"How dare you?" Selina rounded up on Sharon. "What gives you the nerve to insult Violet here, after putting her through horror? Do you think we have forgotten or forgiven you? Unlike you, Violet was born and brought up in class. Yet she's such a fine lady in character that she's kindhearted and easygoing enough to courteously relate to the less fortunate. How dare you disparage her like that? You overrate yourself, but in all honesty, you've got nothing on Violet as far as class and elegance are concerned. Heck, you'll never even come closer to it. Are you still deluded with the idea that your desperate marriage to a rich man will somehow give you class?"
"I'm just not as lucky as you are, Selina. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. And you grew up in an elite military family. If I were born in such a family, I don't think you'd have anything on me," Sharon shouted back, her head reeling with a mixture of anger and jealousy. Anger at being vilified in public and jealousy at Selina's privilege and hubris.
"Oh yeah! You're only a little better than a tramp!" Selina returned with a contemptuous sneer. "Get her out of here. I don't know how she got the idea of gatecrashing at our party!" she said to Mike, who all along had stood by the side watching.
In a flash, Mike signaled his crew by a wave of his hand in the air and out nowhere, four bulky men in black suits and dark glasses strode to Sharon, like automatons programmed to obey commands without a thinking.
"Hey! What are you going to do to me?" Sharon asked, sudden terror gripping her. "Did you trick me to come here so that you could revenge for what I did to your sister?" she added, watching Lawrence with pleading eyes. A lot of things ran through her mind. 'If he is going to take revenge on me, I'm as good as dead, ' she thought.
"I'm gonna make you pay the full price for your mistakes," Lawrence answered with an impassive look, stressing every syllable for effect. He had successfully put Sharon down at the party today. He didn't even consider her his opponent. Regardless of this, he wouldn't let her go easily.
The instant Lawrence said that, the four men bundled Sharon out of the party. Desperately, she flailed and floundered, as she tried to wiggle herself out of their grips.
At this moment, Derek drew close to Selina. "You shouldn't have acted so emotionally," he admonished his sister sternly.
"Why do you speak for her, Derek? She hurt Violet!" Selina retorted, feeling disappointed in her brother.
"But she is Fred's wife. You know that the Xiao family is a respectable family in the city," Derek continued with a frown. 'Why does she always have to act rashly? She should have thought carefully before subjecting Sharon to such shame in front of everyone, ' he sighed, letting out the tension that had built inside.
But Selina didn't argue with her brother anymore.
Silently, Alice and Tim glanced at each other, and then in wonder back to Greg. While Sharon had been locked in a fight with Lawrence and Selina, Greg did nothing. He just stood still, not even a hint of emotion showing on his face.
Meanwhile, the guests freely mingled in small groups, talking and chuckling against soft music in background. Some discussed work, some exchanged friendly small talk, while a few were more inclined to juicy gossips about recent scandals among the rich families.
Lawrence and Mike drank together, while Ivy stood behind him. Ivy looked around, feeling at a loss. She didn't know anyone at the party except for her boss. She had caught a glimpse of Rebecca, but she couldn't find a chance to talk to her with the crowds milling around.
Lawrence turned a sidelong glance to find Ivy staring around.
"Who are you looking for?" Lawrence asked indifferently.
"Oh, nothing," Ivy replied immediately.
Seeing Lawrence talking to Ivy, Mike let out a wicked smile. "My friends at the party are waiting for me. I have to go now. See you later!" he began.
Then he turned around and walked off with a glass of wine.
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