Chapter 788

Henry and Isabella Lancaster moved forward, their faces etched with disappointment toward their daughter—as though she had failed to meet their lofty expectations once again.

"Good evening, Isabella."

Isabella shot them a venomous glare, her irritation palpable. "Don't speak to me!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Rosalind Fairchild smoothly intervened. "Ms. Lancaster, this is meant to be a joyous occasion. Perhaps you could try to control your temper."

Isabella scoffed loudly.

"Joyous? You mean the day my parents officially adopt Harrison as their goddaughter? Now I have to compete for their affection too?"

Her piercing gaze locked onto Henry and Isabella's faces.

"Do I even matter to you anymore? Where do I stand now that Harrison has taken my place?"

Murmurs rippled through the gathered executives nearby.

"What's happening? Is Ms. Lancaster upset about the adoption?"

"Clearly she came here to make trouble."

"This isn't a celebration for her—she's already causing a scene."

Isabella had no intention of playing nice. When Henry and Isabella handed her the embossed invitation, she accepted it—but her purpose was unmistakably disruptive.

Eleanor observed Isabella's outburst with hidden satisfaction and feigned concern. "Perhaps you should let this go. They're entitled to choose their own goddaughter."

"Let it go? I'm their blood daughter, the rightful heiress! Mother, Father, I refuse to accept this adoption today. I forbid it!"

Isabella's rejection rang out sharply across the ballroom.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

Henry's brow furrowed deeply. "The decision is final. This wasn't up for discussion."

Isabella Lancaster added coldly, "Your objections change nothing. Honestly, you could learn from Harrison. Look at all the damage you've caused recently!"

Isabella's expression darkened. "I said no, yet you're proceeding anyway?"

"Indeed," Henry and Isabella responded simultaneously, "Harrison is our daughter now."

Isabella's fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her own parents were publicly humiliating her—making her feel like an outsider in her own family.

Rosalind smirked. "Kindness attracts admirers, while cruelty repels them. Instead of making a spectacle, perhaps you should focus on self-improvement. Learn what it means to be a proper daughter and decent human being."

Isabella detested Rosalind. That sharp tongue reminded her too much of Harrison.

She turned back to her parents with blazing eyes. "You'll choose today."

"What choice?"

Isabella raised her voice defiantly. "I loathe Harrison! I've made my position clear—I won't tolerate her as your goddaughter. Now choose: me or her? Will you keep your real daughter or replace me with her?"

Henry and Isabella's faces turned stormy.

Isabella pressed ruthlessly, "If you pick Harrison, you lose me forever! The choice is yours."

Now Isabella had forced her parents into an impossible decision.

The whispers intensified around them.

"Who expected Ms. Lancaster to disrupt the gala like this?"

"A direct ultimatum between blood and chosen daughter—how will the Lancasters decide?"