Chapter 1555
"Shut up!" Phoebe''s words were met with an indignant roar from Cole.
"Do you even realize where you are? How dare you make a scene like this!"
Phoebe dropped the hem of her dress that she was holding in her hand, straightened her posture,
tilted her chin up, and gave Cole a cold and disdainful chuckle. "Making a scene? What did I do
wrong?"
By this time, Grace had abandoned her conversation with a group of socialites and made her way
towards them. Seeing Phoebe''s defiance, she quickly stepped in front of Cole. She looked
somewhat troubled, but still spoke softly and gently. "Phoebe, if you have any issues, can''t we
discuss themter? Do you have to air them out here, in front of all these guests? Isn''t that
embarrassing?"
"Is this what you call embarrassing? More than what Wendy did to the Alonso family? Besides..."
She paused and took two steps closer to Cole and the others, her beautiful face filled with defiant
sarcasm. "When do you think is the right time for me to voice out? In private? Will you even listen to
me then? I am afraid you might silence me permanently in that case."
As Phoebe''s words echoed around them, the surrounding crowd erupted in low murmurs.
"What''s going on? Are they gonna kill her?"
"Isn''t that the Alonso family’s second daughter? I never thought she''d be mistreated by her
stepmother."
"Well, without her real mother around, living under her stepmother''s watchful eye must be tough."
"But she''s still his own flesh and blood. Shouldn''t her father protect her?"
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Cole was shocked beyond belief. He never expected this quiet and submissive daughter of his to
had changed so much. Now, she was even bold enough to expose him in public. Anger red in his
eyes, and Grace was also also visibly shaking with rage. "Phoebe, you must speak with conscience.
Have I everid a hand on you all these years? How could you nder me like this?"
"Phoebe, you better know your limits. I didn''t call you back here to upset me. Can''t we talk about
whatever issues you haveter?"
"No need.” Phoebe immediately cut off Cole, "I know exactly why you called me back here. When
the n with Abrd failed, who have you picked for me this time?"
Struck by her words, Cole''s expression showed waves of embarrassment. The whispers around him
added to his humiliation.
At the corner, Chloe was enjoying the drama while savoring the pastries that Damon had passed to
her. Though it felt a bit wrong, she couldn''t help but enjoy the spectacle, especially seeing how
Phoebe had grown more assertive. Turning to Damon, she gave him a teasing look, "Seems like
sending someone to the hospital once has really emboldened her."
Chloe''s words drew a small smile from the usually stoic Damon.
He nced at her, "Well, she''s been through an ‘attempted murder’, what''s left to fear?"
Chloe chuckled, appreciating his wit.
"Phoebe, don''t go too far!" Cole said, pointing at Phoebe with a trembling hand, clearly angered.
"I didn''t arrange anyone for you today, but even if I did, what can
you do about it? I''m warning you, don''t push your luck. If you really have something against me, you
can say whatever you want after the dinner party."
"I might as well speak my mind now, otherwise, I probably won''t be able to handle the bacsh
from your family."
"You..."
"Why don''t I take a guess? What''s the purpose of calling me here tonight?"
Phoebe''s sudden interjection sessfully silenced Cole. Even Chloe put down her cutlery and half-
finished ss of milk, resting her chin on her hands, keenly watching the unfolding drama.
Damon stood by and wiped away the milk stuck to her lips, and when he saw the stars in her eyes,
he smiled and shook his head helplessly.
"I''m not sure what you meant by asking me to bring someone home tonight, but judging from your
past actions, it simply means that if I can''t find a husband who can benefit the family, my future will
be in your hands, right?
“It doesn''t matter if this person is smart or silly, ugly or handsome, or if they have any bad habits. As
long as they have money and power, that''s all that matters, right?
“As long as my marriage brings endless benefits to the family and makes it prosperous, it''s all right,
right?
“Then after I''m married off, you''ll find a way to transfer my shares to Wendy to secure her position in
thepany, right?"
With each guess Phoebe made, the expressions on Wendy, Cole, and Grace''s faces became even
more grim.
Phoebe watched each of their reactions, feeling a pang in her heart. Originally, she was just
specting, even though deep down, she felt quite sure of her guesses. However, she didn''t need
their verbal confirmation at all. Now, just by looking at their expressions, she had confirmed
everything. She couldn''t deny that she felt hurt inside. She had thought they mighty low for a
while after the Abrd incident, but they were more relentless than ever.
When she encountered Chloe at the hospital, Chloe had warned her about being cautious. If she
was on guard against that mother-daughter duo, she shouldn''t let her guard down easily because
when people had a purpose, they would use any means to achieve it. If one n failed, there was
always a backup n.
This applied to all of them, anyone.
And indeed, Chloe was right. She said she''d been cloistered in the world of academia for so many
years, untouched by the harsh realities and cunning minds of society.
But that was just how the world worked. There were no pure saints.
Who can confidently thump their chest and proim their own righteousness without a hint of
doubt? If one can''t even consider themselves a saint, how can they expect everyone else to be?
Indeed, Chloe didn''t miss a beat with her words.