Chapter 4

Everyone instinctively turned to look and saw Sidney approaching them through a throng of people. He exuded an air of confidence, standing tall and handsome. It was an undeniable fact that he stood out among his classmates, living up to his reputation as the most popular guy in their high school back then. "Sidney, Aurora splashed red wine on Whitney! She's gone too far!" Linna shrieked a complaint as she rushed to Sidney's side, dragging Whitney along for the ride. Whitney bit her lip, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at Sidney, silently conveying her grievance. She even started trembling slightly, looking like the piteous victim she was trying to project. Sidney froze slightly upon seeing Aurora. His eyes flickered with a complex mix of emotions. Nevertheless, he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over Whitney's shoulders, gently patting her as he comforted her softly, "There now. I'll have Tobias get a spare gown ready for you. Why don't you change out of this gown?" Whitney looked up at him through her lashes. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she nodded. "Okay. It's not Aurora's fault. This happened because I was clumsy. There's no need to pin the blame on anyone. You should all continue to enjoy yourselves." Aurora couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity. "You're one pathetic and conniving little bitch, aren't you? You say it's not my fault, but your words are rife with insinuations. Piece of advice? Don't dish it out if you can't take it! "Whitney, you were the one who challenged Stella to a bet. Why is it okay for someone else to serve themselves on a silver platter while you can't do the same?" Whitney's face stiffened as she shot a helpless glance at Sidney. Then, she bit her lip and lowered her head in dejected silence. Meanwhile, Linna couldn't bear to be on the losing team. So, she snapped hotly, "What are you on about? Everyone knows you've been unhappy ever since Whitney's return as it exposed you for being nothing but a fake! That's why you've returned from abroad! You intend to stir up trouble!" Linna was practically acting as Whitney's mouthpiece. Thus, Whitney raised her head slightly and gazed at Linna with tearful eyes. Linna immediately felt bolstered as she pressed on righteously, "You're resentful that Whitney is engaged to Sidney. But you've forgotten that Whitney is the Klein family's true heiress! You've been enjoying her rightful position for so many years. Yet instead of being grateful, you've turned against her! How could you do such a thing? How could you bite the hands that feed you?" Sidney's expression turned dark upon hearing Linna's words, and he glared at Aurora with increasing irritation and revulsion. "That's enough! I don't care what feud you have against the other, but you should be mindful of the occasion." With that said, he spun on his heel and left with Whitney, completely dismissing Aurora. "The Sander family only agreed to have a marriage alliance with the Klein family because I helped Sander Corporation out of a sticky situation. After that, the Sander family decided to discuss a marriage alliance with the Klein family," a cold voice interjected. Sidney promptly halted in his tracks, rooted by that statement. "Who exactly does the Sander family want? Sidney, I'm sure you know the answer to that better than anyone else here." Sidney grimaced as he retorted, "It still doesn't justify you bullying Whitney!" Aurora replied, "Whitney bullied my friend. I was simply protecting her from harm. As for biting the hands that feed me? That has yet to be determined. I suggest you watch your tongue before you ruin the Klein family's painstaking efforts. Also, Whitney? I don't remember you being so ignorant." Aurora's comments sliced through the tense atmosphere as though it was nothing. By the time she was done with her piece, she had already passed the other two by. Everyone was still playing catch-up when they noticed Mitchell, the man of the moment, approaching Aurora enthusiastically. "My dear Aurora, you've finally arrived! I've practically blown up your phone with the number of times I called you. I was worried that you wouldn't show up at all." "Happy birthday, Mr. Billingsworth," Aurora said politely as she presented her gift. "You're as thoughtful as ever. Come with me. I want to introduce you to my friends. I can't wait to brag about the most outstanding student in my entire career! I can't wait to see them turn green with envy!" Mitchell exclaimed gleefully. Then, he patted Aurora on the back and led her toward the lounge. Judging by how Mitchell was acting, it seemed that Aurora wasn't a nobody at all. Everyone was stunned by this discovery, and they quickly turned to stare at Linna. Linna did say that Aurora only managed to attend this party because she was riding on the Klein family's coattails. But it certainly looked nothing like it! If anything, it was far more likely that Mitchell had invited her personally. Linna felt utterly humiliated by the turn of events. Her frustration boiled over as she lost all decorum and stomped her feet in annoyance. She had no idea when Aurora became so familiar with Mitchell. On the other hand, a calm gaze had taken in the entire fiasco from the balcony above the banquet hall. "What are you looking at?" A crisp voice broke the silence. Before Owen could respond, Damian had already sauntered over with two glasses of wine. Then, he followed Owen's line of sight and found that a party seemed to be taking place below. "It's nothing," Owen replied indifferently as he withdrew his gaze. He hadn't expected to encounter Aurora here, the very same woman he had just tied the knot with a few days ago. She had pretty much disappeared without a trace after that. Although she was in a rather awkward situation, she remained composed throughout the ordeal. There wasn't even a sliver of panic in her demeanor. It seemed that she was quite the formidable one. He couldn't help but recall that she had been on several blind dates after returning to the country. Did she perhaps remain single all this while because of the fellow called Sidney? Owen sneered inwardly and didn't bother intervening. Since Rhea thought so highly of her, he should give her the opportunity to shine. Then, he would be able to pay her to go on her merry way once she exhausted all her resources. Women were simple creatures. If a man wasn't able to handle them, it only meant that the number of zeros on the check wasn't enough. Aurora was probably no different. "Are you hiding from your gaggle of admirers and brown nosers?" Damian took a sip from his glass as he drawled, "You've caused quite the commotion by donating 70 million to Astrait University. Are you truly planning to invest in Astrait University?" "Astrait University's talents are not inferior to those abroad. They just need better funding for their research," Owen answered dispassionately. Damian nodded before saying tentatively, "I'm just worried that this endeavor will take longer than expected."