Marcus Valentine served himself food with a stony expression.
But Mina Sherwood noticed his knuckles were white.
The chopsticks trembled slightly in his hand.
She knew him too well.
The notorious troublemaker of New York never cared about gossip.
His tension now was only because—
He felt ashamed too.
A bitter smile touched Mina's lips.
She suddenly clenched her fists and looked at the third table.
"Is the food not to your liking today?"
The hushed whispers ceased abruptly.
Several women looked up in alarm.
Mina's cold gaze swept over them. "You may leave if you don't wish to eat."
Penelope Valentine quickly tried to mediate. "Sister-in-law, they're all family…"
Mina cut her off sharply. "Are you deaf? You pretended not to hear them gossiping about me?"
Penelope's face instantly paled.
She looked at Marcus with hurt. "Brother, I didn't mean to…"
Marcus slowly raised his eyes.
His usually arrogant gaze was now unfathomably deep.
He spoke calmly. "Then you are deaf."
Penelope was completely stunned.
Marcus turned to the third table. "My wife has asked you to leave."
His voice turned icy. "Are you not leaving yet?"
The women trembled in fear.
One of the girls hastily stood up. "Brother Marcus, I was just joking…"
She suddenly called out to the head table. "Father! I really didn't say anything!"
The addressed Mr. Chong immediately looked at Third Master Valentine.
Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. "Third Master, my daughter is young and foolish…"
Evelyn Ross suddenly chuckled lightly. "She just asked if I was the illegitimate child of the first or second branch."
Third Master Valentine's face instantly frosted over.
Mr. Chong's hands began to shake.
He rushed over and raised his hand—
Slap!
A sharp crack echoed through the banquet hall.
Third Master Valentine continued eating expressionlessly.
Mr. Chong immediately delivered another slap.
Both of the girl's cheeks were now swollen.
She screamed through her tears. "Father, you're actually hitting me for an outsider!"
Slap!
A third brutal slap landed.
Mr. Chong kicked her to the ground. "Who gave you permission to speak about Miss Evelyn!"
The entire banquet hall fell silent.
Everyone understood this was a display of authority.
The girl on the floor suddenly shrieked hysterically. "Isn't being Third Master Valentine's dog enough for you!"
She glared venomously at Evelyn. "This used goods who's already been married and had children!"
"Even if she returns to the Valentine family, she's still trash!"
Before her words faded—
The steward suddenly rushed in urgently. "Third Master! The Vance family has come to present the dowry!"