Kitty could feel Austin''s gaze bearing down on her, and she couldn''t bring herself to look up, utterly defenseless against the audio clip circting around. She had no clue how this almost forgotten recording ended up on everyone''s phones, especially since she hadn''t done a thing.


    Seeing Kitty''s panic, Austin felt like his head was about to explode. Yesterday''s dinner fiasco was her doing, and now tonight''s party was a disaster too. The audio revealed too much, not directly mentioning the truth about his eldest sister''s expulsion from the Cunningham family, but its implications were profound enough for anyone with a bit of sense to piece together.


    The fact the recording was exposed made Austin furious. He turned his steely gaze back to Mirabe, asking firmly, "Did you leak it?"


    Mirabe smirked slightly, her tone casual, "If you say so, then maybe I did."


    "Maybe?" Austin gritted his teeth at her nonchnt attitude but held back his anger, conscious of the eyes watching them. "Can we step outside for a moment?"


    He gestured towards the door. Mirabe, hands tucked in her coat pockets, looked aloof and unbothered.


    Austin took a few steps, but seeing Mirabe not budging, he turned back, trying to speak closer to her. As had already moved forward, his intimidating presence causing Austin an internal shiver. He couldn''t forget the force of the beating he received that night.


    Reluctantly, Austin pleaded with Mirabe, "Can we not make a scene? Do you realize how hard I''ve worked to establish your ce in Riverdale by inviting all these guests? Isn''t this enough? Or do you really want to put everyone in an awkward position?"


    Mirabe chuckled, "You did say that since ties are cut, we should never meet again."


    Her meaning was clear: they had brought this upon themselves. Austin clenched his fists, finally understanding.


    The curious nces from the crowd lingered, and he realized why his niece had pushed for this gathering. It seemed her goal was never to seek an apology from the Cunningham family.


    He thought he could lure her back with the prestige of the Cunningham name, but now it was clear she was immune to such temptations.


    "I don''t see what you gain from this," Austin''s voice was icy, "Your mother never dared to speak up, yet here you are, bold as brass."


    Mirabe nodded, responding calmly, "So, Mr. Austin, are you thinking about the inheritance now?"


    "Do you think by fabricating an audio clip and sending it out like this, you can prove something?" Austin was in no mood to acknowledge the truth in the tape.


    Just then, Kitty, having calmed from her earlier panic, approached swiftly. She wore her public mask of politeness, picking up where Austin left off:


    "We''ve treated you like family, even organized this whole event to introduce you to so many of our elders, ensuring you wouldn''t face challenges on your own. We''ve thought of everything for you, only to find you pulling a stunt like this..."


    Kitty''s perfectly made-up face showed disappointment, "What have we done to you that warrants such fabricated lies?"


    With those words, she deftly shifted the conversation to a matter of ethics and morality.