep at night? "
"For the sake of your family’s happiness, it’s only right that I cut ties with you."
"Besides, my biological parents are better than you in every way. I need to focus on being a good daughter to them—I simply don’t have the ti or energy to deal with you."
The crowd was buzzing with excitent. They thought, ’Avery isn’t holding back at all, hitting the Murphy family where it hurts! This is getting intense.’
Everyone was eager to see what would happen next. The only ones thrilled by this were the Carter family. All their anger and frustration seed to lt away at that mont.
"Stop flattering yourself!" Regina snapped, slamming the table. "What makes you think you’re better than my Andrew and Gia? You’re just jealous of them!"
"Jealous? Of what?" Avery smirked, touching her face. "Are Andrew and Gia so hideous that they don’t even dare show their faces?"
She knew exactly why Andrew and Gia were keeping their faces hidden. Andrew was the lead in a popular drama that was currently airing. If he showed his face here, the students would swarm him, completely ruining Zoe’s carefully laid plans. As for Gia, she was vain and pretentious, probably trying to maintain an air of mystery for so grand reveal later.
Andrew and Gia were seething, their faces nearly twisted with rage. Andrew slamd the table and stood up.
"Avery, my parents missed you for 18 years. When they sent you back to the Carter family, they even gave you a three-bedroom apartnt, but you turned it down because it was too old. "
"Fine, you didn’t want it. But you took the opportunity to steal my mom’s favorite V Group diamond ring. Don’t you have any sha? Is this the kind of dirty gene that runs in the Carter family?"
The room fell into stunned silence. The way people looked at Avery now was filled with contempt. They thought, ’She looks so refined and pure, yet she’s being accused of stealing her adoptive mother’s diamond ring? If this is true, it’s beyond despicable!’
"You... you’re lying!" Claire couldn’t bear to see Avery being accused of theft in front of everyone. She stood up, her eyes red with emotion. "Avery would never do sothing like that! You’re framing her!"
Wesley also stood up, holding Claire’s hand. "You owe Avery an apology right now, or we won’t let this go."
"Framing her?" Andrew sneered and turned to Regina. "Mom, give that ring."
Regina shot Avery a venomous glare before taking off the red diamond ring from her finger and handing it to Andrew.
Andrew held up the ring for everyone to see. "Everyone, take a look. This is the V Group diamond ring my mom bought just two months ago. It’s worth 2 million dollars. It’s a new design by Miss Yonder, and it’s the only one of its kind in the world—extrely valuable."
The crowd buzzed with excitent, their eyes filled with awe and envy as they stared at the ring. Yonder’s designs were incredibly rare, with artistic and collectible value far beyond their market price. Owning a ring like this would be a prized possession, whether worn or kept as an investnt.
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