Chapter 152 True and False Heiresses
Daphne's heart skipped a beat, but her smile remained unchanged, her acting skills impeccable as she added just the right touch of confusion. "Mr. Windsor, what do you mean by that? Genova BioTech is a legitimate enterprise. Their dispute with Obscura Fashion is a normal business conflict. The Scott family..."
"Let's be honest with each other." Charles interrupted her. "Targeting Obscura Fashion means targeting Emily. Hurting Emily means crossing my bottom line."
He slowly stepped forward, and the aura of someone who had long commanded power and looked down upon the world suddenly erupted, carrying an invisible oppressive force. "Mrs. Scott, past grievances belong to the previous generation. What the Windsor family's elders did in Eldoria back then was necessary self-preservation and retaliation in chaotic times; we simply had different positions. If the Campbell family insists on settling old scores with today's Windsor family, even going so far as to involve innocents and use such despicable methods to suppress a woman's career..."
"I don't mind letting the century-old grudge replay itself today. Only this time, the outcome might not be what the Campbell family desires!"
A threat! Daphne's expression instantly turned extremely grim.
Charles's words tore through the facade, directly pointing out the continuation of the century-old grudge between the Campbell family and the Windsor family, as well as the true reason behind targeting Obscura Fashion!
This undisguised toughness and protection made Daphne's heart both shocked and angry!
"Charles! How dare you be so arrogant!" A cold shout filled with anger came from the doorway.
Daniel appeared at the entrance at some point, clearly having heard the previous conversation. He quickly walked to Daphne's side, protecting her behind him, his eyes coldly fixed on Charles. "This is the Scott family! Not a place for you to display your arrogance! And my mother is not someone you can threaten!"
Charles's gaze swept lightly over Daniel. Before he could speak, a delicate yet surprised voice rang out first. "Aunt Daphne? Daniel? You... Charles? What are you doing here? Did you come to see me?"
Clara appeared wearing an exquisite loungewear set, apparently having come to check on the commotion. She now stood at the doorway, looking surprised at the confrontation in the hall.
Charles focused his gaze on Clara. "Why are you here?"
Clara stepped forward to link arms with Daphne, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "This is my aunt. Of course I'm here."
Aunt? Charles finally understood why the Scott family and Daphne were targeting Emily.
It was to protect Clara!
It seemed Daphne had been deceived by Clara.
Daphne was a Campbell family member, and Emily's mother, Scarlett was also a Campbell family member; they were sisters.
Daphne's real niece should be Emily.
But Clara had impersonated Emily's identity, usurped her position, and became Daphne's niece, thus gaining the Scott family's protection!
So the Scott family would spare no effort in targeting Obscura Fashion!
The root of all this stemmed from Clara's identity theft and her jealousy and schemes against Emily!
Charles felt towering rage surge in his heart, almost wanting to tear off this vicious woman's mask on the spot!
But he forcibly suppressed this impulse.
Now wasn't the time. If both the Scott family and the Campbell family were those who couldn't distinguish right from wrong based solely on blood relations, then Emily didn't necessarily need to acknowledge their relationship.
Moreover, whether to acknowledge kinship was Emily's decision; she needed to decide for herself. He wouldn't overstep his bounds.
Given the relationship between the Windsor family and the Campbell family, even if he revealed the truth now, Daphne and Daniel probably wouldn't believe him.
Rather than humiliate himself, it was better to wait and see.
He looked deeply at Clara, his gaze cold and piercing, carrying the sharpness of seeing through everything and undisguised disgust, making Clara's heart jump and a chill rise from her feet.
Did he know everything?
Charles withdrew his gaze and looked back at the grim-faced Daphne and furious Daniel, his tone returning to its previous calm.
"Mrs. Scott, Mr. Daniel Scott, I came here tonight not to provoke. I'm simply reminding you both not to let certain people's lies and carefully crafted facades blind your judgment, leading you to do things that hurt your loved ones while benefiting your enemies, even becoming a laughingstock."
He paused, meaningfully emphasizing his tone. "Some people appear pitifully innocent on the surface but have hearts like venomous snakes. They excel at using others as weapons, manipulating everyone around them. You're both intelligent people. I believe you understand what I'm referring to."
With that, Charles no longer looked at anyone, signaling to Nathan, "Nathan, we're leaving."
He turned and walked straight out of the cold, oppressive Scott Manor.
In the main hall, deathly silence reigned.
"How can he be so arrogant! Who does he think he is? Daring to come to Scott Manor and spout such nonsense! And threaten us! I think he's been bewitched by that Emily woman!" Daniel's face turned grim with anger.
Daphne's expression was dark as Charles's final words struck like daggers into her heart, already shaken by doubt!
Her gaze involuntarily turned to Clara, who stood nearby with a slightly pale face and somewhat evasive eyes.
"Clara."
"Aunt Daphne!" Clara immediately put on an aggrieved yet concerned expression. "Don't be angry. Charles must be protecting Emily; that's why he's acting this way. Emily is best at playing pitiful to gain sympathy. Charles must have been deceived by her!"
"Enough!" Daphne suddenly interrupted her with some irritation.
Daphne said nothing more, only looking at Clara with a complex, indecipherable gaze carrying scrutiny, suspicion, and a trace of coldness sparked by Charles's words.
She withdrew her arm, turned around, and walked upstairs without a word.
Daniel watched Daphne's reaction, then looked at Clara's aggrieved, tearful expression, his brow furrowing tightly.
Charles's words, Daphne's abnormal reaction, like a fog, shrouded Daniel's mind.
Clara, watching Daphne's departing figure and feeling Daniel's confused gaze, hid her hands in her sleeves as her nails dug deep into her palms. A tremendous panic swept over her like icy floodwater.
Charles knew! He definitely knew something!
His final words were a warning!