"It might be hard to believe now, but it's the truth."
"If you don't trust me, feel free to let your President Mancini try."
Everleigh raised an eyebrow, scoffing in disbelief.
"Fine. Let's see. It's impressive how people with no sense of their own limits still have the gall to act so high and mighty in front of me."
I wasn't bothered by her words. Instead, I stood my ground, calm and unshaken.
"Sorry, but I'm not like you. I, Azalea, never rely on a man's money."
As soon as the words left my lips, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
"Anyone can talk big. If she's so capable, why settle for being a housewife?"
"Exactly! President Mancini's a billionaire, a rising star. Who does she think she is?"
"She's just a clown, trying to make herself the center of attention. Why even waste time with her?"
I stood, my eyes scanning the room, every whisper falling silent in my wake.
"Ladies and gentlemen, listen closely; I don't just look down on the Mancini Family. I look down on every single one of you here."
I might not have been well-versed in business, but I knew how to be a decent person.
Yet, from the moment I stepped into this venue, these so-called business elites hadn't been discussing philanthropy or progress. No, they had been too busy groveling at Clyde's feet.
The moment I spoke, I became the enemy of the room. A wave of hostility surged toward me and even the host could no longer mask his disdain.
"Madam, people like you are not welcome at this auction."
Slowly, I lifted my head, my gaze locking onto the stage.
"Oh? And what kind of person am I, exactly?"
Before the host could answer, a sudden movement caught my eye. The secretary stormed onto the stage, snatching the microphone in a fit of rage.
"Azalea, you're nothing but a worthless nobody!"
Everleigh's voice rang through the speakers, echoing in every corner of the hall.
The so-called elites shot to their feet, their applause like the crackle of a roaring fire. Their faces brimmed with satisfaction as if they had just witnessed a great spectacle.
Even Clyde, who had been silent all this time, leaned back in his seat, watching me with smug amusement, relishing in my supposed downfall.
As I took in the scene before me, a bitter realization settled in my chest: how foolish I had been to pull the Mancini Family out of their crisis back then.