Magnus had barely finished his sentence when Hamilton snorted dismissively.


    "Really, Magnus? Since when does Natalia have anything to do with the decisions made by the department and the ethicsmittee?"


    Magnus''s face turned sour in an instant.


    "Hamilton,e on, Delh is still your fiancée!"


    Hamilton''s expression turned icy. "I, Hamilton, have only ever proposed to one woman in my life, and that''s Natalia. Keep going, Magnus, and you''ll only


    embarrass yourself."


    "Hamilton, you—"


    "Enough!" Alfonso finally lost his patience and roared, "Do you think the Spiegel household is a joke? If you don''t want to be here, then get out!"


    Magnus nced at Hamilton, then looked away.


    He shamelessly approached Alfonso with the gift he had prepared.


    "Grandpa, you''ve watched Delh grow up. She was wrong about what happened, but I hope you won''t destroy a young girl''s future over one mistake."


    Alfonso snorted, but before he could speak, Delia intervened.


    "She chose her path and her actions. Her future is for her to decide, not for us to take the me for ruining it."


    Magnus choked up, "Delia, we grew up together. Delh is like your own granddaughter. This situation—"


    "If my own granddaughter did something like this, I wouldn''t wait for the department or the ethicsmittee to step in. I''d kick her out myself. People like that don''t deserve to stay."


    Delia''s words were fair and just, leaving Magnus speechless.


    His face turned a deep shade of blue, caught in an awkward position.


    Delh''s eyes welled up with tears. "Ms. Delia, how can you say that about me? And what about Natalia? With her history, does she deserve to stay in the department?"


    "What history?" Hamilton scoffed.


    "The rumors about her being kept by someone. Hamilton, even you can''t deny that."


    Hamilton chuckled. "So, a couple can''t have their little secrets now?"


    Delh''s eyes widened in shock. "Hamilton!"


    "Shut up!" Magnus wished he could p some sense into his granddaughter.


    Why couldn''t she see the situation for what it was?


    And yet, she dared to question Delia.


    Delia looked at Natalia with a pained expression. She had been sidelined in her career because of those rumors.


    Someone had anonymously used her of being kept.


    Although Dawsonter presented a recording where Hamilton exined


    everything, the rumors still affected Natalia.


    Whether she could salvage her career was uncertain.


    But in this moment, Delia remained silent.


    Delh, still defiant, protested. "Grandfather, I''m telling the truth!"


    Magnus was furious, barely restraining himself.


    Finally, Travis intervened.


    "Enough, both of you. This is a celebration, not a ce for your quarrels."


    Then, he turned to Caspian.


    "Show the guests out."


    Caspian approached the Powell family. "Please, this way. The banquet is about to start."


    Delh red at Natalia before storming out.


    Only after Delh left did Delia sigh.


    "Don''t take it to heart."


    She looked at Natalia, full ofpassion.


    If Natalia were her granddaughter, she would never let her experience such humiliation.


    Natalia merely smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Delia, Mr. Spiegel, for your support."


    Tears welled up in her eyes.


    She had always envied others for having a family.


    First, for having a father, then for having a father who didn''t hurt their mother, and


    She always felt her family connections were thin.


    Yet, today, she felt protected by the Spiegel family, as one of their own.


    Delia hugged Natalia tightly.


    "Silly girl, we''re just speaking the truth."


    As they left the room, Hamilton gently wiped Natalia''s tears.


    "Moved just by the Spiegel family saying a few words?"


    Natalia brushed his hand away, not understanding why she felt so emotional.


    Just then, someone called out.


    "Natalia."


    Ronin Joyner approached with Mason Joyner by his side.


    "Natalia, long time no see."


    Natalia nodded at Mason. "Indeed, President Joyner, how have you been?"


    Mason gave a small nod. "Not bad."


    Ronin rolled his eyes. "Not bad? The board is in chaos, and you say not bad?" Mason shot him a look. "Keep quiet, Ronin. No one thinks you''re mute."


    Ronin huffed. "I''ve always said Natalia is ourpany''s lucky charm, but you wouldn''t listen."


    Mason ignored him, focusing on Natalia. "How''s it going in the Foreign Affairs Department?"


    Natalia smiled. "It''s going well."


    Mason''s gaze flickered. "Seems like talented people thrive anywhere."


    Nataliaughed lightly, avoiding further discussion.


    Hamilton watched Mason with a shadow in his eyes.


    Mason nced at her and chuckled, "Now that we''re back in Boria City, if you


    guys need anything, you can hit me or Ronin up."


    Natalia nodded in agreement.


    Without further ado, Mason moved on, leaving Ronin to grumble and vent his frustrations to Natalia.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of the banquet hall.


    Mrs. Joyner was holding a ss


    wine, ne


    Spiegel, the


    third


    daughter-inw of the Spiegel family, standing before her


    "Better keep an eye on your folks, or who knows when they might get charmed away by some siren. Qur little Chase has been dodging blind dates like the gue. Is your Ronin the same?"


    Mrs. Joyner''s face bore a smile, "Ronin''s still young, his heart''s not settled yet, so


    I''m not pushing him into dating."


    Ingrid scoffed, "Young? He''s twenty-eight."


    Mrs. Joyner simply sipped her wine, ignoring thement.


    Finding the conversation dull, Ingrid walked away with her wine ss.


    No sooner had Ingrid left than Delh approached Mrs. Joyner.


    "Mrs. Joyner, about what Ingrid was saying, I think you should consider it. I heard that when President Joyner


    went to Silkwood City, he was quite taken with Natalia, even went to great lengths to recruit her to Ron Group. And then, right after Natalia left Ron Group, thepany seemed to lose its spark. Don''t you find that odd?"


    "You know, it''s not just young men who can fall for a pretty young woman. Maybe


    even President Joyner couldn''t resist?"


    Mrs. Joyner looked at Delh standing before her.


    She let out a softugh, "Delh, are you trying to stir up trouble because you


    can''t win on your own?"


    "Delh, don''t think you can use just anyone for your schemes."