?Chapter 240:


    Malcolm patted Kiera’s head and then looked over at Wesley.


    As expected, Wesley’s face was clouded with displeasure.


    Just as Wesley began to rise, Elena’s cold voice filled the room. “You brought me food? As I remember, those were leftovers you intended to throw away. Is that how you treat your friends, by treating them like second-ss citizens?”


    As soon as Elena’s words hung in the air, the guests whispered among themselves. “Treating someone like dirt? That’s not an insult. It’s simply disgraceful.”


    “I could never conjure up such a cruel way to embarrass someone.” These influential individuals from the had been misled by Darren’s maniptive words into believing Elena was thankless and morally deficient. Their opinions, however, were nowpletely transformed. They had nearly been fooled! Of all the methods avable to embarrass someone, Darren had chosen the most degrading. Treating people as less than human—how dare he still call himself a friend? The audacity!


    Moments earlier, Darren had secretly felt a sense of satisfaction, confident that since he had tricked these bigwigs of the, the Harpers were cornered—a move that would force Elena to talk to Wesley, potentially restoring the strained rtions between Spencer Group and Griffiths Group.


    Unexpectedly, the tables had turned.


    Reluctant to forfeit this chance, Darren knew that after this banquet, the Harper family would likely shut him out.


    With a resolve hardened by the fear of losing his tform, Darren said, “Elena, have you really forgotten our twenty years of friendship? You never treated me this way before. I understand that the Griffiths family might seem insignificant now, but that doesn’t give you the right to defame me.”


    Elena could see that he was intent on pestering her, his behaviorpletely shameless. Today marked Gerald’s 80th birthday, and she had no intention of causing a scene at such an important celebration. However, Darren,pletely unaware of the nuances, continued to provoke her, truly believing that their shared history would be enough to intimidate her.


    Elena held her head high, with no fear of anyone discovering her past, for she had nothing to hide. Only those who had something to hide would feel fear and hesitation.


    “Save your lies for someone else. They’re disgusting,” Elena sneered. “We have no rtionship. You’re purposely using ambiguous words to create misunderstandings. If you want to speak, then do so clearly.”


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    Caught off guard, Darren couldn’t grasp why Elena wasn’t reacting as he’d predicted. Wasn’t she supposed to be afraid? After all, reputation was everything to elite families. Or perhaps Elena truly didn’t care about it at all?


    Scanning the room, Darren quickly dismissed that thought. She must be bluffing, pretending to be unfazed to make him retreat. He doubted she would dare disclose her shattered engagement. And even if she did, the Harper family would surely prevent her from sharing such details.


    With newfound determination, Darrenposed himself, nced around, and said, “Do you really want me to say it? After all, we were once…”


    He intentionally paused, letting his words hang in the air, inviting gossip and giving Elena one final chance. If she backed down now, he wouldn’t say a word.


    But Elena didn’t seize the chance he expected. “I’ll say it myself if you won’t,” she said, locking eyes with Sylvia.


    Elena stood radiant under the lights, d in a simple, elegant white dress that, while understated,manded the room’s attention.


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