"What are you doing here, you disgraceful illegitimate child?" Henry strode


    forward, attempting to push Lucas away, only to have his wrist twisted back in a swift counter.


    Henry let out a pained howl. "It hurts! It hurts!"


    Lucas smirked in disdain. "Henry, you''re nothing more than a pathetic clown. If you had even the slightest bit ofpetence, Xena wouldn''t have to marry Alex just to secure the Schneider family''s position."


    His words darkened the expressions of many in the hall.


    "Lucas, stop spouting nonsense!" Xena stormed forward, her voice filled with anger. "Let go of Henry this instant!"


    "Xena." He released Henry with a forceful shove, his sharp gaze locking onto her. "You''ve always hated it when I call you that, but no matter how much you deny it, you are my sister."


    "I don''t have a brother like you," Xena said coldly. "You''re just an illegitimate child of the Schneider family. Do you really think you deserve to stand on equal footing with Henry and me? Dream on!"


    What was supposed to be an elegant engagement ceremony had now devolved into a full-blown family dispute. The previously lively atmosphere in the hall fell into an uneasy silence.


    Despite her scornful words, Lucas merely studied her with a look of amusement and derision.


    "My mother was the beloved daughter of the West family," he said slowly. "When she met your father, your mother had already passed away."


    His voice grew heavier. "Before my mother and your father were together, the Schneider family ran nothing more than a small-time business. Meanwhile, the West family was already one of the most powerful enterprises in Sulford.


    "But after my mother got together with your father, it only took three or four years for the Schneider family to rise to prominence. Have you ever wondered why?


    "My mother truly loved your father. She never asked for a title or sought recognition. And yet, when they both died in that car ident, the Schneider family turned around and publicly branded her a homewrecker?"


    Lucas'' eyes glistened, betraying his emotions. His words sparked hushed conversations among the guests.


    "The West family? They were a prestigious family back in the day."


    "So, the Schneider family''s sess was actually built on the West family''s backing?"


    "I always thought it was strange how the West family suddenly disappeared while the Schneider family rose to power. So, this is what happened?"


    To use someone and nder them、


    afterward... If Lucas was telling the truth, the Schneider family''s actions


    è nothing short of diset


    Everyone in Sulford knew the Schneider family. But how many still remembered the West family that once stood tall?


    As Lucas spoke, Xena''s expression darkened. She had always suspected something but never dared to confirm it.


    "You... You''re lying!"


    "If you think I''m lying, why don''t you ask Grandpa?" His voice was steady. "As the greatest beneficiary, he should know better than anyone."


    All eyes turned to Lester. And in that split second, I saw hisposed facade crack.


    Last night, when Lucas met with


    Alex, he had already exined the truth to us The Schneider family


    had risen with the West family''s


    help, but Lester believed that admitting they had relied on his daughter-inw''s wealth would be humiliating. Hence, he denied Lucas'' mother any rightful status.


    But now, with the truth exposed in front of so many people, Lester''s expression was unreadable.


    "Mr. Schneider, we only left West Group to join Schneider Group because we trusted Ms. Schneider''s words."