Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom
Chapter 1450 The Start of a Showdown

Stella laughed recklessly but soon understood that her attitude was inappropriate. She quickly restrained herself and nodded. She said, "That's right, you're returning home."

I noticed a deepening mockery on Celine's face. I met her gaze unabashedly and asked, "Oh... by the way, shouldn't you reintroduce this Miss Stella to me, Celine?"

I passed the ball to Celine, who was standing beside Atlas.

When I saw Celine stifle a laugh, I said, "You've always treated her as your adopted daughter, and she even introduced herself as Stella, Rory's daughter. I've been meaning to ask you, Celine, if she's Stella, then... who am I? I didn't know my father had two daughters." As soon as I said that, everyone turned to look at Celine.

Atlas's hand had been around my waist all this time. When he saw me questioning Celine, he looked at her with apparent interest as he waited for her response.

My question may have been too sudden. I had slapped Celine in the face with that question, and no one in the room had anticipated me saying that so directly.

The people here were "old friends" of the Pierce family. Most of them probably knew who I was. They were all just pretending to be ignorant.

These "old friends" probably followed Celine's lead not to acknowledge my existence. They treated me as nothing more than a woman Atlas doted on.

Celine had completely ignored my presence throughout the event and had only briefly mentioned me. She hadn't even said that I was the mistress of the Pierce family.

So when I asked her that question, it immediately attracted some attention.

After all, I had mentioned Rory.

Many people in the hall considered that name to be taboo.

As I expected, Celine's expression briefly froze before rapidly returning to normal. She looked calmly at the fake Stella before asking, "What are you saying? I don't quite understand."

I sighed inwardly and discreetly approved. She was calculating. I had seen bitchy women before, but I had never seen a high-level bitch like her. I had to admire her for her inner quality; she was good. What a cunning old fox!

I cursed silently in my heart.

When Celine saw me smile but say nothing, she immediately added, "Do you have a connection with Rory?"

Atlas's hand around my waist tightened, and I swallowed the words I was about to say while I looked at him.

Celine's tone conveyed disdain as she said, "What happened that year was simply too chaotic. Although decades have passed, we're still dealing with the aftermath, and many versions of the story keep emerging."

"Oh? I'd love to hear those different versions of the story." I remained calm as usual.

Celine looked at me with her eyes as deep as dark currents surging beneath a calm surface. When I saw her gaze, my heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

"I received information that Rory betrayed my brother, which led to my brother's death in a plane crash He's been on the run ever since, with several major families pursuing him. I had to adopt a daughter to maintain the family stability'

Her words immediately resonated around the room, and many people crowded around us.

I couldn't help but admire her cunning.

A fierce flame flared in my chest, and I instinctively straightened up.

How dare she try to pass off my father as someone who had betrayed Louis Pierce by openly distorting the facts? Wasn't she afraid of retribution?

"... several major families are pursuing him? I'm afraid..." Atlas's hand around my waist slightly pressed against me before I could say anything more, warning me to keep my cool.

I swallowed the rest of my words and took a deep breath without showing any emotion. I looked at Celine with a faint smile and said, "Oh? Is that so? It seems your version of the story is different from mine."

She exaggeratedly raised the corner

of her eye and arrogantly said, "Yes,

there are many different opinions. Just mentioning Rory's daughter causes all kinds of trouble. I feel sorry for that girl, but there must be something despicable about her."

"No wonder you grit your teeth when you talk about Rory. It seems the grudge runs deep," I said calmly, as if I was simply watching a show.

"Many people know that the sudden bad news caused shock and grief to the Pierce family and the Pierce family's circle of friends. My father was so heartbroken that he fell ill and never recovered." Celine was instigating the crowd.