CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163: FACE-SLAPPING

Realizing the hatred in Rosalind’s tone towards Vera, Theodore raised an eyebrow, "Rosalind, I don’t know much about this Miss Sheridan. But the root of the matter lies with Noah, as you heard, he’s the one pursuing and pestering her."

Rosalind’s face darkened, then she snorted softly, "Big brother, you really don’t understand. That woman, I’ve sought her out twice, and she didn’t back down. Noah pestering her? It’s clear she’s manipulating things, leading my son on!"

"Two men have been miserably entangled by her, and it’s not her fault?"

Theodore had previously approached Noah, so he understood the entanglement involving Vera, Ian, and his nephew.

Looking at his sister’s stubbornness, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he ultimately said nothing more.

He also understood his sister’s pride, and any persuasion at this moment would only add fuel to the fire.

"Alright, the charity auction is about to begin. Adjust your mood, and don’t let others laugh at us."

Rosalind took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress her boiling anger, took a heartache medicine to relieve the pain at the back of her head.

"You’re right, big brother." She stood up, smoothing out her dress, and regained her graceful demeanor.

The two walked out of the lounge, and Vivian immediately approached, cautiously observing Rosalind’s expression. Seeing her somewhat calmer now, she felt slightly relieved and obediently followed by her side.

...

In the auction hall, the lighting was soft, and guests gradually took their seats.

Waiters guided Rosalind and Vivian to the main table with a perfect view.

As soon as they sat down, they looked up and saw Vera at an angle ahead.

She was sitting right at the central table, looking down at a promotional brochure.

The seat next to her had a name tag that clearly read "Mrs. Payne."

Vivian’s pupils contracted, and she exchanged a glance with Rosalind.

The two understood each other: Vera, wanting to draw attention, had moved her name to this most notable seat!

"Really quite shameless! Such a disgrace!" Rosalind whispered through clenched teeth, full of disdain.

Vivian sighed lightly, frowning, "Mrs. Payne, for Noah’s sake, won’t say anything to her, right?... But this is too obvious, what do outsiders think of her... Aunt, should I go remind Senior Vera?"

Rosalind grabbed her wrist, "Let her be! Just let Noah see how vain this woman is!"

But Vivian gently broke free, insisting, "Aunt, after all, she’s a member of our dance troupe. I can’t stand by and watch her make a fool of herself."

With that, she got up and walked toward Vera.

Vera was absorbed in looking at photos of autistic children helped by the foundation when a voice suddenly dropped from above, clear enough to be heard by several nearby tables:

"Senior Vera, this seat is typically reserved for those who’ve made significant contributions to charity. As a newcomer, you might not be aware of the customs here."

"Even though Noah cherishes you, we should mind our propriety, so as not to make Mrs. Payne uncomfortable or give people room to laugh."

Vera paused in her page-turning, turned her head, and met Vivian’s disdainful gaze, pondering her words, and let out a soft "hmph" through her nose.

The entire banquet hall fell into an awkward silence.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Vera, curious, disdainful, or anticipating a spectacle...

Some elegant ladies covered their mouths in shock, thinking Vera really did something so lowly and despicable like swapping seats just to grab attention?

Chloe raised her head, thinking, Vera wouldn’t stoop to such things.

At this moment, Noah’s voice came, deep and steady, "Are you saying that Vera deliberately swapped seats?"

He had just returned from smoking, still carrying a faint scent of tobacco, and walked straight to stand beside Vera.

Seeing him coming to protect Vera, Vivian’s heart sank: His first reaction was to defend her? Not believing Vera would do such a thing?

Not far away, Rosalind’s face also darkened.

Vera watched Vivian calmly, saying nothing, as if she were an outsider.

Vivian put on an innocent face, softening her voice, "Noah, don’t misunderstand! How could I think that about Senior Vera?"

"Maybe some waiter accidentally placed the name tag wrong?"

Worried Noah might think she intentionally slandered Vera, she raised her voice to remind him, "Noah, I’m simply puzzled. If the waiter made a mistake, wouldn’t Senior Vera know this seat is the C position?"

The implication was clear enough: If the waiter made a mistake, Vera herself would know how important this seat was. It was obviously deliberate on her part!

Those around picked up on Vivian’s insinuation, becoming more convinced that Vera had moved her seat.

Noah looked at Vivian and directly asked, "She knows this is the C position, so what if she sits here?"

Vivian was suddenly caught off-guard, not expecting Noah to defend Vera to this extent.

Rosalind thought he had totally lost his mind!

Vivian forced a smile, "Right, Mrs. Payne, for your sake, won’t hold it against Senior Vera. But I wonder what everyone else is thinking about her... Let it be, I overstepped."

Just as Vivian was about to step away, a voice came from behind her, "Miss, Miss Sheridan sitting here is no mistake, nor is it due to anyone’s favor."

Mrs. Payne walked over.

Vivian stopped in her tracks, frozen in place.

Not far off, Rosalind was taken aback for a moment, then sneered inwardly: Mrs. Payne was just smoothing things over for Noah’s sake, crafting a polite exit for Vera!

Mrs. Payne, dressed in an elegant cheongsam, exuded grace.

She approached Vera, gave her a warm smile, gently took her hand, and brought her to her side.

Then, her gaze slowly swept over the whole room, "Two years ago, when The Payne Family was under turmoil, and this foundation was in dire straits, with no one daring to get involved, almost at a dead end, it was Miss Sheridan who quietly contributed two billion to preserve the last hope for hundreds of starry children."

"Tonight’s charity gala could be held, and the new rehab center set up, every one of you gathered here to give your love, all trace back to her initial kindness!"

Mrs. Payne firmly stated, word by word, "So, this seat is out of my respect for her!"

At her words, nearly everyone was stunned.

It was as if Vivian had been hit hard over the head, her mind went blank, and she swayed slightly.

Rosalind clutched her evening bag tightly, her knuckles paling, her eyes fixed on Vera, whom Mrs. Payne was so fond of, her chest rising and falling.

Could it be that two years ago she had already connected with Mrs. Payne... not merely by the light of her son...

At this moment, Vera faced everyone, her smile gracious and elegant, "Thank you, Mrs. Payne, for your kind words. It was her and her foundation team’s persistence over the years that these children now have a future."

"I merely did my small part."

Her voice fell, she clasped her hands together and bowed, "Thank you, everyone!"

Noah’s gaze fixed on her, eyes filled with pride, his Adam’s apple moved, and he began to clap steadily and firmly.

The audience watched this unfold, one by one raising their hands, and the scattered applause quickly became a round of applause.

Chloe clapped non-stop, the usually gentle and proper person, filled with admiration for Vera, like a fan girl, while Jasper beside her had a slight smile, finding it amusing.

...

Late at night, the elevator stopped with a "ding" on the 27th floor.

Vera stepped out, her gaze sweeping across as the tall figure followed her out.

She simply turned around, her lips curved into a smile, "Mr. Grant, you need to adjust to the time zone difference."

Speaking, she gave a gentle push to his chest, not with much force, clearly meaning to send him off, "Stop it, go upstairs and get some sleep."

Before her fingers even left the fabric of his shirt, her wrist was seized by an unyielding force.

Noah pinned her against the wall beside them, with his whole weight pressing down, his warm breath laden with the heavy scent of alcohol, wrapping around her instantly.

"I just want to go up and see my son." He lowered his gaze, his eyes locked on hers, his voice hoarse and hot with alcohol, "Miss Sheridan, what’s on your mind, hmm?"

Vera turned her head, playfully chiding him, "You smell of alcohol. Stay away a bit."

During the latter part of the banquet, he had drunk quite a bit during the socialization, unable to stop with glass after glass.

She had sent him several texts, telling him to drink less, and he hadn’t replied to any.