Chapter 291

Victoria stood poised on stage, acutely aware of the murmurs rippling through the crowd below. Yet she held herself with the grace of a royal swan, chin lifted defiantly, her spirit unbroken by their whispers.

Let them talk, Victoria thought with a smirk. My glorious future is just beginning, while they'll forever remain insignificant tadpoles in their muddy ponds!

"Nathan! You need to see this!" Julian's voice cut through the air as he thrust his phone toward Nathan, his eyes wide with shock.

The screen displayed a viral hashtag burning across social media - #NathanAndVictoriasEngagement - its bold letters piercing through Nathan's stormy gaze like daggers.

Julian leaned in urgently. "I'm completely lost here. Didn't you tell me you were ending things with Victoria? Why is your stepmother announcing your engagement? It's everywhere! Even Leonard isn't objecting. What kind of game are they playing?"

A deafening roar filled Nathan's ears as his fists clenched, the fabric of his tailored suit straining over his rigid muscles.

He felt like a bowstring pulled to its breaking point, his chest constricting with barely contained fury that threatened to erupt at any moment.

Then -

The massive LED screen behind Victoria, which had been displaying elegant floating cherry blossoms, suddenly went black.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Is this part of the show?"

"Technical difficulties?"

As confused whispers spread, the screen flickered back to life - but instead of floral motifs, it now displayed a photograph of a young girl.

The child in the image was painfully thin, her matted hair framing a tear-streaked face. Her ragged clothes hung loosely on her tiny frame, her expression one of utter despair.

The heartbreaking image immediately stirred sympathy among the guests.

"Oh my God! Who is this poor child?"

"Is Ms. Sterling using her birthday gala for a charity appeal? I'd be happy to donate!"

Hearing the murmurs, Victoria and Margaret spun around to see the screen. "What's happening?" Penelope asked, her voice laced with alarm.

"That filthy urchin!" Victoria's perfectly painted lips twisted in disgust. "How did this mistake happen at my celebration?"

Margaret turned ghostly pale, leaping from her seat as if scalded. "Turn it off!" she shrieked, pointing wildly at the screen. "Shut it down immediately!"

Her hysterical reaction drew bewildered stares from nearby guests, including Leonard and Richard who exchanged confused glances at her disproportionate response.

Then a gravelly voice cut through the murmurs: "Why shut it down?"

Victoria's blood ran cold as she searched the crowd. When her eyes landed on Dominic's menacing figure emerging from the shadows, she nearly fainted from terror.

Cold sweat drenched her designer gown as her legs trembled uncontrollably. Her carefully crafted mask of composure cracked, revealing raw panic beneath.

Dominic stepped into the spotlight, his rugged appearance instantly commanding attention. "How touching," he sneered. "While you're here gorging on champagne and caviar, this child - your daughter, Victoria - suffers daily abuse at a Silvercrest orphanage. Tell me, do you even have a conscience left?"