?Chapter 789:

    Raegan sneered, realizing that her earlierparison was utterly ridiculous. She had no interest in earning favor with the illegitimate son when she could seek approval from the true Cooper family. Wasting no time, she mocked him.

    “An illegitimate son? What a crude and rough character.”

    Her words weren’t loud, but they carried far enough for many ears to hear, stirring a ripple of whispers through the crowd. Then she shot Maia a scornful look. Anyone who stood beside such a reckless and unrefined man could hardly be trusted or respected.

    At first, Maia had no intention of bing involved with Mariana and the others. But hearing them sneer at Chris with such arrogant disdain made her irritation spike.

    She stepped forward, her gaze sharp and cold, her lips curving with faint sarcasm.

    “As CEO of Radiant Jewels, belittling guests at the gallery in public is certainly… ‘graceful.’ Perhaps this is the true style of yourpany.”

    Maia’s words struck like a de, leaving both Raegan and Kiley flushed with embarrassment.

    Meanwhile, Chris — the target of their insults — couldn’t stop the proud smile that tugged at his lips when he heard his wife defend him.

    Just then, Alice, who had invited Maia to the exhibition, was boiling with anger. She opened her mouth to retort but stopped when the crowd suddenly parted.

    The director of the Gascoyne Museum, Grover, rushed forward.

    “Pardon me. Can you exin what’s going on here?” Grover asked as he approached. His brow knitted slightly, his tone carrying the quiet courtesy expected of a true Otruitho gentleman.

    He studied the scene carefully until his eyesnded on Alice, who still looked visibly upset.

    Alice stepped closer, her emotions running high, and spoke faster than usual. “Mr. Perez, these women have insulted my mentor and thrown the exhibition into chaos. Would you kindly have them removed?”

    ???????????? с?????????????? g??????????????????????

    But before she could finish, Grover’s gaze shifted past her and locked onto the woman standing coolly on the opposite side.

    He immediately recognized her — Kiley.

    At once, his expression changed. Grover cleared his throat, shifting uneasily, then leaned toward Alice and lowered his voice with effort. “Alice, that’s Ms. Kiley Cooper. She’s the CEO of Radiant Jewels and one of the sponsors of this exhibit. It wouldn’t be wise to ask her to leave.”

    Alice froze, stunned, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her fiery anger. She hadn’t expected the woman to be someone of such weight.

    Before Alice could recover, Kiley spoke, her voice sharp and frosty. “Mr. Perez, I don’t think these people should even be here. As a sponsor, I have the authority to have them escorted out immediately.”

    Her wordsnded like a thunderp.

    The room fell into silence, every eye turning to Grover, waiting for his judgment.

    Grover’s face grew tense, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. On one side stood a major sponsor; on the other, a lifelong friend. He was trapped between a rock and a hard ce.

    Just then, a faint sound drifted from the direction of the disy stand. Quiet yet crisp, it cut through the stillness like fate itself shifting course.

    .

    .

    .