Chapter 1950
No.1
“I’m embarrassed to be related to you!”
Victoria recoiled in shock.
How dare anyone speak to her like that?!
Both families turned to see a man in black pants and a burgundy shirt.
He looked disheveled and full of scorn.
It was Adrian Sinclair.
He was the son of the Sinclair family.
Victoria’s cousin.
The nephew of Richard and Eleanor.
No.2
Eleanor instantly scowled.
“Adrian! How could you be so rude?”
“Victoria is your cousin! Don’t believe those rumors online!”
“I think people know how to tell truth from lies.”
“Isabella was with Alexander for eighteen years. How is that fake news?”
“And all the terrible things Victoria did—could those be fake?” Adrian stated loudly.
He looked at everyone with contempt.
“If I had a son and daughter like them, I’d beat them to death out of shame.”
“How can you all make such a spectacle of this wedding?”
No.3
“Aren’t you aware how ridiculous this is?”
Adrian’s words were sharp and insulting.
The two families glared furiously.
Especially Victoria.
Her face turned pale with rage.
Victoria knew most wedding guests despised her.
She could tolerate their hidden contempt as long as they maintained surface politeness.
Once she and Alexander were officially married, she would become Mrs. Whitmore.
Wife of the president of Whitmore Enterprises!
No.4
That wretched Adrian had to openly voice such cutting remarks.
His harsh words stabbed at her pride relentlessly.
Seeing Victoria's eyes welling up, Eleanor quickly grasped her hand.
She shot Adrian a furious glare. "What right do you have to judge her? Everyone makes mistakes. She's acknowledged hers and vowed to change. Why must you dredge up the past?"
"Exactly! You call my son heartless, but do you know how hard he tried to win Isabella back? She's the one who rejected him repeatedly! She probably spread those vile rumors online herself!"
Though Madam Whitmore scolded Adrian, her accusing gaze remained fixed on Isabella.
Anyone would assume Isabella orchestrated the rumors out of spite.
The implication made Isabella's blood boil.
Did they truly believe she had nothing better to do?
No.5
Alexander had threatened her via text.
Now Madam Whitmore publicly shamed her.
What made them think she cared enough to sabotage their wedding?
Before she could respond, Richard chastised Adrian. "Stop causing trouble! This is your cousin's wedding day. You've achieved nothing yourself. Look in the mirror before criticizing others!"
Everyone in Westchester knew Adrian was a worthless playboy.
His arrogance had landed his parents in the hospital.
He'd been rightfully disowned by the Kensington family.
A flicker of malice crossed Victoria's eyes before she adopted a wounded expression.
"Please don't scold Adrian. He means well. Perhaps we were wrong to make this wedding so extravagant. I don't deserve such a grand celebration..."
No.6
She dabbed at fake tears with her delicate fingers.
Her performance successfully manipulated the crowd.
Eleanor patted her hand comfortingly. "Nonsense! Even ex-convicts deserve second chances. Your past mistakes don't define you. Don't overthink it."
"But Adrian is right. We should scale back the festivities." Victoria turned to Adrian with feigned gratitude. "Thank you for your advice. I agree completely. However... as you see, all the guests are here. Everything is prepared. We can't cancel now. If you had concerns, you should have voiced them earlier. I would have listened."
Her words subtly implied he was too late to object.
Adrian nearly exploded at her blatant hypocrisy.
Victoria continued her act of false benevolence. "Regardless, I appreciate your concern. If you need anything—career opportunities, housing assistance—please let me know. I'll help however I can."
She deliberately highlighted his unemployment and homelessness.
Eleanor glared disapprovingly. "Victoria, don't be foolish! He was disowned for being useless! Why help someone who just insulted you?"
No.7
"Exactly! He's twenty-five and still mooches off friends daily! Any money given to him would be wasted! And after his rudeness! Your kindness is misplaced!" Richard added angrily.
Victoria shook her head meekly. "Please don't say that. I'm sure Adrian has hidden talents. How about this: you gave me a factory for my birthday last year. Let Adrian manage it. We can guide him through the process. Family should support each other."
She sounded impeccably gracious and considerate.
No one knew the factory was already bankrupt and drowning in debt.
This particular factory was the least valuable asset owned by the Montgomery family.
It specialized in crafting architectural scale models for the Montgomery Group.
Richard had initially handed this factory over to Victoria as a test of her capabilities.
She endured six grueling months there, learning the ropes through sheer perseverance.
Since their output was limited to real estate models, the annual dividends were pitifully low.