Chapter 126
Elizabeth's calm yet sharp retort hit Lilith like a series of public slaps to the face. Furious and humiliated, yet unable to lash out, she could only watch helplessly as Elizabeth gracefully departed, rejoining that radiant circle that belonged to Jacob.
She clenched her fists, nails digging deep into her palms, eyes burning with venomous flames.
That bitch Elizabeth! How dare she treat her like this!
And bringing up the Sawyer incident! That was her ultimate humiliation!
Thinking of Sawyer made Lilith's chest tighten even more.
After that day, although Sawyer hadn't openly done anything against the Moretti family, several important cooperation projects under negotiation had been shelved or directly canceled for various flimsy reasons. Her father had been furious about it, sternly warning her to behave herself lately and stop causing trouble.
But how could she stand watching Elizabeth marry into glory?!
No way! She had to teach Elizabeth a lesson!
Even if she couldn't destroy this marriage, she'd make Elizabeth lose face completely at the engagement party, show Jacob that this woman wasn't worthy of him at all!
A vicious idea formed in her mind.
She beckoned to a trusted servant, whispered a few instructions, and a cold smile curved her lips.
As the party reached its later stages, the atmosphere was lively and the wine flowing freely. Servers moved back and forth, refilling drinks and serving dishes.
Lilith kept a close watch on Elizabeth's side. When she saw Elizabeth looking somewhat tired and getting up to use the restroom, her heart leaped with joy, and she immediately gave the servant a signal.
The servant understood. Carrying a tray of freshly poured champagne meant for the main table, he took advantage of a slightly crowded moment during a server handoff to discreetly apply a layer of colorless, tasteless, powerful hallucinogen to the rim of one glass.
This drug could make someone confused and hallucinate in a short time, causing them to behave inappropriately.
The tray was delivered near the main table.
Lilith's servant was about to "accidentally" hand the spiked glass to Elizabeth's personal maid to give to Elizabeth.
However, just as his fingers were about to touch that wine glass, a slender, strong hand reached out from the side and took the glass first.
It was Jacob.
He had somehow noticed the commotion here. His eyes swept coldly over the panicked-looking servant, then glanced at Lilith watching nervously from a distance.
He said nothing, just held the glass up to his face and sniffed it ever so slightly. Then his eyes suddenly turned ice-cold and piercing!
He looked up sharply toward Lilith's direction. The killing intent and warning in his eyes made Lilith instantly feel like she'd fallen into an ice cave, her blood running cold!
Jacob casually poured the wine into a nearby potted plant, then said something in a low voice to Leon beside him.
Leon immediately nodded and quietly walked toward the servant who had tried to drug the drink.
Lilith was scared out of her wits. Knowing the plan had been exposed, she quickly tried to turn and flee.
But the moment she moved, she felt her arm firmly gripped from behind!
It was Jacob's bodyguards!
They had somehow surrounded her without a sound!
"Ms. Moretti," Leon walked up to her, expressionless, his voice cold, "Mr. Smith requests your presence."
Lilith's face turned deathly pale. She tried to struggle but was escorted without resistance to a quiet, small reception room next to the banquet hall.
Jacob was already waiting there, his back to the door, standing by the window.
The door closed, cutting off the noise from outside.
Jacob slowly turned around. His face showed no expression, but the oppressive aura surrounding him nearly suffocated Lilith.
"Lilith Moretti," Jacob spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm, "do you think that because I've been too busy lately, I have no time to deal with your petty little schemes?"
"Mr. Smith... I... I didn't..." Lilith stammered incoherently in fear.
"Didn't?" Jacob laughed coldly, walking up to her and looking down at her from above. "You dare to pull the same trick at my engagement party? Lilith, your nerve is getting bigger and bigger."
"It wasn't me! It was that servant who..." Lilith tried to make excuses.
Jacob suddenly raised his hand and grabbed her chin, the force so strong it made her cry out in pain, though she didn't dare resist.
"I hate people playing games in front of me, and I hate even more when someone repeatedly crosses my boundaries." Jacob's eyes were cold as knives, as if looking at a lifeless object. "For your father's sake, and because today is my important day, I don't want to see blood."
He released his grip. Lilith staggered backward, clutching her aching chin, looking at him in terror.
"Get out. Tell your father that those three blocks on the border between the Moretti family and the Smith Family now belong to me, starting today. As payment for your repeated provocations." Jacob's tone was indifferent, as if discussing something trivial. "If there's a next time, I'll want more than just a few blocks."
Lilith completely collapsed to the floor.
Those three blocks were important revenue sources and strongholds for the Moretti family!
Her father would never agree!
But did she dare refuse? Jacob's methods...
"Also," Jacob added, his tone carrying a hint of mockery, "to thank you for today's gift, I've prepared a return gift for you too. I hope you like it."
With that, he stopped looking at her and turned to leave.
Lilith was escorted out of the reception room in a daze, not even daring to return to the banquet hall, fleeing in panic.
However, her punishment wasn't over yet.
Before long, there was another small commotion at the banquet hall entrance.
Ten young women with gorgeous looks, hot figures, and revealing outfits walked straight in, led by someone who looked like a manager.
Each had seductive eyes and alluring postures, drawing countless gazes the moment they appeared.
The lead manager walked to the main table and bowed to Jacob, "Mr. Smith, these are wedding gifts from Ms. Moretti, who said they're for your entertainment."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in shock!
Sending ten beautiful women to the groom at an engagement party?!
This was a blatant humiliation and provocation!
Everyone looked at Jacob, wanting to know how this hot-tempered godfather would react.
Jacob's face still showed no expression. He didn't even glance at those women, just gave Leon a casual instruction, "Since they're gifts, accept them."
Everyone was stunned.
Accept them? Was Jacob really going to accept these women?
Then Jacob added, "That newly opened Elysium Lounge in the south part of town—aren't they short-staffed? Send them there, hand them over to the manager, and have them start working. The money they earn goes to the Smith Family accounts. Consider it Ms. Moretti's investment in our Smith Family's new business."