Chapter 10 A Lesson in Manners

Rowena stood tall, unbothered by the gasps echoing around them. She casually rubbed her stinging palm and stared down at the stunned woman. "That is correct," Rowena confirmed, her tone flat. "It's because you speak foul, slanderous words."

She paused, letting her gaze sweep over the onlookers before fixing back on Daphne. "It looks like the Thorne family failed to educate their own children in basic manners. You only know how to spit disgusting nonsense." Rowena took a step closer, her voice turning icy. "So what if I was married? Did someone pass a rule banning divorcees from attending this event? Or are you telling me your own brother never married before? You tried to ruin my reputation with those vile words about my past and the orphanage. Let me make this clear. I have every legal right to sue you for public defamation."

Humiliated by the slap from a woman she used to mercilessly bully without consequence, Daphne lost her mind.

"You b*tch, I'm going to kill you!" Daphne shrieked. Baring her manicured claws, she lunged forward, aiming straight for Rowena's face.

Reacting with lightning speed, Pierce smoothly wrapped his strong arm around Rowena's waist. He pulled her flush against his solid chest, shielding her from the incoming attack.

Simultaneously, Kingston rushed over in long strides. He aggressively intercepted his sister's wild lunge, grabbing Daphne's arm and fiercely yanking her back.

His dark eyes blazed with fury as he stared his sister down. "How long do you plan to keep up this embarrassing public act?" Kingston demanded, his voice chilling the air. "Apologize to Rowena. Now."

Daphne’s jaw dropped. She stared at him, aghast and betrayed. "Kingston, I'm your sister! She just hit me, and you're siding with her? You want me to apologize to this b*tch?"

Kingston’s intense fury rippled out, palpable to everyone within a ten-foot radius. "I possess working eyes," he stated firmly. "I know exactly who is in the wrong and who is not in this scenario."

He locked eyes with his sister, delivering a final ultimatum in a tone that brooked zero argument. "I will only say this one last time. Apologize right now."

Cornered by her brother's overwhelming authority, Daphne opened her mouth, prepared to argue and rebel. Before she could ruin things further, Bianca swiftly stepped in and embraced Daphne tightly from behind.

Leaning close, Bianca urgently whispered into Daphne's ear. "Daphne, stop. King is protecting you. He can't let Rowena slap you with a massive lawsuit. We are smart girls. We still have a long way to go to win this war. Back down for now."

Swallowing her pride, Daphne forced her head down. She bitterly muttered a strained apology through gritted teeth. "Sorry."

Her face burned a bright, humiliating red. She ripped herself out of Kingston's grip and immediately fled the grand hall. A concerned-looking Bianca hurried closely behind her.

With the explosive commotion settled and the whispers dying down, the soft-jazz atmosphere awkwardly resumed.

Pierce kept his protective arm lingering near Rowena's waist. He frowned deeply in the exact direction Daphne had fled, then leaned down. "Are you going to let her off that easy?" he asked, his tone casual yet serious. "I can find someone reliable to discreetly give her a brutal alleyway beating in revenge."

Hearing this dark offer, Rowena burst into musical laughter. She playfully nudged his broad shoulder. "What revenge? I'm not angry in the slightest. She is only capable of spouting useless rubbish. Plus, unlike her, I got a fantastic deal out of this exchange. I got to slap her."

Pierce stared at her, left speechless by her logic. Deep amusement flickered in his chest as he realized his supposedly delicate princess possessed quite a fierce side.

Standing mere yards away, Kingston was busy socializing with top-tier executives, but he could not stop himself from catching sight of Rowena from the corner of his eye. Watching her smile so sweetly and intimately at Pierce sent an unexplainable, heavy wave of annoyance crashing over his entire body.

He tightened his grip on his glass. He quickly rationalized the burning sensation in his chest as lingering irritation at being previously toyed with by a manipulative woman.

Dozens of agonizing minutes later, Daphne quietly slinked back into the hall with Bianca. The swelling mark on her cheek had been carefully concealed by layers of fresh makeup. Defeated, she stood meekly behind Kingston, only occasionally shooting venomous glares directly at Rowena's back.

Midway through the lavish banquet, the classical orchestra struck up a waltz, signaling the dancing portion of the evening. As dozens of wealthy couples smoothly flooded the polished dance floor, Bianca’s eyes sparkled with desperate excitement. She straightened her posture, eagerly waiting for Kingston to reach out, take her hand, and romantically pull her into the spotlight.

Just exactly as she imagined the perfect romantic scenario playing out, Kingston finally stood up from his seat.

Yet, in the very next second, he simply picked up his glass of red wine and headed straight for the next table.