I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 494

Sienna met her icy gaze without flinching.

"Maeve, if this wasn't a Fletcher Group event, I wouldn't have bothered saying a word. I'm only stepping in out of respect for Finn."

She paused, letting the silence stretch. "You mentioned I'm unfamiliar with the protocol. But before arriving, I actually reviewed the historical proceedings for the charity auction. It's true that the opening gavel is historically struck by a female member of the Fletcher family. However, there is a fundamental prerequisite..."

Her gaze swept across the transfixed audience.

"The individual must possess a significant degree of social standing and positive public influence. So tell me, Sasha Beaumont—which of those do you actually possess?"

Sasha's face flushed a violent, humiliating crimson.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't force a single word past her teeth.

She had spent the better part of the year failing the Health Commission exams.

She had quit her previous job to study.

In the eyes of society, she was currently completely unemployed—a wealthy freeloader with no title, no career, and absolutely zero independent social standing.

Sienna's surgical strike completely eviscerated her carefully constructed facade.

Another socialite suddenly chimed in, her voice carrying clearly across the room.

"Ms. Sterling makes a phenomenal point. If you ask me, she is the only appropriate candidate. Setting her relationship with Mr. Fletcher aside, she's the Lead Inspector for the Health Commission, the youngest female official in her department, and the sole owner of Serenity Books. Any one of those titles makes her overqualified."

She offered a saccharine smile.

"Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Beaumont?"

Sasha's face shifted from crimson to a sickly, furious purple. She felt like she was going to hyperventilate.

The Health Commission position should have been hers!

If Sienna hadn't stolen it, she wouldn't be enduring this waking nightmare!

Her lips trembled as she practically spat out her response.

"Yes, Sienna is just so impressive. Let's not forget she used to be Silas Hayes's girlfriend."

She tilted her chin up, deliberately raising her voice for maximum exposure.

Getting publicly humiliated by Finn was the ultimate nightmare.

He forced a stiff, conciliatory laugh and stepped forward.

"Finn, our families go back decades. There's no need to make this so hostile. You and my sister grew up together; you know she's just used to joking around with you. I apologize for the scene."

Desperately masking his boiling rage, he violently signaled for Sasha to step down.

"Enough nonsense. Get over here."

Still hovering near the main stage, Sasha absolutely refused to surrender her moment of glory.

"I was personally invited by Maeve! I have every right to be up here, unlike some people who—"

Finn released Sienna's hand and took two menacing steps forward.

He stared down at Sasha, his eyes radiating absolute zero.

"Sasha Beaumont. Since you're so desperate for the spotlight, I'll gladly shine it on you. Let's go ahead and lay every single despicable crime you've committed out on the table for the entire city to see."