“She’s not wrong. By status alone, this is exactly where she belongs.”
The shift in the crowd’s murmurs made Veronica’s face darken with fury. The socialites who had been snickering with her moments before fell silent, unwilling to draw Khloe’s ire.
But before the situation could settle, the banquet manager rushed over, his face pale and beaded with sweat.
The team had already been in a panic over the seating blunder. Then, just minutes ago, they had received word- an unexpected, heavyweight guest had arrived.
Bowing repeatedly, the manager apologized profusely. “Mis Morrison, we’ve prepared another seat for you. Please, allow us to escort you.”
Without waiting for her consent, he placed a name card on the table.
The card was faced away from Khloe, but Veronica and her friends saw it immediately.
Nick.
It was Nick Hunt.
Everyone knew-even at the height of their power, the Morrison family’s influence, both domestic and international, paled in comparison to the Hunts’.
Charmin 2h
The organizers would rather offend the Morrisons a hundred times over than risk displeasing the Hunts. And certainly not for Khloe-a newcomer, a recently acknowledged illegitimate daughter with no established power base.
Besides, Nick was infamous for avoiding social functions. His unexpected appearance tonight had instantly elevated the entire event’s prestige.
“Since your oversight left me without a seat,” Khloe replied, her tone still calm, “it seems only fair that I sit where I can.”
She had no desire to make the organizers’ lives harder their panic was evident-but if she backed down now, the humiliation would be entirely hers.
Seeing the name card, Veronica let out a triumphant, mocking laugh.
“Khloe, give it up. This seat is far beyond your reach. Stop embarrassing yourself. There’s always a bigger fish. If you don’t move, you’ll be disgracing not just yourself, but the entire Morrison name.”
The sight of Nick’s name silenced even those who had just spoken in Khloe’s defense.
Now, their eyes held no support, only a cold, eager anticipation-waiting for the show to unfold.
The Morrison family versus the Hunt family.
An illegitimate daughter against a legendary titan.
No matter how this played out, Khloe would be the one left utterly humiliated.
Yet Khloe remained seated, her composure unshaken, her poise so natural it couldn’t possibly be an act.
The organizer, realizing she wouldn’t be moved easily, was on the verge of begging. “Miss Morrison, it was our error! We can arrange another seat for you at the head table immediately-we promise you won’t be slighted. It’s just that this particular seat… was reserved some time ago. The guest will be here any moment. Please, don’t make this difficult for me…”
The longer Khloe held her ground, the more strained the atmosphere grew. Whether she stayed or left now, it would be awkward.
Veronica’s smirk widened, her triumph barely contained. Sie seized the moment to twist the knife.
“Some people love to put on a show, but they never know how to end it. It’s just pathetic.”
Her barb ignited a wave of murmurs. Voices around the room suggested it would be wiser for Khloe to yield gracefully. At least then she could save face by appearing considerate of the organizers.
If she was forced out or clung on until a scene erupted, the humiliation would be far greater.
A faint smile touched Khloe’s lips. She adjusted her posture with deliberate elegance, gathered her thoughts, and spoke with calm authority, “I understand that mistakes happen.”
Her voice was even, but her gaze sharpened as it landed on the pale manager, her tone turning icy.
“But I am here as the official representative of Morrison Group. By occupying this seat, I uphold the dignity of the Morrison family. First, you failed to place my name card. Now, for the sake of a guest who hasn’t even arrived, you ask me to move to a makeshift seat? Does that mean the Morrison family’s honor isn’t worthy of your respect?”
A stunned silence fell over the room. Everyone understood the weight the Morrison name carried-this blunder was, indeed, a profound sign of disrespect.
Cold sweat beaded on the manager’s forehead. He opened his mouth to explain, but Khloe pressed on.
“As for the distinguished guest who is on his way, his presence is a favor to this event. But if, due to your error, it appears that he ‘took the seat’ from the Morrison family, that is surely not the reputation he would wish to cultivate.”
Her meaning was razor-sharp. The fault lay entirely with the organizers. She would not be made a scapegoat, nor would she be pitted against the incoming guest.
From the sidelines, Veronica sneered, waiting for Khloe to crumble. What could she possibly do? Force the organizers to give up the reserved seat? Impossible.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.