CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 206: SLANDERING FLORENCE LYNCH’S BACKGROUND

"What kind of woman is that? Bringing a child and still marrying Declan Hawthorne?"

"She looks pretty good, but who knows what tactics she used to climb up."

One of the women sneered.

"Then she’s got it all wrong, just watch, she’ll be dumped sooner or later. Does she really think the Hawthorne Family is such an easy catch?"

"Aren’t all these women like this? They think just because they have some looks, they can conquer the world."

Amber Yates turned her head.

Grinding her teeth in anger.

Why would they talk about Poppy!

She was just about to go over for a confrontation when she saw the two women walking towards Jackie Barrett.

They were dressed extravagantly, each one wearing jewelry worth hundreds of thousands.

Amber Yates swallowed back her anger.

Janine, "What are you doing?"

"I’m furious, want to curse them out, but they dress too well, can’t afford to offend, or my parents will scold me later."

The Hawthorne Family’s little princess was having her birthday; the cake itself was five figures, and there were eight of them, all with different designs.

The arrangement in the exhibition hall was equally exquisite.

And the invited guests were naturally not from ordinary families.

Amber Yates couldn’t afford to offend.

Perhaps it was best to let Poppy Hale handle it herself.

It’s not that she doesn’t want to help, it’s that she can’t afford to anger them.

Amber Yates was just about to look for Poppy Hale when she had another idea and took Janine along to approach Jackie Barrett.

Jackie Barrett felt a sense of familiarity seeing Janine.

"You two are Poppy’s friends, right? Aren’t you surnamed Janine?"

Janine responded gracefully, "Yes, my grandfather and your father were comrades in the same military district."

"Oh, I thought you looked familiar. Is your grandfather still well?"

"He’s doing well. He heard I was coming here and asked me to wish Florence a happy birthday on his behalf."

Jackie Barrett’s face lit up with a bright smile.

"Oh dear, your grandfather is too polite! You seem like you come from the military district too?"

"I retired from active duty due to injuries in mission, didn’t take a position provided by the organization, and ended up working with Poppy."

Janine looked sharp with a touch of gallantry, dressed simply today and without jewelry.

A clean and tidy, neat and breezy appearance.

Amber Yates hugged Jackie Barrett’s arm, smiling sweetly, "Florence’s grandmother, Florence used to always brag to us about how you pampered her, and now we’ve finally met you in person!"

Jackie Barrett’s exaggerated expression overflowed with happiness and joy.

"Oh, really? Florence talked about me to you guys?"

"Yeah, bragging to my daughter about her beloved little dog and her Princess Elsa dress and those several pairs of Crystal Shoes, all of which you gifted her."

These things were indeed all gifts from Jackie Barrett.

It’s clear Amber Yates wasn’t spouting nonsense to make her happy.

Jackie Barrett’s wrinkles turned into radiant beams.

Full of joy.

Amber Yates shifted her focus.

Looking at the two women in front of her.

"Florence’s grandmother, are these two Florence’s relatives?"

"Oh, no, they are daughters of some old friends of our family’s patriarch, who came to gather today."

No relatives, so it was easier to deal with.

Amber Yates covered her mouth with her hand, but spoke "quietly" enough so that the two women opposite could hear, "They were speaking badly of our Poppy, saying Poppy is seducing President Hawthorne, and that President Hawthorne will surely divorce Poppy."

Amber Yates added, "Also said our Florence is just a little girl, not suited for such a grand occasion."

Jackie Barrett changed faces like she had learned the art of quick facial transformations from Sichuan opera.

The smile on her face vanished without a trace.

As a long-time honorary position holder, her fury carried monumental momentum.

The two women across from her felt intimidated.

She gave Amber Yates, who was speaking badly, a fierce glare.

This woman, she seemed to believe they hadn’t heard her!

Complaining right before them, what was she doing?

But after all, those words they had indeed spoken.

Jackie Barrett put on a stern expression.

"My son’s marriage is nothing for you to worry about. If Declan ever gets divorced, it’s not because there’s anything wrong with my daughter-in-law."

"As for Florence, our family is willing to pamper and love her. If your family doesn’t care about your daughters, that’s none of Florence’s business."

These words were already quite serious.

The tone sounded calm and gentle.

But Jackie Barrett’s attitude was very serious.

The two women muttered an awkward apology.

Feeling embarrassed and out of place.

They wanted to make trouble for Amber Yates, but when they considered how Jackie Barrett had been so courteous to Janine just now, they were unsure of the familial relationships involved.

At home, they certainly didn’t hold high status; causing trouble wouldn’t be shielded by home, so they decided to leave.

Jackie Barrett was still somewhat angry.

She called a servant over, "Where is Declan?"

"The young master is in the children’s room playing games with the little miss and other little misses and young masters."

The servants were surprised.

Never did they expect that after becoming a father, Declan Hawthorne was such a responsible and serious dad.

It’s rare even in wealthy families, and among common folk, he was considered an extraordinary good man.

Not to mention the young master was so devoted to the young mistress.

For them.

Those society ladies gossiping earlier were just bitter.

Jackie Barrett gave some instructions to inform Declan about what had just happened.

She was still quite angry.

"In our family, Poppy shouldn’t endure grievances. If there’s an issue, come at me. Bullying a young girl, what’s the point?"

Amber Yates sincerely said, "Mrs. Hawthorne, you’re truly wonderful. Poppy will surely be happy in your family."

Jackie Barrett sighed.

"You guys are Poppy’s friends; she was so brave carrying Florence alone, you know how tough it was better than I do. She suffered so much, and to be mistreated again here, what’s the point of marrying into this family?"

Amber Yates and Janine exchanged a look.

Seeing the comfort and gratitude in each other’s eyes.

Actually, Jackie Barrett wasn’t trying to prove anything by saying those words.

She just wanted Poppy Hale to feel that the choice to grit her teeth and bring Florence to the Hawthorne Family.

Would be a decision she wouldn’t regret looking back at any time.

And that was enough.

-

After the party, news of the much-loved little princess in the Hawthorne Family spread quickly.

The media only caught a few photos with faces hidden.

Knowing the Hawthorne Family doted on their little daughter.

Soon.

From somewhere, some rumors started to brew.

Saying Florence was actually a child born of illegal surrogacy by Hugo Hawthorne and Jackie Barrett, and in order not to tarnish the Hawthorne Family reputation, they deliberately claimed she was the biological child of Declan Hawthorne and Poppy Hale.

In affluent circles, any juicy story, especially if it’s shocking, is believed by many.

Just like there are people who believe a certain country’s royal family actually had over a dozen princes via test tube babies with plans for future succession.

This story quickly shot up among the trending topics in a strange manner.

Even Truth Hale, who rarely surfed the internet, saw it.

Immediately forwarded it to Poppy Hale.

When Poppy Hale saw the news, she was completely dumbfounded!

Since when did Florence become Jackie Barrett’s child?

The media, incidentally, spun the matter with convincing presentation.

After reading through those posts.

Poppy Hale marveled at the writing skills, how fluently it read, and how persuasive it was.

If only she hadn’t ended up in the middle of this drama herself.