Chapter 152: The Consequences of Arrogance Mrs. Hayes was too enraged to react and snapped, "Of course itâs your fault! If it werenât for you, Bella wouldnât have been turned away!"
"Youâre just a country bumpkin who doesnât understand art! You probably didnât even know Mr. Kingâs name before today. If Iâm blaming someone, who else would I blame?"
Selina blinked innocently. "Mrs. Hayes, you sound so confident."
Mrs. Hayesâ face flushed red with anger. "Iâve already been kind enough not to hold you accountable! And now youâre standing in my way? Let me tell you, I demand an explanation today, or Iâm not leavingâ"
"You want an explanation? Fine."
A cold male voice interrupted Mrs. Hayes.
Gordon stood there, his expression indifferent and his gaze sharp. "Since Mrs. Hayes insists on an explanation, donât blame me for not showing the Hayes Family any mercy."
Seeing this, Selina sensibly stepped behind Gordon.
Mrs. Hayes had been about to curse, but the murmurs around them stopped her.
"Mr. King himself is here!"
"Heâs in his forties but looks so young and refined. His aura is incredible."
"Iâve heard Mr. King has a good temper. Why does he seem so cold toward the Hayes Family? Did they really offend him?"
Mrs. Hayes froze. This man is Gordon? And heâs speaking up for Selina?
No, no, he must have been fooled by Selinaâs face!
Mrs. Hayes hastily spoke up. "Mr. King, this Selina has nothing to do with our Hayes Family. Even if you dislike her, you shouldnât take it out on usâ"
"It seems Mrs. Hayes still doesnât understand. Or perhaps..."
Gordonâs gaze fell on Bella, and he sneered, "Perhaps Miss Hayes hasnât told you?"
At that moment, Bella met Gordonâs gaze.
Her mind buzzed, and all the color drained from her face.
That man who was with Selina when she was shopping... was Gordon?!
Bellaâs thoughts raced back to that day. She had openly mocked Selina, called her an ignorant country girl who didnât understand Gordonâs paintings.
And all along... he was Gordon?!
Why didnât he say anything then? Why let me humiliate myself?!
Mrs. Hayes, completely furious, puffed up and snapped, "Bella has always been kind and respectful! This has nothing to do with her! Mr. King, youâve been deceived by Selinaâsheâs the real liar here!"
The crowd gasped.
Is Mrs. Hayes brainless? Did she even realize who she was talking to? Even if the head of the Hayes Family were here, he wouldnât dare speak to Mr.
King in that tone!
Someone attempted to warn her. "Mrs. Hayes, perhaps you should listen to Mr. King before making assumptions..."
But Mrs. Hayes had been used to having the final say her entire life. No one ever contradicted her. The fact that someone was refuting her now only made her angrier.
"Am I wrong?! Our Bella has been bullied by Selina over and over, and I never even made a fuss! And now Selina dares to spread rumors? Mr. King, are you stupid? Youâre being played like a foolâ"
"Mrs. Hayes, you might want to stop talking now. Even Bella isnât saying anything."
Selina cut her off with a soft but mocking voice. "Be careful, or youâll only embarrass yourself further."
Mrs. Hayes gritted her teeth. "Youâ"
"If Miss Hayes wonât explain, then Iâll do it myself."
Gordon chuckled coldly, not giving Mrs. Hayes a chance to speak as he slowly enunciated:
"Itâs actually quite simple. Miss Hayes saw me buying clothes for my niece, Selina, and decided it was her place to lecture Selina about self-respect."
"In Miss Hayesâs eyes, I was just a shameless old man who only knew how to spend his money to support young girls. Someone of my lowly status is, of course, unworthy of associating with the prestigious Hayes Family."
Bellaâs body trembled violently. Her face turned ghostly pale as sheer panic surged through her.
Gordon turned to Mrs. Hayes with an unreadable smile, his voice dripping with mockery.
"So, Mrs. Hayes, do you understand now? The problem isnât that the Hayes Family offended me."
"Itâs that, in the eyes of the Hayes Family, I was never worthy of them to begin with."
As soon as Gordon finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the crowd.
The way people looked at Mrs. Hayes instantly shiftedâfrom indifferent to outright disdainful.
Just moments ago, Mrs. Hayes had claimed Bella was kind and considerate...
Yet she had falsely accused Mr. King of keeping his own niece as a mistressâwas that her definition of kindness?
Everyone knew Gordon had a good temper, but this was the first time he had ever lost it in public. And who could blame him? He simply bought his niece a few outfits, and Bella just had to make a snide remark about it. Who wouldnât be furious?
"The Hayes Family is ridiculous. First, they slander Mr. King and Miss Clark, then they have the audacity to ask if they somehow offended him?"
"Gordon, as an uncle, spoiling his niece should be expected. But Bella had to twist it into something dirty. Honestly, Mr. King is already being merciful by just cutting ties. If it were me, I wouldâve thrown the entire Hayes Family out. How does Mrs. Hayes still have the nerve to argue?"
Mrs. Hayesâ mind went blank. Her lips trembled as she struggled to find words.
She never expected that a simple attempt to defend Bella would turn her into public enemy number one.
Meanwhile, Bella felt like she was about to faint. Her vision blurred as she stammered, "No... no, I really didnât know..."
"Bella, is there anything you do know besides playing dumb?"
Alice sneered coldly. "Ethan, you better cut ties with people like this. Today, sheâs spreading lies about Selina and Mr. King. Tomorrow, she might be spreading lies about us."
"The Drake Family canât afford to be associated with the Hayes Family. We have a reputation to uphold, and who knows what kind of scandalous nonsense Miss Hayes will come up with next?"
Hearing this, others in the crowd quickly chimed in.
"Sheâs right. Taylor Group wonât be working with the Hayes Family anymore."
"Bella is so quick to spread rumorsâwho in their right mind would want to be friends with her?"
Bella was losing it. She turned desperately to Ethan. "Ethan! You know Iâm not like this, Iâ"
"Forget it," Selina suddenly dropped her gaze, her voice soft with unmistakable aggrieved innocence, yet full of understanding.
"Today is my uncleâs art exhibition. Letâs not let one person ruin the mood. Itâs alright."
She dabbed at invisible tears, her tone gentle and self-sacrificing.
"Miss Hayes, donât blame Miss Drake for being harsh. This all started because of me, so... I apologize to you."
The crowd immediately erupted with admiration.
"Miss Clark is so mature. She puts the bigger picture above her own grievances."
freewÑbnoνel.com "Unlike Bella, who still refuses to admit fault. The difference between them couldnât be clearer..."
Selina cast Bella a triumphant smile.
Bella almost choked on air.
This scheming b*tch!
Acting all innocent?! Pretending to be so kind-hearted?!
She clenched her fists tightly, supporting a barely-conscious Mrs. Hayes. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to murmur, "I... I wasnât thinking. Iâm sorry. Iâll personally visit and apologize in the next few days... Mr. King, I truly regret this..."
Selina raised a brow. Huh. Bella sure knows when to yield.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Gordon let out a cold huff. "Donât think I didnât noticeâthat Bella girl is one of Loganâs unwanted admirers."
Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex's 'Uncle'
ï¤Chapter 151: Shut Out at the Door Apocalypse: The Supporting Actress Made a Comeback ï¤Chapter 739 - 395 Bite back Shadow Slave ï¤Chapter 2468 Home Bitter Home Selina was just about to respond when she looked upâonly to see Logan standing casually in the corner, watching her with amusement.
He smiled and shook his head slightly.