The moment Frederick Blanchet's voice rang out, the entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Isabella Robinson immediately sensed this man carried an extraordinary presence.
Darren Crosier seized the opportunity like a drowning man clutching at straws. He pointed accusingly at Sophia Sullivan. "Uncle! She's the one causing trouble here!"
His face was alight with smug anticipation, waiting to see Sophia get put in her place.
But when Frederick's gaze landed on Sophia, his entire body froze.
The intimidating aura around him evaporated instantly, replaced by unprecedented deference.
"Ms. Sullivan, you came personally?"
He strode forward, unable to conceal the delight in his voice.
"It's been eight years since I last saw you."
Darren's jaw dropped.
Was this really his formidable uncle?
Bowing and scraping before a young woman like this?
Even more shocking was Sophia's response—she merely lifted a hand. "Stay where you are."
"Yes." Frederick halted immediately.
He stood obediently three meters away, like a disciplined student.
The onlookers gasped.
Everyone knew Frederick Blanchet ruled Deer Mountain with absolute authority.
Yet here he was, following Sophia's every command without question.
Chloe Evans' heart sank as she sensed the situation spiraling out of control.
Sophia's gaze swept across the crowd before settling on Frederick.
"After all these years, you've raised quite a nephew."
Her soft voice made Frederick break out in a cold sweat.
"Ms. Sullivan, I failed to discipline him properly—"
Before he could finish, Darren interrupted loudly, "Uncle! You must have mistaken her for someone else!"
He pointed at his swollen face. "This bitch had her people hit me! Make her pay!"
Frederick's face darkened with rage. He backhanded Darren across the face.
Slap!
The blow landed squarely on the injured cheek.
Darren howled in pain. "Uncle! Why hit me?"
"You insolent fool!" Frederick roared. "How dare you disrespect Ms. Sullivan?"
He looked ready to tear his idiot nephew apart.
"Apologize to her now!"
"Never!" Darren jutted his chin defiantly. "I won't bow to this slut!"
The next second, a kick sent him crashing to his knees.
"Why? Because Ms. Sullivan is the true owner of Deer Mountain!"
Frederick trembled with fury.
If not for Sophia saving his life years ago, he'd have been dead long ago.
Now this worthless nephew dared insult his benefactor? He delivered another vicious kick.
"Kowtow and beg for forgiveness!"
Darren knelt on the ground, his flabby body quivering. "Uncle, you want me to kowtow to her?"
His face twisted with resentment. "There's no way she owns Deer Mountain!"
Whispers broke out among the spectators.
"Mr. Blanchet actually disciplined his nephew in public for Ms. Sullivan!"
"Is this the same Frederick Blanchet who dominates the underworld?"
Chloe's eyes darted craftily before she piped up with feigned innocence. "Does Sister Sophia really own Deer Mountain? How come no one's mentioned it before?"
She added casually, "I heard owning land like this requires assets of at least three billion."
Three billion?
Mrs. Winston's suspicion deepened.
She'd investigated Sophia thoroughly—an orphan with no family or background!
The thought of her son suffering in the Underground City, drowning in debt while Sophia played the wealthy socialite here, made her dizzy with rage.
"Three billion is just the minimum. Deer Mountain was purchased a decade ago—its value far exceeds that now!"