Chapter 9

Laura rose from the banquet like a star surrounded by admirers, dragging her dress as she ascended, seemingly convinced that the promotion was hers.

The spotlight also shone on Laura.

She was wearing a dazzling long dress adorned with diamonds, gracefully making her way to the stage.

Mr. Hamlin turned to me and said, "Bella."

"Why don't you come up and say a few words?"

The entire room erupted in astonishment.

Laura stared at me in disbelief, then looked at Mr. Hamlin.

She ran up to Mr. Hamlin and shouted, "Dad! Are you crazy? How could Bella be your daughter?! Why are you giving her the promotion?"

After a pause, she seemed to realize something.

"Did she make you her godfather?"

Then she turned to me and screamed:

"Bella?! Have you no shame!"

Laura's face twisted with rage as she rushed towards me, intending to slap me, but tripped over her own dress and tumbled down the steps, landing awkwardly.

Even as she fell, she continued to curse venomously.

"You've seduced my husband repeatedly, and now you're after Kenneth too? And now you're targeting my father?!"

"Do you have to destroy my entire family?"

"Dad, don't be fooled by Bella! She's nothing but a manipulative vixen!"

"Enough!" my father shouted loudly, silencing Laura instantly.

"She is my biological daughter. I know exactly what kind of person she is. Stop embarrassing yourself!" When my father got angry, no one dared to make a sound.

Laura stood there as if struck by lightning.

"This can't be true. How could Bella be Dad's biological daughter?"

"Well, she's definitely more related than you, his stepdaughter," Kenneth mocked.

Laura looked as if she'd been stripped bare in public. She had always prided herself on being the only daughter of the Hamlin family.

No one had ever thought that she was merely a stepdaughter with no blood relation to the chairman.

Laura hesitated for a moment before frantically waving her hands like a clown exposed.

Kenneth smiled at my father and said, "Mr. Hamlin, you have such patience. A woman with no blood relation has bullied your daughter. Poor Bella."

He looked at me with pity.

Cunning.

I smirked; I liked it though.

My father's expression darkened as well. The situation was too tense, so I took the opportunity to go on stage and deliver my promotion speech.

"Hello everyone, I'm Bella. Due to certain reasons, I had to conceal my identity when joining the Hamlin family. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

"During my time with the company, I've noticed some internal corruption. Leadership often overlooks employees' personal abilities and focuses solely on connections and status for promotions."

"Some people lack any capability but rely on their status to bully others in the workplace and climb up through relationships. They plagiarize employees' plans while pretending to give them opportunities."

"The loss of talent in our company can largely be attributed to these individuals."

"In the coming year, after taking office, I will implement reforms targeting these issues..."

After I finished my speech, the audience erupted in applause.

Of course, a few faces looked as if they had swallowed flies.

Jasper's mouth was wide open in shock.