mtlumby2d Chapter 1267 - 1266: On My Turf, You Abide by My Rules
Chapter 1267 - 1266: On My Turf, You Abide by My Rules
Leah’s arrival with Lana Shaw and Calliope Shaw immediately drew the attention of most of the people in the banquet hall.
Constantine Stewart was the host of this banquet and was conversing with someone when he noticed the radiant Leah. He glanced at the two women beside her, who seemed to be relatives of the Shaw Family, and squinted slightly.
"Mr. Stewart, those three ladies came with the Shaw Family’s invitation," said his reliable assistant, Benedict Bates, in a low voice.
They came with an invitation he sent to Richard Shaw? Constantine Stewart instantly grasped Leah’s identity and couldn’t help but smile slightly. Even a tough guy like Richard Shaw couldn’t resist the charm of a beauty. He had some awareness of the feud between the Shaw Family and the Squire Family, and he had recently seen Griffith Squire in Brocade City.
"Be sure to treat them well," Constantine instructed, but he didn’t personally go over to greet them and continued his conversation with those around him.
"Mr. Stewart, which family does this beautiful lady belong to? I’ve never seen her before," asked a middle-aged man beside him, eyes gleaming at the sight of the stunning beauty.
Constantine glanced at Mr. Liu with a faint smile, his handsome face carrying a hint of mockery, and said, "Richard Shaw’s woman."
Mr. Li broke out in a cold sweat instantly, chuckled awkwardly twice, then suddenly realized this was the subject of the scandal circulating fervently these past few days?
Richard Shaw’s woman, huh? The man cursed inside, abandoning all romantic thoughts. He knew he couldn’t match the power of others, and thus couldn’t enjoy the most beautiful woman.
"Leah Squire, you actually dared to come?" Serena Winton was chatting sweetly with her admirers when she noticed their souls seemed to be captivated by someone else. Turning around, she saw Leah and was instantly furious with jealousy, her grudges old and new boiling to the surface.
"Sis, it’s really Crystal Landon." Sophia Winton, who had arrived today and was already engaged, exclaimed upon seeing Leah. Her eyes turned red; the sight of a sworn enemy was especially enraging.
Back when she was in school, she suffered the worst beatings from Crystal Landon.
"What nonsense are you talking? Crystal Landon died long ago. This woman is just an imposter," Serena said through gritted teeth.
"She really looks like her," said some socialites upon seeing Leah, recalling the most notorious figure in the socialite circle from years ago, who was raised by the Shaw Family’s old lady. Any event where she appeared, she’d steal the spotlight; at eighteen, she married the then-most promising young Major General of a noble family. Luckily, she later died, presumably unable to bear such immense wealth.
Yet after her death, Major General Shaw lived alone for many years, full of deep affection. Women all over the Imperial City bit their nails at the mention of her name. Now, an imposter has appeared and somehow got involved with the Shaw Family, instantly sparking widespread resentment.
"Who is Crystal Landon?" Some new socialites, unfamiliar with past events, asked eagerly.
"She died many years ago. Don’t ask. This woman just got herself a face exactly like hers and latched onto the Shaw Family."
"Letting such a woman into the banquet is an absolute disgrace to us," someone remarked angrily.
"Exactly, get her out."
"I heard someone kept her as a mistress in Southeast Asia. Wasn’t Major General Shaw cuckolded?"
"Shh, don’t speak of the Shaw Family’s affair. I think Major General Shaw must have been deceived by this woman."
"Perhaps the scandal was orchestrated by her. This way, everyone knows she’s involved with Major General Shaw and successfully climbed the ranks."
"Why do I feel she doesn’t look like someone who had plastic surgery? This face seems completely natural," someone whispered.
There was a momentary silence among the crowd. Are they kidding? If it’s not surgery, how can she naturally look like that? Is Crystal Landon resurrected? The socialites shuddered; if that wicked woman were alive, they’d all be in trouble.
"You’re all too much. This is my future sister-in-law, the Shaw Family’s Young Madam. Do you think you can just defame her?" Lana Shaw and Calliope Shaw, seeing these women clearly jealous and having nothing good to say, suddenly turned stern to defend Leah. As members of the Shaw Family, should they let others discuss them this way?
"What a joke. Just a kept woman, can she really enter the doors of the Shaw Family? Don’t assume sneaking into the banquet makes you a socialite. Why didn’t Major General Shaw come with you?" Serena sneered at Leah, "You’re not welcome here. Leave now."
"Exactly, leave immediately," Sophia chimed in arrogantly.
Leah looked at the pace-setting Winton sisters with a smirk, her shimmering eyes narrowing as she coldly remarked, "Serena, you’d think you were the host. Did Mr. Stewart ask me to leave, or do you have the authority to? What kind of inept people does the Winton Family raise?"
The words were harsh, essentially insulting the entire Winton Family.
The Winton sisters turned purple with rage.
Serena, still holding a glass of red wine, let her anger get the better of her, intending to splash it on Leah’s face without a second thought.
Her wrist was firmly held by someone, and Constantine Stewart took the wine from Serena’s hand, speaking coldly, "Miss Winton, in my territory, follow my rules."
Constantine Stewart was generally a considerate person, but when an easygoing man becomes assertive, not even the highest authority can sway him.
The Winton Family wouldn’t dare offend the new elite of the Imperial City, Constantine Stewart, especially when he possessed such allure.
Serena, dazzled by his striking looks, bit her lip and stomped her foot, speaking sweetly, "Mr. Stewart, someone snuck into the banquet, I only intended to help remove them, to prevent anyone from breaking the rules."
Her swift change of demeanor shocked the Shaw sisters, who were about to argue when Leah shook her head slightly, her lips curling subtly, knowing with Constantine Stewart there, they wouldn’t need to exert much effort.
"Miss Squire is here representing the Shaw Family," Constantine said calmly, then looked at Leah with a slight smile, "The Southeast and Imperial City are thousands of miles apart. As a noble family from Southeast Asia, it’s an honor that Miss Squire attends my charity banquet."
With a few words, Constantine Stewart publicly recognized Leah, clarifying her identity—not only representing the Shaw Family but also standing strong on the prestige of the Squire Family. Forget just attending a charity banquet, they could easily overshadow the Winton Family. Yet, the noble families of Imperial City have always looked down on those from other regions.
Indeed, when it comes to influence and power, how many of the noble families present could truly compare with the Squire Family, let alone the Leclair Family of Southeast Asia?
Constantine Stewart’s gaze deepened, knowing even someone like Griffith Squire was not someone he dared to provoke lightly.