Chapter 80 The Unlikable Members of the Smith Family

Chapter 80 The Unlikable Members of the Smith Family

Ethan furrowed his brow. The children could attend private schools, but that would certainly draw unwanted attention.

Compared to Alexander's paternal instincts, their considerations weren't as comprehensive. Yet the more Alexander spoke, the more Ethan suspected his true motive was to whisk Sienna and the children away.

"You can forget about it," Ethan said firmly. "My parents won't agree to it, and neither will I. Don't think that following her here erases your past mistakes, Alexander."

Alexander remained unruffled. He pulled out his phone and tossed it to Ethan. "This gala has attracted representatives from various power circles. You'd better check your security—someone's likely infiltrated already."

After examining the surveillance footage, Ethan glared at Alexander and promptly dismissed him from the study.

Having little interest in the extended Smith relatives, Alexander headed upstairs to find Sienna. She was in her bedroom, being attended to by two stylists. 

When Alexander entered, he was transported back to their wedding day—Sienna radiant and captivating. He couldn't help but reflect on how he had sabotaged those three years of marriage; they could have been blissful, yet they'd only hurt each other.

"Mr. Knight has arrived," one of the stylists remarked. "Look, Ms. Smith, you've completely mesmerized him!"

Sienna looked at Alexander with slight embarrassment as the stylists discreetly left the room. Alexander approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You're breathtaking, Sienna," he whispered. "I almost don't want you to go out looking like this. I should keep you at home where other men can't discover how beautiful my Sienna truly is."

Sienna rolled her eyes and turned to face him. "I heard you've arranged schools for Henry and the others. What about your grandparents?"

Alexander guided her to sit on his lap. "The Knight Group has become too prominent. Being too conspicuous creates obstacles. When I first took over, domestic corporations united against us. That's when I began developing alternative strategies for the company. After years of groundwork, we have a solid foundation elsewhere. Relocating our focus was inevitable."

Market dominance was risky for any corporation, and the Knight family had become too visible. With domestic media constantly covering the Knight Group, Alexander felt confident in his decision.

"But the foreign markets aren't doing well. Won't you lose money?" Sienna asked.

Alexander's lips curved into a smile. "Are you questioning my business acumen? Don't worry—the Knight Group's focus has shifted beyond traditional industries. There are plenty of opportunities abroad."

Though business matters weren't Sienna's expertise, she trusted Alexander's judgment. Still, she felt guilty that he was sacrificing so much—precisely the reaction the shrewd Alexander had hoped for.

At eight o'clock, the gala officially began. Alexander escorted Sienna downstairs, carrying Olivia in his other arm with two impeccably dressed young boys following behind.

"Tonight's family gathering is in honor of Sienna," Gage announced proudly. "She was taken from us at birth and only recently found her way back. I officially declare that Sienna is a daughter of the Smith family."

Gage beamed as he made the announcement. Amara held Sienna's hand affectionately. Though Amara hadn't insisted on a name change, Sienna's name had already been entered into the family registry.

"Congratulations to Mr. Smith on finding your daughter at last!" someone called out.

"Indeed! The Smith family has always had more sons than daughters. How precious to have found a daughter after all these years! Mr. Smith, have you done DNA testing? You wouldn't want to be deceived by an impostor."

"Exactly—you can't just accept anyone who claims to be your daughter. What if you've made a mistake?"

While some offered congratulations, others made snide remarks. Sienna paid them no mind. Her family had only ever consisted of her parents and brothers; she'd likely see these relatives only a few times a year anyway.

Ethan and the others, however, wouldn't tolerate such disrespect. With a subtle nod to the security team, the offenders were promptly escorted out.

"Anyone who refuses to acknowledge Sienna will be expelled from the Smith family," Ethan declared. "And I should mention—twenty percent of the Smith family enterprise shares have been transferred to Sienna. You'll all be answering to her from now on. So anyone who disrespects her can leave the Smith family immediately."

The Smith family's assets were valued in the tens of billions of dollars. Twenty percent represented an enormous sum, making Sienna the largest individual shareholder in the Smith family enterprise.

No one dared speak against Sienna now. Instead, attention shifted to Alexander.

"Mr. Smith, your son-in-law looks quite distinguished. He seems familiar somehow."

Gage shot Alexander a withering glance. "Familiar? He's nothing but a con artist."

In Gage's eyes, Alexander would always be the scoundrel who had taken Sienna away. This comment caused others to regard Alexander as something of a failure.

Another guest approached, greeting Alexander in a foreign language, clearly hoping to embarrass him. To their surprise, Alexander responded fluently. William climbed onto Alexander's arm and perched there.

"I heard what you said," William remarked in the same foreign tongue. "You called my daddy a pauper. Have you ever seen a pauper this handsome?"

The man's face flushed with embarrassment as he realized Alexander might be more significant than he'd assumed. He quickly slipped away.

Sienna smiled at William's defense, then noticed Henry looking unhappy. She immediately picked him up.

"Henry, what's wrong?" she asked gently.

"Mommy, I hate them!" he declared.

Sienna kissed his cheek, trying to soothe him. She knew that when Henry became angry, the consequences could be severe.

"Henry, the world is full of all kinds of people. There will be those you like and those you don't. We can simply ignore the ones we don't care for, alright? We are not a hundred-dollar bill—we can't make everyone like us. Don't you agree?"

Henry nodded, resting his head on Sienna's shoulder. Sienna glanced worriedly at Alexander as Ethan approached, carrying Olivia.

"Sienna, what's happening?" Ethan asked.

"The children aren't feeling well. I think they should rest upstairs."

Alexander quickly took Henry, noticing the child's pallor, and headed upstairs. Amara followed them immediately.

Ethan remained, his gaze turning cold as he surveyed the gathering.

"I know many of you have long resented us and have little use for the Smith family's assistance," he announced. "So I'm declaring that, effective immediately, the Smith family's support for you all ends here."

The ballroom erupted in chaos at Ethan's pronouncement.

"Mr. Smith, what do you mean? How can you withdraw support? We are part of the Smith family!" someone protested indignantly.