After months of frustration and pouring money into the Thorne family, not to mention the fortune spent on hosting thisvish party, this moment was what I had been waiting for!


    "Does she not understand her ce, or is she deliberately making Tarquin and us ufortable?"


    "I think she''s here to provoke Daphne on purpose! Honestly, mistresses these days are getting bolder by the minute. The legitimate wife hasn''t approached her, yet she''s the one making the first move!"


    "The one thing wealthy families like ours don''tck is children. Thinking she can elevate her status through an illegitimate child is a miscalction. The Bradford family certainly doesn''t acknowledge that!"


    When the conversation shifted to her children, Elysia''s temper red, and she lunged forward, pping the woman across the face.


    "Say one more thing about my children, I dare you!"


    The crowd was stunned, and the woman covered her face, sobbing,


    "Look at how brazen mistresses are these days! Daring to hit someone in public, oh my goodness..."


    "How dare you!"


    Gideon, seated in his wheelchair, sneered coldly at Elysia,


    "


    "To openly strike a member of the Bradford family at our own event is utterly disrespectful and ill-mannered! Today, in front of all these people, I, on behalf of the Bradford family, dere that even though Tarquin fancies you, we have always sided with righteousness over wickedness! We acknowledge only Daphne, and you will never be weed into the Bradford family!"


    Tarquin''s face turned ashen. Wrapping his arm protectively around Elysia''s shoulders, he red at Gideon,


    "Then let me make it clear to everyone here today, from this moment on, I, Tarquin, have nothing to do with the Bradford family! From now on, we go our separate ways, without any further entanglements!"


    The crowd was in shock: "!!!!!!"


    The Bradfords were collectively swallowing their astonishment!


    No one had anticipated that Tarquin would make such a deration for Elysia!


    Despite his known issues with the Bradfords, he had never left, and there were reasons for that.


    He was investigating the circumstances surrounding his parents'' deaths and couldn''t sever ties since Gideon held his mother''s ashes, effectively keeping him bound to the family.


    Even in the most strained moments, he had never suggested aplete separation from the Bradfords!


    Thus, it never crossed their minds that he would, like his father before him, opt to leave the family!


    Without Tarquin, the Bradfords would lose everything!


    So, in addition to the stunned onlookers, his brothers and the Bradfords themselves were at a loss for words.


    Tarquin then turned his cold gaze to Daphne,


    "Although we are husband and wife in name, we have neither shared a life nor feelings for each other. You were brought into this family by their arrangement. After our divorce today, you can follow them. They seem to value you highly!"


    Daphne, already feeling guilty, became even more frightened at Tarquin''s outburst and began to cry.


    Gideon, realizing the dire consequences of losing Tarquin for the family, yed the family card.


    With teary eyes, he said,


    "Tarquin, are you really willing to cut ties with the Bradford family over a woman? We''ve raised you with so much effort, not asking for gratitude but at least not expecting you to break our hearts like this."


    Allegra also chimed in loudly,


    "You''re even more foolish than your father. At least his woman wasn''t a mistress! Look at you, ready to break with your family over a mistress. Aren''t you ashamed? Aren''t you worried about bing aughingstock?"


    Elysia hadn''t expected Tarquin to sever ties with his family over her.


    Staring at Tarquin for a moment, she turned to Allegra with a frown,


    "You keep calling me a mistress. What evidence do you have to prove that im?!"


    "Evidence? The legitimate wife is right here, and you still want to argue?"


    Elysia turned to face Daphne, her eyes zing with anger.


    Back then, they forced her into this marriage, and now that Daphne knew Tarquin''s true status, she wanted toe back andpete for him? She wanted to see on what grounds Daphne considered herself the legitimate wife.


    "So, she''s his wife, and what does that make me, huh?"