Chapter 432

Skylar's expression shifted slightly, and with an air of displeasure, she said, "Mrs. Blanchet, why are you still standing here? Haven't you left?"

"I heard about that beauty project you invested in. How did that turn out?"

Skylar stiffened. That was a loss of 500 million. Although her family was the Jenkins family, she wasn't the favored daughter, and they wouldn't help with a failed investment.

A calculating glint flashed in Eleanor's eyes. Seeking out Skylar tonight couldn't have been more opportune. She quickly pulled Skylar aside and proposed, "I truly consider you a friend, Skylar. I can lend you the 500 million to tide you over!"

Skylar's eyes brightened, and she asked haughtily, "What favor you're seeking in return?"

"Have you heard about the newcomer in our family? Carlos dotes on her so much that he's given her 10% of the Blanchet family shares. Her status is no less than Ishara's. Whoever marries her won't get any less than what Mr. Rodriguez has received. I remember Sean is still single, right...?" Eleanor's eyes twinkled coldly as she spoke.

In the restroom.

Ishara, gently clutched Angela's hand, her eyes brimming with tears as she explained, "Angela, I didn't mean to deny it on purpose earlier. It's just that Winnie was so aggressive that I was too scared to speak. And when I told you, I asked you to keep it a secret, yet you exposed Winnie's past in front of Mr. Bentley... I said those things because I wanted you to be understanding toward Winnie. But now she's misunderstood and thinks I'm against her, and it breaks my heart..."

Initially angry, Angela's resolve softened at Ishara's tears and the insinuation that she had broken a promise, leaving her without a leg to stand on.

"Angela, we've grown up together and you know I'm not bad," Ishara said, coughing.

"Ishara, I believe you. I've come to realize it's that wench who's deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us!" Angela was naturally convinced of their friendship and now felt a surge of indignation. "Winnie's so devious!"

"I'm starting to not understand Winnie either. I really wanted to be nice to her, but she wore the same red dress as me and publicly mocked my figure, making me the subject of gossip everywhere, calling me ugly. I've never been so upset, Angela...ugh!" Ishara said this and then began to retch weakly over the toilet.

"Ishara! What's wrong with you?"

"I probably drank too much soup in desperation, plus I'm emotionally distressed. Angela, can you call Mr. Rodriguez over for me?"

"Ishara, I'll go get him right away," Angela said and immediately ran off.

In the shadows, Ishara stood up leisurely, wiped her mouth, and smirked. She was confident Angela would be an excellent messenger.

Not many ladies had heard Winnie chewing her out earlier, but Ishara was determined to have her revenge.

On the stairs of the banquet hall, Mars descended.

He bumped into Sean, who was leaning against the railing with a glass of red wine, squinting at a beauty in the crowd.

Following his gaze, Mars saw Winnie in a stunning red dress and found it amusing. He chuckled and nudged Sean's shoulder, asking, "Do you have your eye on the newcomer, Ms. Winnie?"

Sean turned around with a greasy smile and responded, "She's got a decent figure."

"I get it, she's gorgeous." Mars raised an eyebrow.

"But I've heard rumors that she's had a child..." Sean revealed with a touch of skepticism.

Just then, another person descended the stairs, his footsteps restrained.

Mars turned to see Lawrence and sneered, leaning toward Sean, "What does it matter if Ms. Winnie has had a child? Wouldn't that make things more interesting? Plus, I've heard that women who've had children are particularly... accommodating in bed."

"That's true." Sean's eyes gleamed, and he licked his lips with a smile.

Mars also smirked and added, "You're quite fond of MILFs, aren't you? You've been with more women than I have. If you're interested, go ahead and have your fun. What does it matter if she's second-hand goods from the Blanchet family? You don't have to take responsibility after playing around."

Tempted, Sean said, "Right, she's dressed provocatively to seduce men. I heard she's 27, not too old. You're getting me excited... damn," Sean cursed crudely.

Suddenly, something fell from above, striking Sean on the head, eliciting a cry of pain as he instinctively reached for the injured spot. "Damn, who's blind? They hit me!" he exclaimed in frustration.

Lawrence's expression darkened as he pocketed his car keys. His slow descent made him seem like a figure emerging from hell. He approached Sean and gave Mars a chilling glance before grabbing Sean by the tie.

"Lawrence..." Sean was startled by his gaze.

Seeing the car keys in Lawrence's hand, he suddenly realized what had hit him. Just as he was about to lash out at Lawrence, the man yanked his tie and threw him down the stairs.

"Ah-Lawrence, what's wrong with you!" Sean howled in anger.

Mars watched the drama unfold with a smirk, taunting, "What's the matter, Mr. Rodriguez? It's just Sean wanting to have a fling with a flirtatious woman. Did he cross a line with you?"

Sean also looked up in shock.

Lawrence's face remained impassive as he fixed Mars with a chilling gaze. Without uttering a word, Lawrence strode past, leaving an aura of intimidation in his wake. Sean, poised to retaliate, was halted in his tracks by the intensity of Lawrence's stare.

As Lawrence left, the tension lingered.

"He's...really messed up," Sean grumbled. "What does it matter to him if I want to have some fun with a woman?"

Mars sneered at Lawrence's retreating figure, "Exactly. Isn't he Ishara's boyfriend? Could he be concerned about Ishara's sister?"

Lawrence stiffened, and though he couldn't speak, his clenched fists made a cold sound. Descending the stairs, his eyes swept over the banquet hall. Winnie in that red mermaid dress was like a thorn in his side, chatting up another man.

His face grew colder by the second.

Just then, Angela, who had been looking for him, ran up, startled by the malevolence radiating from him. She steadied herself, panting. "Lawrence, it's terrible! Ishara's in trouble..."

"What?" Lawrence asked as he looked up.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the staircase, Sean stood up, dusting off his clothes.

Skylar finally found him and called out, "Sean! What are you doing standing here? Come down, I need to talk to you."

"Got something to say? Don't interrupt my plans for tonight." Sean stayed put, continuing to eye Winnie.