Chapter 230: Chapter 230: The Canary Who Can’t Be Seen in Public
At the entrance of the meeting room, a tall, cool figure suddenly appeared.
Cecilia Vaughn’s appearance was exquisitely stunning, but her whole demeanor was nothing like an ordinary dainty woman—rather, it held an air of aloof resilience, set apart from the world.
Like a white flower blooming on the edge of a sheer cliff, indifferent to the battering wind and rain.
Standing behind Cecilia was a big, sturdy man, almost 1.9 meters tall, with muscles bulging beneath his long-sleeved T-shirt—clearly someone who practiced martial arts.
Fiona Vaughn stared at the icy Cecilia, and her fist under the table clenched tightly on instinct!
That little bitch actually has the nerve to show up here!
Just who does she think she is?!
Joan Sinclair, that old hag, had already been beaten down by their people, and the confession about the forged inheritance papers was in hand—did Cecilia really think she could smoothly inherit shares of Radiant Group?
Daydreaming!
...
The surrounding shareholders’ gazes all clung to Cecilia, not for any other reason, but simply because of her noble, detached aura—it was impossible to look away.
Although few here had attended Fiona’s engagement party, some with sharp eyes had already recognized Cecilia’s identity.
"Hey, isn’t that the Vaughn Family’s eldest miss, Cecilia Vaughn from Radiant Group?"
"Her? The woman rumored to have married The Eldest Young Master Law?"
"What, The Eldest Young Master Law is married? Didn’t they say he was impotent? If they’re really married, why didn’t he announce it to the world with a wedding like The Second Young Master did?"
"Who knows, but The Eldest Young Master Law’s been very protective of Miss Vaughn—it’s caused a major riff with The Second Young Master. Tsk tsk, flying into a rage over a beauty. I still can’t forget the scene at that engagement party."
A slightly younger shareholder smacked his lips, unable to help himself.
"Wow, so President Law isn’t gay after all? Turns out he’s secretly keeping his favorite woman as a canary?"
"Who the hell knows what’s going on with those two. Apparently, they’re officially married, but the Law Family refuses to acknowledge it. Rumor is, Miss Vaughn isn’t even allowed inside the Law family home—Director Law won’t recognize her as his daughter-in-law!"
"Children grow up and make their own decisions, who cares if Director Law acknowledges her or not? The Eldest Young Master Law likes her, and with Cecilia’s looks, no wonder he’d be head over heels despite family opposition."
"If you ask me, Miss Vaughn and The Eldest Young Master Law make a much better pair—they’re both legitimate children. Not like The Second Young Master and Miss Fiona; on the surface, both are children of the first wives, but everyone knows behind the scenes, they’re just the offspring of mistresses who clawed their way up."
...
The crowd sighed with intrigue, while Fiona seethed as she picked up on the whispered gossip around her.
What did they mean, she and Tyson Law’s statuses couldn’t see the light of day?
Her mother, Florence Warner, and Tyson’s mother, Mabel Keaton, were both openly wedded wives in the Vaughn and Law families! Besides, love has never been about who came first—only the unloved one is ever the real mistress!
Fiona fiercely pinched her own palm, finally managing to hide the bitterness in her teary eyes.
She stood up with a bright smile, nodding toward Cecilia from a distance.
"Sister, why are you only showing up just now? You’re already late, you know. Isn’t it a little inconsiderate to always keep everyone waiting?"
As she spoke, Fiona casually flaunted her Patek Philippe watch, and just as nonchalantly raised her left hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.
A huge diamond sparkled brightly, practically screaming ’I’m filthy rich’ across her face.
...
Cecilia glanced coldly at Fiona, her voice as cool as water.
"Late? This shareholders’ meeting starts promptly at nine, and it’s only eight fifty-nine right now. I’ve been here for a few minutes already."
"Also, Fiona Vaughn, you’re giving me the ’always keep people waiting’ label—I’m honestly flattered, but when have I ever kept you waiting?"
Fiona’s smile froze at Cecilia’s sharp retort.
She forced an awkward laugh.
"Really? Not even nine yet?"
She hesitated, glanced at her watch again, and sure enough, it had just literally turned nine o’clock.
The other shareholders looked back and forth at Cecilia and Fiona with some surprise.
Those two were really not on good terms, huh!
Especially Cecilia—even called her little sister directly by name!
At least Fiona tried to cover things by still calling her ’sister.’
The meeting hadn’t even officially started, and the two of them were already radiating gunpowder.
...
Feeling like a monkey being ogled in a zoo by those shareholders, Fiona bit down resentfully on her perfect teeth.
"Sister, just find a seat wherever you like. No matter what, you really ought to learn about punctuality. If everyone behaved as carelessly as you, how could we hold meetings at all? And then, how could anyone manage a company properly?"
Her voice was gentle as water, but sitting in the head seat, every word was meant to assert her authority as the leader—intentionally pressing down on Cecilia.
Cecilia saw exactly what game Fiona was playing.
She curled her lips into a smile with zero warmth and walked straight toward Fiona.
Fiona looked at her with a smile, eyes sweeping—seemingly unintentionally—across the delicate diamond ring on Cecilia’s left ring finger. Her eyes flashed mischievously, and she exclaimed with feigned surprise,
"Sister! Oh my, did Mr. Law finally propose to you formally? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you wear a diamond ring!"
Before she’d even finished, Fiona shot her mother a meaningful look.
Florence Warner picked up on it instantly, of course!
Hmph, such a pathetic little diamond—how cheap can she get, dragging it out here for all to see?
So embarrassing!
Florence immediately stepped forward with a smile, taking Fiona’s hand and holding it up to compare with Cecilia’s, posing as a caring mother.
"Cecilia, honey, that ring can’t be from The Eldest Young Master Law, can it? Isn’t that carat weight a bit pitiful?"
"I know you’re not my own daughter, but still, looking at you and Fiona’s rings side by side, it pains my heart. Our Vaughn Family isn’t short of money; if The Eldest Young Master Law doesn’t value you, why not just come back home, hmm?"
"You’ve been away for three years, and he refuses to give you a title, won’t even let you see your own father and me—do you really want to spend your entire life nameless and unacknowledged with some wild man?"
A mixture of truth and lie, enough to stir up all eyes in the room!
Cecilia’s been away for three years, and The Eldest Young Master Law won’t recognize his in-laws... Is Cecilia just his canary on the side?
Everyone stared at the ring on Cecilia’s hand—it was so small, compared with Fiona’s huge rock, it seemed almost pathetic. With the Law Family’s wealth, if they were marrying her properly, how could they treat her so shabbily?
Immediately, the chatter around them grew incessant.
But Cecilia seemed not to hear any of it. She stared coldly at Florence and Fiona.
"Florence, who are you calling a wild man?"
