Chapter 1403
Dominic’s face turned livid.
In all his life, when had he ever been so publicly humiliated?
Especially when he was the one actively offering goodwill to Serena.
But this time, he couldn’t even use the Montgomery family’s status to fight back.
Because Nicholas’s words had made it clear to everyone that their so-called hidden foundation was nowhere near as unshakeable as they boasted.
At the very least, the Third Branch was currently begging the Blackwoods for mercy.
And greedily eyeing the Lancasters’ power.
Their so-called support for Serena.
Was nothing more than an attempt to step on her to pave the way for the Third Branch.
The desperation was pathetic, and the crowd’s gazes shifted to undisguised mockery, ready to enjoy the show.
Sebastian’s face was as dark as thunder.
As the head of the Third Branch, he had brought Dominic to the gala with the intention of testing the waters and climbing the social ladder.
But he never expected the Lancaster family to show absolutely zero mercy.
Not only that, but they had dragged the Blackwood family into it.
Ripping open the Third Branch’s most humiliating vulnerabilities for all to see.
The Montgomery family was a hidden aristocratic family.
But being hidden didn’t mean they didn’t need money to survive.
Internal strife had ravaged them for years. The Third Branch was struggling, their cash flow severely restricted, and they desperately needed a powerful external alliance.
The Lancaster family was their ideal target.
And Serena―a newly returned heiress heavily promoted by the Lancasters— seemed like the easiest vulnerability to exploit.
Who would have thought.
Instead of exploiting the vulnerability.
They would get their own faces smashed in.
He knew that dragging this out would only make the Montgomery family look worse.
Forcing down the rage boiling in his chest, he managed a stiff smile. “Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Lancaster, this is all a misunderstanding Dominic young and speaks without thinking
“Tonight is Miss Lancaster’s gala, and our family genuinely came to offer congratulations p>
He looked at Serena, his tone slightly softer but still laced with
resentment: “Miss Lancaster is exceptionally talented, so it’s natural for people to admire her. Dominic simply wanted to get to know her better p>
“There’s no need to take young people’s jokes so seriously p>
“Jokes?” Jasper lazily arched an eyebrow, his striking eyes full of sarcasm. “Mr. Montgomery, your family’s jokes are quite unique p>
“Opening your mouth to pave the way for my sister, closing it to offer her support p>
“What? Is the Montgomery family’s usual strategy for picking up girls to package yourselves as saviors p>
Another wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the crowd.
Dominic’s face went rigid. He opened his mouth to snap back.
But before he could speak, Sebastian clamped a hand down on his shoulder.
Sebastian smiled, clearly strained. “Since Miss Lancaster is already engaged to Mr. Blackwood, it was naturally presumptuous of us p>
That statement was equivalent to a public surrender.
The crowd instantly broke into hushed whispers. “The Lancaster heiress and the Blackwood Crown Prince. They’re way too powerful p>
“The Lancasters dote on her, the Blackwoods protect her. Who would dare mess with her p>
“The Montgomery family really humiliated themselves this time p>
Hearing the gossip, the Montgomery
father and son looked thunderous
but they kept forging smiles apologize on Dominic’s beh
Pressing down hard on Dominic’s shoulder, his voice dropped ominously. “Dominic p>
Dominic went stiff, all color draining from his face.
He was being forced to apologize to Serena in front of everyone?
Forced to bow his head to the woman he thought he could easily manipulate just moments ago?
This was worse than a public slap to the face.
But the grip on his shoulder was so tight it felt like it might crush his bones.