Mrs. Winston's voice cut through the air like a whip.
"Stop spouting nonsense! How could Sophia Sullivan possibly embezzle company funds? The entire corporation has eyes watching every transaction!"
She reached out to pull Liam Winston away.
Never in her wildest dreams had Mrs. Winston imagined her son and Chloe Evans' so-called "exposure of truth" would involve blaming subsidiary losses.
"You've upset the patriarch enough! Get out! The gifts have been delivered—leave before you embarrass yourselves further!"
Chloe's fingers clamped around her wrist like a vise.
"Mother, I find this situation suspicious too. You've always doted on sister Sophia, treating her like your own daughter. Surely you wouldn't believe such absurd accusations about her transferring company assets."
Chloe batted her innocent doe eyes.
Today, she would take down someone—whether it be Sophia or this old hag!
"But I've never envied sister Sophia. After all, reputation means everything. Precisely because of this, we must clear her name. The subsidiary's losses didn't appear from thin air, and the timing coincides exactly with her three-month tenure. Don't we deserve an explanation?"
Chloe turned her righteous gaze to the crowd. "If mother takes Liam away now, this matter will never be clarified. Don't you all agree?"
The guests, eager for drama, nodded enthusiastically.
"A hundred million loss is no small amount."
"If this involves asset diversion, the charges would be severe."
"The company deserves a proper investigation."
Mr. Winston Sr.'s secretary, ever perceptive, noticed Mrs. Winston's panic. She swayed her hips coquettishly. "Exactly! Miss Sullivan is practically family. Any misunderstandings should be resolved openly!"
Mrs. Winston trembled with rage. "Family? Have you no shame!"
Mr. Winston Sr. immediately shielded his mistress.
"Look at yourself—behaving like a shrew!" He glared at his wife.
"Me? A shrew? While you've been philandering for years—"
Tears spilled from Mrs. Winston's eyes as suppressed fury reignited.
"Mother, calm down. The company matter takes priority now."
Liam forcefully attempted to open the documents.
But Mr. and Mrs. Winston's argument escalated.
"What successful man doesn't have affairs? You're just jealous of your fading looks!"
"Who's fading? Are you blind?"
The secretary and Chloe fanned the flames.
"Mrs. Winston, violence would be most unbecoming."
"Please stop fighting—all our guests are watching..."
The celebratory birthday banquet descended into chaos.
"Enough!"
Mr. Winston Sr. slammed the table with explosive force. Plates shattered across the floor.
Silence gripped the room.
Sophia rushed forward with heart medication.
"Grandfather, please rest upstairs. Let me handle this."
She feared the elderly man might collapse from anger.
Sophia's heart chilled. Family scandals should never air in public, yet the Winstons chose to scheme during the patriarch's eightieth birthday.
What utter disgrace!
The old man swallowed the pill but grasped her hand firmly.
"Don't fear, Sophia. While I live, no one shall bully you."