?Chapter 242:


    Greatly improved their standing by forming an alliance with the Harpers—perhaps even joining the ranks of the’s elite.”


    Embarrassment washed over Sylvia as she faced the hatefulments. How could they scorn her? Darren’s heart had never belonged to Elena. She didn’t need to snatch Darren away from Elena!


    In Sylvia’s mind, Elena had taken the life that was meant to be hers for the past two decades, costing her precious years wasted without being with Darren. The troubles she had endured were beyond theprehension of these clueless onlookers.


    Sylvia had no one to turn to but Darren. However, when she nced up at him, she saw his face filled with tension and worry.


    Frustration clenched Darren’s jaw tight. At this moment, he couldn’t care less about Sylvia. Each mocking word cut deep, like daggers to his pride. He was overwhelmed with regret. If he hadn’t ended the engagement, he would have been the Harper family’s son-inw by now. With just a few projects from the Harper family, the Griffiths family could have moved up, joining the’s elite. Instead, he now found himself enduring this humiliation.


    A sudden realization struck, and Darren pulled his arm away from Sylvia’s grip. If it hadn’t been for her maniption, he never would have ended his engagement with Elena. This was all Sylvia’s doing!


    Feeling the emptiness in her hand, Sylvia looked at Darren in shock, only to see disdain on his face. It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t look at her with such disgust. She must have seen it wrong.


    Darren opened his mouth to speak, but Wesley’s cold stare silenced him. Wesley said to the security guards in a calm tone, “The Spencer family explicitly did not extend an invitation to anyone from Foiclens. Please escort them out to preserve my grandfather’s peace.”


    Security moved quickly to usher Darren and Sylvia out.


    At that moment, the banquet’s host called for all guests to be seated.


    Without looking back at Elena, Wesley made his way to the head table. Elena turned her gaze away and took a seat at a different table with the Harper family.


    At the head table, members of the illustrious Spencer family convened, nked by eminent figures from the political and military echelons. Nearby, the second table hosted cherished family friends—the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Harper, Johnson, and Garrett families.


    As Elena gracefully settled into her seat, she couldn’t help but notice Wesley sitting behind her.


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    The guests, aware of the Spencer family’s legendary attention to detail, navigated to their meticulously assigned seats with a blend of anticipation and decorum.


    Elyse spotted Samira and Vince. Turning to Karen, she murmured with a hint of urgency, “I’ll scoot over to my seat now and we can catch upter, okay?”


    Karen, her brow furrowed in confusion, gestured toward the second table. “Isn’t that where you’re supposed to be? Where are you headed?”


    Elyse’s expression froze momentarily, almost losing herposure. She managed a strained smile. “I’m apanying Vince today, so I’ll be joining them instead. It’s a bit cramped by Alexander’s side, and I’d rather not squeeze in there.”


    Karen’s eyes followed Elyse’s gaze to confirm the crowded second table. Finding her ce at the far-flung forty-ninth table by the entrance, Elyse couldn’t hide her discontent.


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