Madam Fina’s gaze sharpened with hostility, her expression twisted with anger. This girl dared to humiliate her in front of everyone. “Have you had enough to eat?” Gavin asked, his voice calm yet laced with a subtle edge. Liza pouted slightly. “I barely took two bites before this crowd barged in. Now, I’m too preoccupied teaching Madam Fina a lesson to finish my meal. “Though, to be honest, Madam Fina doesn’t seem particularly bright. She keeps glaring at me as if it’s my fault. If she believes being a third party is justified, then there’s really nothing more I can teach her.” Feigning innocence, Liza bit her lip. “Gavin, why doesn’t Madam Fina appreciate all the effort I’m putting into educating her on how to be a decent person? Oh well, I might as well just eat.” Gavin nodded with a slight smirk. “Go ahead. Let’s eat.” Liza sighed, her delicate features furrowed in mock frustration. “But how can I eat with this group of people looming around? Just looking at them makes me lose my appetite. “Besides, Madam Fina is sitting in a position that rightfully belonged to Miss Prudence. If Madam Fina hadn’t insisted on swapping marriages back then, Miss Prudence wouldn’t have had to marry Chairman Stone, and maybe she’d still be alive today. The Smith Family wouldn’t have severed ties with the Stone either...” “Enough, Miss Liza!” Madam Fina interjected sharply, her voice icy. “The Smith Family’s affairs are none of your concern! You’re merely Gavin’s woman—and don’t forget, he’s an illegitimate child—” Liza cut her off quickly, her voice light but dripping with sarcasm. “Ah, Madam Fina, you’re absolutely right. I’m terribly sorry. I tend to be very blunt. It wasn’t my intention to bring up the matter of you being a mistress in public. “But it’s fine; you can always deny it, right? Just keep pretending it never happened.” Madam Fina’s face burned with humiliation. She prided herself on her reputation, yet Liza had ripped through her facade effortlessly. Her composure cracked. “What exactly do you want from me?” she hissed. Feigning hurt, Liza tilted her head innocently. “Oh, Madam Fina, don’t get so upset. I didn’t mean to offend you earlier. After all, what’s done is done. Aren’t you living comfortably now? If you’re this angry, though, doesn’t that mean everything I said is true?” At that moment, Sam stepped forward. His demeanor was calm, but his voice carried a hint of warning. “Miss Liza, the internal matters of the Smith Family are not for outsiders to meddle in. I hope you’ll refrain from making baseless accusations.” Liza looked unimpressed. “Fair enough. If you, as her nephew, don’t care, then why should I, an outsider, be concerned?” Her words carried a biting implication—Sam was complicit in ignoring the injustice done to his mother. His indifference only highlighted his lack of filial piety. Sam’s expression darkened, but he maintained his composure. “Miss Liza, perhaps we could have a private word?” Liza shook her head decisively. “That won’t be necessary.” The Smith Family collectively froze in frustration. This woman was truly impossible to deal with! Liza sat down with deliberate calm, taking a few bites of food before throwing her chopsticks down in frustration. “Gavin, these people are unbearable. I’ve completely lost my appetite. Let’s leave.” Several young members of the Smith Family sneered and shouted, “Hah! Gavin, your mother was nothing more than a mistress! She caused the death of our eldest miss, and yet you dare to act so high and mighty in front of us? Have you no shame?” Liza halted in her tracks, her expression turning icy. Slowly, she turned back to face them, her sharp gaze locking onto Madam Fina. “Madam Fina.” Madam Fina stiffened, her anger barely concealed beneath her carefully composed facade. Liza’s voice was calm but laced with an undercurrent of authority. “You, more than anyone, should know the truth about whether Gavin is truly an illegitimate child.” She took a step closer to Madam Fina, leaning in slightly as her tone dropped to a whisper only they could hear. “You’ve allowed this lie to persist because you’re well aware he isn’t. You did this out of jealousy—jealousy of Miss Prudence, whose beauty and grace far outshone yours. She was the legitimate daughter, the one born to the first wife, while you were the illegitimate one. “That’s why you orchestrated this farce, ensuring that her son would live his life burdened with the disgrace of being labeled illegitimate. You wanted him to carry that stain and suffer endlessly, just as you’ve always envied his mother’s rightful place.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile as she straightened, her tone now laced with finality. “What you didn’t anticipate was that Gavin would rise above it all. He’s now the head of the Stone, untouchable and beyond your schemes. Your petty plan has amounted to nothing more than a fantasy.”Taking Gavin’s hand firmly, Liza led him out of the room without sparing another glance. Behind them, Madam Fina stood frozen, her face pale as her heart raced. Her mind swirled with panic. How could Liza possibly know all of this? Once outside and seated in the car, Liza’s earlier composure gave way to indignation. She turned to Gavin, her expression fiery as she grabbed his hand. “Why didn’t you say anything while they were attacking you back there?” Gavin’s response was calm, almost dismissive. “There was no need.” “How could it not be necessary?” Liza retorted, her frustration spilling over. “If you don’t defend yourself, they’ll keep believing their own lies!” “It doesn’t matter what they believe,” Gavin replied, his voice steady. “In the end, they’ll face the consequences of their actions.” Though his tone remained measured, a flicker of icy resolve glimmered in his eyes, sending a chill through the air.