Divorced and Pregnant My New Life with a Billionaire Drives My Ex Crazy novel Chapter 843

As for the public's opinion, maintaining a decent facade would have been enough.

But tonight was a situation he had meticulously orchestrated. If anything else went wrong, the Thompson family would find it nearly impossible to maintain their foothold in Easton Heights. He absolutely could not allow the situation to descend into further chaos.

Turning sharply, Olive delivered a vicious slap to Arthur's face. "You bastard! You think you can just deny your past actions whenever you please? I never raised you to be an irresponsible man!"

The sharp, ringing crack of the slap echoed through the room, leaving the entire banquet hall in stunned silence.

Olive was giving his second son no respect whatsoever. What kind of scolding was that? Did he think a history of womanizing was justified? Still, the guests murmured that Arthur's refusal to take responsibility was indeed wrong. Since his daughter had already been found, why refuse to acknowledge her? The Thompson family was wealthy enough that an extra illegitimate daughter would hardly matter, whereas leaving her out in the cold would only invite public scorn.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, this time pointing fingers at Arthur's lack of responsibility.

"Mr. Thompson, if she's your daughter, you should just acknowledge her."

"Exactly. Look at how heartbroken the poor girl is. She must have suffered so much before finally making her way back."

"Children shouldn't have to pay for the sins of their parents."

"It really breaks the young lady's heart. Being locked up and denied by her own biological father is just too pitiful."

Arthur kept his face turned to the side, five swollen red finger marks instantly raised on his cheek. He acted as though he had not heard a single word of the crowd's well-meaning advice. He merely reached up and gently wiped away a drop of blood from his split lip.

As Olive's words hung in the air, the whispers among the guests instantly grew louder. People exchanged significant glances, and a few quietly raised their phones to record the unfolding drama.

Elena trembled with rage. Pointing a shaking finger at Olive, she could no longer maintain her poised facade, her voice violently trembling. "Bloodline? What bloodline does this family even have left? A filthy, contaminated bloodline? It's all flowing down from you, you despicable, shameless hypocrite!"

Olive could no longer suppress the furious rage surging in his chest. What did this old woman just say? Glaring at her with murderous intent, he raised his hand to deliver a brutal slap to Elena's face, but Arthur lunged forward and forcefully swatted his arm away.

"That is enough!" Arthur snarled. "Touch a single hair on my mother's head, and see what happens..."

Arthur's temperament had always mirrored his mother's.