Chapter 167

Brielle glanced at the crowd, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. “As for business assets The spreadsheet on the giant screen flipped to a new page, showcasing the mergers and acquisitions she had managed since joining Dorsey International.

“In the past three years, the cases I’ve handled for Dorsey International have generated profits exceeding a billion. The Dorsey family has also supported the Haywood family in business due to this.

The Haywood family invested less than two million in me. What have I given back to them?”

The room was filled with business people, who all knew this represented a remarkably lucrative investment. To say that Brielle owed the Haywood family was, frankly, laughable.

Given these facts, why were the Haywoods playing the victim? The mood in the room shifted instantly to confusion, bewilderment.

An investment of under two million, with a return of ten million in cash plus business support? It seemed like the Haywoods had made a killing.

No one was born yesterday. A flicker of suspicion began to ignite in their minds. This evening’s drama, it seemed, was not going to be straightforward.

“In conclusion, I owe nothing to anyone in the Haywood family. The ten million has been transferred.

From now on, I have no affiliation with the Haywoods. As for Ms. Miranda’s proposal to be my godmother, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline that honor.”

She spoke with clarity and confidence, handing the microphone back to a pale–faced Miranda, even managing a smile at the audience.

Silence swept over the crowd. Brielle’s statement was final, severing all ties with the Haywood family.

There was no going back now. She had laid everything out, clear as day, without muddying the waters.

Miranda clenched her teeth, her hands itching to strangle Brielle. “How can you say such things?” She clutched her chest in feigned agony, as if about to faint. “All these years, I’ve raised you as my own daughter, and now you want to walk away as if none of it means anything. Brielle, you’re cold–hearted.”

At the right moment, Lillian began patting Miranda’s back, her face a picture of soft sympathy. “Mom, don’t upset yourself. Bri probably isn’t thinking straight. Realizing suddenly she’s not truly a Haywood must be tough.”

“Does she look upset to you?” Miranda shot back, putting on a show of heartache. “Enough, let’s not make a spectacle in front of the guests. I won’t say another word.”

Miranda was panicking inside, unable to find a point to counter, because Brielle had played her cards too well, too cleverly, and the audience was beginning to waver.

“If the Haywood family really invested less than two million, it looks like they made a profit.”

15:40 “You all believe her just like that? The Haywoods are a renowned family, and why would they be so stingy? I bet the spreadsheet is doctored.”

“If it was doctored, why didn’t the Haywoods immediately refute it? Why do they just stand there, looking mortified?”

“I think both Brielle and the Haywoods are shady. It’s just a dog–eat–dog situation.”

Lillian noticed the crowd was no longer unanimously ridiculing Brielle, and she felt a twinge of panic.

She bit her lip and looked up at Max, who had been silent since he walked in. Any attempts at conversation were dismissed with a nonchalant glance from him.

He seemed unattached to the drama, unfazed amid the storm. That was Max.

Lillian’s irritation grew, wondering why he didn’t intervene when Brielle was so clearly being cruel. Did he not see how selfish and heartless Brielle’s words were?

Her face paled, unable to comprehend how the atmosphere had changed so quickly. She had to stop the audience from speculating further; she needed to find a way to mend the situation.

“Bri, you’ve already caused the orphanage dean so much stress he’s in the hospital. Now, do you want to put Mom in there too?”

Lillian brought up the orphanage again, knowing it would inevitably lead to thoughts of charity donations. This was one aspect Brielle couldn’t just shake off.