Chapter 441

Irene Valdemar's face was pale with fury.

Her eyes blazed with anger.

Sylvia Laurent stood nearby, completely oblivious to her distress.

She chimed in absently, "They really should make it up to her properly..."

Her gaze remained fixed on her younger son.

Alexander Laurent was also present today.

He held a personal invitation, pink like Olivia Lopez's.

Neither was attending on behalf of their family.

Sylvia knew her son best.

Seeing him stare unblinkingly at the stage, he was definitely watching Sophia Sullivan.

That infatuated look.

That utterly besotted expression.

She clenched her fists in anger—

So pathetic!

So humiliating!

Then she looked at Olivia Lopez...

It was even worse to watch.

That trembling excitement made her seem even more worthless than Alexander!

What kind of spell had Sophia Sullivan cast?

Why were they all so bewitched by her?

Olivia was so excited she was about to jump up.

If not for the formal setting, she would have rushed the stage already, shouting: You're the best, Clara! I love you, Clara! Clara, you're my goddess!

Julian Winston scoffed. "Anyone would think it was you being recognized by your real family."

"Shut up! I'm just happy for Clara."

With the Atlante family backing her, let's see who would dare bully her now.

"Ethan Roscente can't, you can't, and even I can't!"

Julian frowned. "When have I ever bullied her?"

"Back when you and Ethan Roscente were out partying, did you ever warn Clara? Did you ever urge Ethan to go home? Did you?"

"That was between husband and wife. What business was it of mine?"

"Besides, with Ethan's temper, who could have talked any sense into him?"

Men always preferred to play it safe.

Afraid of offending people.

Afraid of being caught in the middle.

But a true friend wouldn't stand by and watch someone suffer.

Olivia sneered. "You men, you're all the same."

Julian Winston, "..."

What did that have to do with him?

But Sophia Sullivan actually being an Atlante was truly shocking.

Ethan Roscente must be over the moon right now.

On stage, after the old couple finished their words of thanks, they suddenly pulled Isabella Sullivan forward.

Facing the crowd, they solemnly announced—

"From today onward, Minmin is the Atlante family's one and only daughter. We ask for your continued support and kindness."

The entire hall fell silent.

The air froze solid.

One and only daughter?

What did that mean?

Weren't there two Atlante daughters?

Irene Valdemar married into the wealthy Valdemar family.

How could she suddenly not count?

Sebastian Evans froze, his gaze shifting between the old couple in shock.

He barely held back the urge to demand an explanation.

Isabella Sullivan exchanged a look with David Sullivan.

So this was it.

The old lady's trump card was here.

This storm had finally arrived.

But...

Publicly disowning Irene was too ruthless.

Florence Atlante never concerned herself with such things.

Irene harmed her Minmin, so she shouldn't blame her for being merciless.

It was a relationship without blood ties to begin with.

Raising Irene and marrying her into a wealthy family was already more than enough kindness.

From now on, they were just strangers!

Below the stage, Irene was still furious about the old couple's secrecy.

Today, she was the only one here with an invitation.

Theodore Valdemar was nowhere to be seen.

He hadn't been home since their last confrontation.

Irene thought he would have told the old couple.

But after observing for so long, the old couple never confronted her.

Knowing them, if they knew the truth, they would never let her off the hook.

She spent day after day in anxiety.

The Lantern Festival passed, and everything remained calm.

Irene finally relaxed.

Presumably, Isabella Sullivan had no proof and didn't dare upset the old couple.

Heaven was helping her!

But now, what was she hearing?

The Atlante family's one and only daughter?

It was Isabella?!

The old couple clearly meant exactly that!

A guest couldn't help but ask—

"Sir, did you misspeak? Doesn't the Atlante family have two daughters?"

Instantly, all eyes focused on Isabella Sullivan on stage and Irene Valdemar below.

Isaac Atlante smiled. "I may be old, but my mind is clear. I can tell loyalty from treachery, good from evil. Some ungrateful wretches are better off forgotten!"

These words practically pointed directly at Irene, calling her "treacherous," an "ungrateful wretch"!

Better off forgotten...

The old man was publicly announcing he was severing ties with Irene Valdemar!

The guests erupted in murmurs.

"That seems excessive!"

"There must be more to the story!"

"Cutting off the adopted daughter as soon as the biological one returns? Anyone can guess the adopted daughter did something wrong."

"I heard the Valdemars originally wanted Isabella Sullivan. They only settled for Irene Valdemar because Isabella went missing..."