Chapter 183: What if it’s all a misunderstanding?

[Flashback]

After dealing with Thomas, Clara wasted no time and hurried back to the venue. However, as she passed through the lawn outside, she overheard a few men talking about Vincent.

Clara paused.

It wasn’t that she made a habit of eavesdropping, but when it came to the Hayes family, she had no intention of turning a blind eye.

She quietly stepped behind a tree and peeked around it. A few businessmen stood nearby, speaking in hushed but mocking tones.

"I’ve never seen a man as shameless as Vincent Hayes," one of them remarked. "Can you believe that even after Adrian bluntly rejected him, he still managed to pull strings and get into this event? I heard he wasn’t even invited."

Clara furrowed her brows at their words but didn’t dwell on them. Instead, she remained where she was and continued listening.

"I have some inside information," another businessman said, lowering his voice. "Apparently, Adrian discovered that Vincent had been using illegal methods to sell his products. That’s why he rejected Vincent’s proposal."

"Seriously?" the first man asked.

"Yes. And after rejecting him, Adrian decided to bring in a new business for the charity event—the bakery responsible for the delicacies."

Clara’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So that’s why Vincent has been acting so strangely," another man muttered. "He probably came here hoping to change Adrian’s mind."

"Exactly. But Adrian clearly has no interest in working with him."

Clara remained hidden behind the tree, absorbing every word.

She had initially assumed Vincent’s presence at the event was merely another attempt to show off the Hayes family’s influence. But if what these men were saying was true, then Vincent had another reason for being there.

And that reason had something to do with Adrian Graham.

As Clara continued to ponder, realization struck her, and the pieces began to fall into place.

Vincent Hayes was a businessman, after all. There was no way he would simply accept Adrian’s rejection without investigating the person Adrian had chosen to work with instead.

And once he discovered the truth, there was no chance he would remain silent. The Hayes family had never been known for accepting a blow to their pride gracefully.

Clara’s eyes flickered with understanding.

If Vincent had learned that Adrian had chosen the bakery for the charity event instead of Hayes International, he might have tried to sabotage the arrangement. But Julianna was another matter. Her jealousy toward Clara could easily have pushed her to take things even further.

Clara’s expression darkened.

There was no way she would allow innocent people to get hurt because of Julianna’s resentment. She had to return to the venue immediately.

Without wasting another second, Clara turned and hurried back toward the event.

However, by the time she reached the venue, Julianna had already put her plan into motion.

[Present]

Dorothy, who noticed Clara’s unwavering gaze, stepped forward.

"Clara, what exactly are you trying to imply?" she demanded, her eyes shooting daggers at her.

Clara, however, merely let out a soft chuckle.

"Clara, even if there are no cameras to prove your innocence, I suggest you admit to what you’ve done instead of continuing to distract everyone," Dorothy said coldly.

"And I already said I won’t," Clara replied, remaining firm.

Julianna’s expression tightened.

She was beginning to lose her patience.

This bitch still refuses to give in. I need to do something.

Her eyes flickered as she searched for another way to pressure Clara. Then, as though she had suddenly thought of something, she turned her attention toward the crowd.

"Clara, you should at least think about Dad," Julianna said, her voice taking on a softer, more concerned tone. "He has always supported you despite everything. How could you do something like this? Don’t you care about him at all?"

Her words immediately drew the attention of the people nearby.

Julianna knew exactly when to press Vincent’s buttons. The more she portrayed Clara as an ungrateful daughter who cared nothing for her family’s reputation, the more pressure Vincent would feel to act.

She had no doubt that Vincent would not tolerate being humiliated in front of so many influential guests.

Vincent’s face darkened as he watched Clara stand her ground. Her refusal to apologize, combined with the crowd’s growing suspicion, made his anger rise.

He could already imagine the whispers that would spread after the event. If Clara continued to challenge them publicly, the Hayes family’s reputation would inevitably be dragged into the scandal.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Vincent stepped forward and raised his hand.

"Clara, you ungrateful brat!" he snapped. "How dare you drag our family name through the mud like this?"

His raised hand hovered in the air, and several guests gasped.

Clara’s eyes lowered briefly to his hand before returning to his face. Rather than flinching, she remained perfectly still.

"Are you planning to hit me, Dad?" she asked quietly.

The question caused the surrounding murmurs to fade.

Vincent’s expression stiffened.

Clara tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but sharp.

"Is that how you intend to protect the Hayes family’s reputation? By striking your own daughter in front of everyone?"

"Don’t twist my words!" Vincent barked. "You are the one who has embarrassed us!"

"Embarrassed you?" Clara repeated, a faint smile touching her lips. "Or have I simply refused to accept blame for something I didn’t do?"

Julianna’s fingers curled at her sides.

The situation was slipping out of her control again.

Seeing that Clara refused to back down, someone in the crowd finally spoke.

"I think we should hear the girl’s side of the story as well. After all, we don’t have any concrete proof that she’s responsible. What if this is all just a misunderstanding?"

His words caused a ripple of discussion among the guests.

Several people exchanged uncertain glances, while others began to reconsider their earlier assumptions. Without solid evidence, accusing Clara of poisoning Adrian suddenly seemed premature.

Julianna’s expression changed.

The situation was slipping out of her control, and her family now found themselves in an increasingly difficult position.