Brandon’s face turned pale the moment he heard Gavin’s words. Panic surged through him as he recalled his parents’ strict warning before he came: under no circumstances was he to offend the head of the family. Being thrown out of Longwan Residential wasn’t just about losing face—it would bring shame to his parents and become a source of ridicule for the entire extended family. The mere thought of it was unbearable. And the root cause of this predicament? None other than Serena. If she hadn’t spoken so recklessly, they wouldn’t have offended Mrs. Stone in the first place. Gritting his teeth, he spun around and snapped at Serena, his voice laced with anger. “Serena, apologize to Mrs. Stone right now!” Serena’s face flushed, then turned deathly pale. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as her heart filled with indignation. Why should I apologize to that woman? she thought bitterly. But deep down, she knew the stakes. If Gavin truly ordered her out, the consequences would be catastrophic.If she were to be humiliated like this, even Brandon might begin to resent her. His mother, who had been cordial so far, might start questioning whether she was good enough for their family. And once the gossip spread, her social standing would take a nosedive. Swallowing her pride, Serena steeled herself. I’ll endure this for now, she thought. But I’ll make sure to repay this humiliation someday. She forced the words out through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “I’m sorry.” Liza, however, didn’t even glance her way. She leisurely plucked another grape from the plate and popped it into her mouth, seemingly unbothered. The butler stepped forward at that moment, his demeanor calm and measured. “Madam,” he began, his tone respectful, “please don’t hold it against Miss Serena. She’s been through some difficult times recently. Her sister betrayed her and even tried to take her fiancé. Perhaps seeing your beauty made her feel insecure and act out.”Liza blinked, surprised. Was the butler using this as an opportunity to compliment my looks? she thought, amused. His tact was impeccable. Gavin raised an eyebrow, shooting a curious glance at the butler. It was as though he were seeing a new side of the man he’d worked with for years. Unfazed by the attention, the butler remained composed, his expression steady and professional. Liza, meanwhile, discarded the grape skin onto the plate and reached for a tissue to clean the juice from her fingers. Her movements were elegant and unhurried as she finally addressed Serena, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. “So, Miss Serena, you’re saying your sister seduced your fiancé?” Tears welled up in Serena’s eyes as she looked toward Brandon, her expression pitiful. “Yes,” she said shakily, “but that’s all in the past now. I don’t think she did it on purpose. Her circumstances made her desperate for money, and she made a mistake by trying to seduce Brandon. She even became an old man’s mistress…” As soon as the words left her mouth, Serena gasped and clapped a hand over her lips. Her eyes widened in faux horror as she quickly stammered, “No, no, I didn’t mean that! My sister didn’t actually become a mistress!” Her panicked denial only made it more obvious that she had deliberately let the comment slip, hoping to tarnish her sister’s reputation under the guise of a careless mistake. Liza let out a soft sigh, her expression filled with feigned pity as she turned her gaze toward Serena. “Oh, so that’s the situation? You really have it tough. Brother Gavin, why don’t we let this go? There’s no need to be too hard on her, right?” Gavin raised an eyebrow and reached for a grape. Slowly, he peeled the skin away with precision, then gently held it up to Liza’s lips. His voice was calm and low, carrying a hint of indulgence. “Of course. Since Mrs. Stone has spoken, how could I disagree?” Liza blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard. The grape hovered at her lips, and she hesitated, unsure whether to eat it. Then, under the table where no one could see, she shot a sharp glare at Gavin. Reluctantly, she swallowed the grape, regaining her composure. With a hint of playful curiosity, she turned her attention back to Serena. Gavin,” she began innocently, “didn’t you once tell me that Brandon’s fiancée was named Liza? Or did I misremember? Has that person now changed her name to Serena?” Her question hit like a thunderbolt. Serena froze in place, her face draining of color as shock rippled through her. The room grew eerily silent, the tension palpable. All eyes turned toward Serena, curiosity replacing the earlier sympathy. Whispers began to stir in the air, and the shift in the room’s mood was unmistakable. Feigning confusion, Liza scanned the room, her expression innocent. “Did I say something wrong? But I clearly remember hearing that name before. At the time, I even thought to myself how lovely the name Liza sounded.”Gavin’s lips twitched ever so slightly, a flicker of exasperation crossing his face. Flattering yourself now? Really? Still, his voice remained composed, and his gaze cold as he supported her narrative. “No, you’re not mistaken. Her name was indeed Liza.” Serena instinctively opened her mouth to protest but was cut off by Liza, who adjusted her sunglasses and continued as though she hadn’t noticed the rising panic in Serena’s eyes. “Oh, so I didn’t get it wrong,” Liza mused aloud. “Did you change your name, then? Liza was such a beautiful name. Why would you switch to Serena? It doesn’t have the same pleasant ring to it—it’s almost... jarring.” Serena’s face contorted with suppressed fury, her fists clenching tightly at her sides. She could feel the mocking eyes of the room boring into her, but she dared not utter a word. Resting her chin on her hand, Liza sighed dramatically. “You know, I remember seeing Liza from a distance once. She left such an impression on me. She was breathtaking—so graceful, so striking. But now… you seem different. You don’t look nearly as good as the Liza I saw back then. And your demeanor doesn’t come close either. Could it be…” She tilted her head, as though pondering a deep mystery. “Did you have plastic surgery? It’s such a shame if that’s the case. You had such a naturally beautiful face, and you altered it to… this? What a waste of such blessings.”