The spontaneous display of affection might have seemed forward to some. For a young child to so freely touch the face of a venerable elder and kiss his forehead could be viewed as overly familiar, even presumptuous. Madilyn was on the verge of reprimanding such boldness when Charles spoke first, his voice warm and unbothered. "Alright. Whatever my dear boy says. I will be good and listen." "Good!" Robert beamed, then looked over at Chloe. "Your turn, Mommy!" A soft smile touched Chloe's lips. She glanced at the scene on the stage, then her gaze shifted briefly to Eugene, who gave her a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Without further preamble, Chloe turned and, under the watchful eyes of the entire assembly, ascended the steps to the stage, walking directly to Scott. Facing her father, she calmly ignored Monique and Carolyn standing beside him. "My apologies," she said, her voice clear. "There was an accident on the road. The car is a total loss. Fortunately, I ran into Lawrence and his party and was able to ride with them." "What?" Scott's face paled at the words "car accident". "Are you alright? Were you hurt?" "It would seem someone didn't want me at this banquet," Chloe replied, her tone light but carrying to every corner of the silent hall. A low murmur swept through the crowd. So it wasn't a snub or arrogance—she had been in a serious accident. A totaled car suggested a horrific crash. The thought sent a chill through many present. Chloe held Scott's gaze. "Mr. Lewis, I hope my delay hasn't interfered with your plans." All of Scott's earlier frustration melted away, replaced by profound relief. "Not at all. You're right on time. Chloe, I'm just so glad you're here." With a slight nod, Chloe turned and took her place beside Scott. Standing together, Monique and Carolyn were instantly overshadowed. In height, poise, and sheer presence, Carolyn seemed to diminish next to Chloe. Chloe was stunning. Her beauty was regal and arresting, the kind one didn't forget. Her dress was exquisite—what designer was it? No one could recall seeing anything quite like it. The men in the room were captivated, struck by her beauty and the quiet authority she carried. Even the women couldn't help but look twice. She possessed a natural magnetism. Scott took Chloe's hand and led her to the front of the stage, addressing the crowd. "My sincere apologies, everyone. My daughter was delayed due to an accident on her way here. Thank you for your patience." Following his lead, Chloe stepped forward and offered a slight, gracious bow. "My apologies to you all for the wait." "You're here now, Ms. Lewis, that's what matters!" "Good heavens, a total loss? That must have been terrifying. We're just relieved you're safe." "Yes, your well-being is the most important thing!" Words of reassurance flowed from the audience. To Jennifer, each one felt like a stinging slap. She stared at Chloe standing so prominently on the stage, radiant and unscathed, and felt a fury so intense it was suffocating. Why won't this bitch just die?! Everything had been meticulously arranged. The driver in the other car was dead—a perfect, untraceable end. It should have been logged as a tragic, random accident. No one would ever have suspected a setup. But now... Here Chloe stood, perfectly fine. The only evidence of any ordeal was a minor scratch on her cheek, barely worth noting. Damn it. Damn it all! Jennifer trembled with rage. If she'd had a knife in her hand at that moment, she might have lunged. Just you wait. Her anger was so all-consuming she barely registered her own actions, her grip tightening violently. She forgot she was holding Madilyn's arm. "Ow!" Madilyn yelped, jerking her hand back as Jennifer's nails dug in. "What is wrong with you?" Jennifer snapped back to the present. Seeing Madilyn's furious glare, she realized where they were. She quickly forced an apologetic smile. "Madilyn, I'm so sorry!" she whispered, leaning close. "Seeing that woman show up like this... It just made my blood boil. You understand, don't you?" Who wasn't annoyed? Madilyn was seething herself. The explanation placated her, and she gave a terse, quiet nod, swallowing her own irritation.