A Crown of Strength

---- Chapter 6 Dorothy shrieked at my words. "Lorraine, you're just greedy for more! How can you be so shameless?" The crowd chimed in. "After three years as a wealthy wife, you forgot your place?" "A million is more than an orphan like you could ever earn in a lifetime!" As they prepared to say more, Xander's assistant rushed to his side. He whispered something in Xander's ear. Excitement spread across Xander's face, and he announced loudly. "Ladies and gentlemen, the chairman of Midsummer Group will attend my engagement party today!" His words sparked gasps from the crowd.

"The chairman of Midsummer Group? What a privilege!" "The chairman has never shown his/her face before! Seeing the chairman today would be worth dying for!" "They say befriending the chairman secures a group's resources for life." ---- "Coming to Mr. Fuller's engagement party was the best decision!" "Mr. Fuller is so accomplished, inviting the chairman of Midsummer Group!" | listened quietly to their praise, a cold laugh rising in my heart. They had no idea the chairman wasn't here to celebrate. She was here to send this shameless couple to their downfall.

Seeing me still standing there, Xander frowned with impatience. "Lorraine, the chairman of Midsummer Group is arriving soon! You'd better leave now! The chairman is not someone you can afford to offend!" Dorothy, now playing the sweet and sensible role, adjusted her skirt and clung excitedly to Xander's arm. "| heard the chairman of Midsummer Group admires people loyal to their love. Xander, our love story must have touched her, so the chairman is coming to our engagement party!" | did admire those loyal to love, as they found true happiness. Then she looked at me with disdain.

"Lorraine, they say the chairman despises people who ruin others' relationships. You dare stand here? I'll make sure the chairman punishes you! The punishment will haunt you forever!" | nodded faintly, not moving an inch. Amid the crowd's cheers, | spotted Leo, urgently searching for ---- me. Xander and Dorothy didn't know who Leo was and mistook him for the chairman. Xander eagerly raised a glass and approached him. "Mr. Curtis, welcome!" Before Leo could respond, Dorothy ran to him, feigning distress. "Chairman, you have to help me!

There's a crazy woman trying to ruin my engagement party!" Leo's face darkened with anger. He was worried about my safety, but to Dorothy, his expression seemed like hatred for the person disrupting her relationship. She grabbed his hand, crying as she spoke. "You have to punish her severely! She's so arrogant!" The crowd, eager to curry favor, echoed her. "Exactly, Chairman! Some people know you hate those who ruin relationships, yet they provoke you at this banquet! They clearly don't respect you!" Leo shouted urgently. "Where is this woman?

Is anyone hurt at the banquet?" Dorothy pouted, revealing a faint red mark on her arm. It was obviously self-inflicted. ---- But Leo was frantic, terrified | might be in danger. He had lost the person he respected most-my mother. Now that | had returned, he couldn't lose me too. He roared furiously. "Who is it? Who dares cause trouble?" Dorothy pointed in my direction, her eyes gleaming with uncontained glee as we locked gazes. She smirked triumphantly as Leo charged toward me. The crowd awaited my punishment, their eyes filled with contempt. But the next moment, they didn't hear my cries.

Instead, they watched as Leo bowed deeply before me. "Chairman, | arrived late."