Chapter 406
“You think I’m wearing a fake?” Marianne’s face twisted with rage. She pointed at herself and let out a cold laugh. “Patrick, have you no conscience? Your company went bankrupt because you’re incompetent! I had to swallow my pride and ask my family for money just so we could attend Miss Blackwood’s coming-of-age party!” “If it weren’t for me, do you think you’d be standing here looking so respectable p>
Marianne grew more aggrieved as she spoke. “I spent all the money I scraped together to get Hailey outfitted. Where would I get the money to buy real jewelry for myself? And now you have the nerve to blame me? If you’re so capable, why don’t you buy me something real p>
Her voice kept getting louder, drawing glances from the people around them.
Benedict interrupted, his head pounding. “Mom, Dad, please stop fighting! Isn’t this embarrassing enough? The more you argue, the more attention you attract. Do you really want to become a laughingstock p>
Marianne shut her mouth but shot Patrick a furious glare, her chest heaving with ragged breaths.
She yanked the necklace from her neck and stuffed it into her purse. “Where’s Hailey? She went to the restroom forever ago. The whole family’s future is riding on her now p>
“By the way, have either of you seen the Blackwood heir? We need to find a chance for Hailey to p>
Before she could finish, her voice died in her throat. Her eyes flew wide as she stared straight ahead.
Hailey was walking in through a side door, her head down and her steps unsteady. She clutched her chest tightly, a look of panic on her face.
Though she had tried to straighten it, the gown the Wynn family had spent a fortune on was still visibly wrinkled and disheveled. The hem even seemed to be stained with something.
Even worse p>
The top of her strapless dress was clearly loose. Hailey was holding it up with all her might to prevent a wardrobe malfunction.
“Hailey p>
Marianne’s heart ached. “What happened to you? How did you end up like this?” The dress had cost a fortune! It had practically wiped out her savings!
Yes, Marianne was heartbroken over the gown she had worked so hard to acquire. Before, a dress of this price wouldn’t have caused her such pain.
But now… she was wearing a fake necklace herself. All her money had been spent on this dress and Hailey’s jewelry.
How could she not be heartbroken?
She was so focused on the dress that she didn’t even notice Hailey’s face, which was growing more swollen beneath her thick layer of foundation.
Patrick, however, noticed.
After all, her face was so swollen it was distorted, making Hailey look battered and strange, especially under the brilliant lights of the banquet hall.
Patrick’s expression turned exceedingly grim.
He had been counting on Hailey to use her beauty to find a way out for the Wynn family. Now that she looked like this, with no semblance of grace, how was she supposed to seduce anyone?
He thought of Serena just a moment ago, stepping out in that gown—stunning, elegant, and regal, like a queen at the pinnacle of power. The image instantly sent his hopes for Hailey plummeting.
If only Serena were standing by his side right now p>
With a face like Serena’s and the connections she had, would the Wynn family be here, looking like a bunch of clowns?
Hailey already felt wronged and shaken. Patrick’s look was the last straw. How could she not see what her father was thinking?
Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed, “It… it was my sister. It was Serena! Serena! She tricked me. She deliberately lured me away and had someone humiliate me. That’s why… that’s why I p>
Marianne erupted in fury, her face contorting. “I knew that little bitch was up to no good! How dare she do this to you p>
Patrick frowned, narrowing his eyes at the weeping Hailey. “Given her attitude at the entrance, she was already hitting you openly. Does she really need to target you in private p>
Hailey was stunned that her father would side with Serena. Her tears fell even faster. “Dad, are you saying you think I’m lying p>
“Patrick!” Hearing his skepticism,
Marianne angrily pulled Hailey into her arms, “What do you mean by that? That wretched girl has always been sly and cunning, and she’s always been jealous of Hailey. Why else would she have deliberately targeted Hailey’s face earlier? She’s just jealous that Hailey is beautiful and afraid she’ll actually win over all the top bachelors at this banquet and leave her in the dust p>
Patrick wanted to say, *What does Hailey have that Serena would be jealous of?* If anything, it was clearly Hailey who was jealous of Serena.
But looking at his wife’s twisted face, he couldn’t be bothered to argue. He just frowned and said, “I already told you, be polite when you see her. Don’t provoke her, and don’t start a fight p>
All he wanted was to stay at this
banquet quietly and find an opportunity for the Wynn Group to
make a comeback. Every time they
clashe
with
, they last.
He
didn’t want to get thrown out of the
Blackwood family’s banquet.
This place was filled with the world’s top elites. If they were kicked out of here, the Wynn family’s reputation would be utterly trampled. He could forget about ever recovering.
Hailey couldn’t believe her father was siding so much with Serena, not defending her at all and even blaming her. She cried even harder.
Marianne’s heart broke for her, and she lashed out at Patrick. “Patrick, what is wrong with you? Hailey has been bullied like this, and you’re defending an outsider? Whose father are you p>
Patrick’s head was spinning with all the shouting, and he was incredibly frustrated.
Marianne, also furious with him,
shot him a glare and pulled Hailey toward the restroom. “Let’s go! I’ll help you get cleaned up. Don’t be afraid I will always be on your side You’re my daughter. How could you ever be less than that slum-raised little brat p>