Chapter 449

The elite crowd gathered around Margaret and Victoria, their eyes filled with admiration for raising such an extraordinary woman like Harrison.

Tonight's gala was packed with high society's finest - exactly the kind of attention Margaret had always craved. She lived for these moments, basking in the spotlight, surrounded by envy and admiration.

For years, Margaret had pinned her hopes on Isabella and Penelope. She'd dreamed of Isabella marrying Nathaniel and Penelope wedding Dr. Sinclair, believing these alliances would elevate her status.

But now, what her favored granddaughters failed to achieve, Harrison accomplished effortlessly.

Margaret stood as the object of everyone's envy.

Yet the victory tasted bitter.

Her forced smile barely masked her discomfort.

Beside her, Victoria clenched her fists, her smile more painful than tears.

Harrison's gaze locked onto them, lips curling into a knowing smirk.

"Don't bother asking them for advice. I've severed all ties with the Whitmore family."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Why would you cut ties with your own family?"

Harrison rose gracefully, the chandelier's glow illuminating her elegant figure as she approached Margaret and Victoria.

"As you may know, I grew up in a remote village. The Whitmores didn't raise me - peasants did."

Whispers erupted. "That's right, she was exiled to the countryside as a child. By her own mother, no less."

"What kind of mother does that?"

"Mrs. Victoria remarried her late husband's brother, becoming Isabella's stepmother. Disgusting, isn't it?"

Victoria's face burned with humiliation. Nothing stung more than having her past dragged into the light.

Harrison knew exactly where to strike.

"Everyone knows Mrs. Whitmore is my biological mother. Yet she married my uncle, bringing his daughter Isabella into our home. There was no place left for me."

She paused dramatically.

"Of course, every woman deserves love. But how many would abandon their own child to dote on another woman's daughter?"

Rosalind Fairchild chuckled, turning to Victoria. "Mrs. Whitmore, you're in your forties, yes? Who knew middle-aged women could simp so hard?"

Laughter erupted. The crowd's stares turned venomous.

"What kind of monster abandons her child for a man?"

"Harrison became Dr. Sinclair despite her mother. The irony!"

Victoria became the night's spectacle, her face ashen with rage.

Isabella glared daggers at Harrison. First Penelope's humiliation, now this public shaming.

She couldn't stay silent.

"Harrison, you've always resented Mother. But she invested everything in me!"

Isabella clung to Nathaniel's arm, flaunting her prize.

"Isn't that right, darling?"

All eyes turned not to Isabella, but to the powerful man beside her.