Isabella continued mocking him with every foul phrase she could think of, and Adrian beside her nodded along, adding fuel to the fire.
"Exactly. After leaving Isabella's house, you had nowhere to go, nothing to eat, so you tried to come crawling back to leech off her, right?"
"I've seen plenty of lowly, worthless men like you."
"Acting all noble, what a joke… disgusting."
Adrian muttered mockingly, but Alexander, already losing patience, cut him off.
"And what if I say no?"
From above, Alexander looked down at Isabella and Adrian, narrowing his eyes slightly, his voice laced with danger.
"On the contrary, it should be the two of you. If you kneel and apologize, I will consider letting this go."
The three of them had already become the center of attention, and Alexander only wanted to end this farce quickly.
Yet the moment he spoke, Isabella reacted as if she had just heard the funniest joke.
She even let out a cold laugh.
"Me, kneel and apologize to you?"
"Have you not woken up yet?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Up until now, Alexander had always been the submissive type. Whatever Isabella said, he did.
He never dared to talk back, not even half a word. But now, he was acting arrogant, even giving her orders like this, making Isabella feel humiliated and disgraced.
Isabella curled her lips and flicked her hand forward. She didn't forget to let out a cold, warning laugh.
"You're the one who made me lose my patience first, so don't blame me!"
She screamed.
"Guards, guards!"
"There's some poor, filthy man sneaking in here causing trouble, what kind of security are you people running?"
"Are you so stupid that you can't even tell who's a guest and who's a pathetic beggar sneaking into the party?"
Isabella pointed straight at Alexander, raising her voice even higher.
"He's just some impoverished labourer, a mere dockworker. What if he steals something or offends, provokes one of the big CEOs here? Can you take responsibility for that?"
"Drag him out, now!"
Isabella jabbed her finger as she commanded, her chin lifted in smug triumph. She even looked at Alexander with a self-satisfied expression and silently mouthed the words, "You're finished."
Alexander didn't flinch at all. He merely cast Isabella a faint, mocking smile. He had intended to wait for the guards to arrive so they could inform Isabella of who he truly was.
However, halfway through, a stern voice rang out.
"Who dares to drag my grandson out of this party?"
Along with that voice, William approached slowly, immediately capturing everyone's attention. He furrowed his brows and stared straight into Isabella's eyes as he questioned her, his cold aura making her involuntarily tremble.
But Isabella still forced herself to straighten her back, letting out a cold laugh as she looked at William with mockery.
"Your grandson? Old man, who the hell are you to talk big here like that?"
"And besides, Alexander is your grandson? Mistaken identity, perhaps?"
Isabella scoffed, lazily glancing at the rhinestone-studded nails on her hand.
"He's just a kid who grew up in an orphanage and ended up doing heavy lifting for a living!"
"You say you're his grandfather, what does that make you? An old labourer?"
Isabella covered her mouth and laughed derisively.
"Oh, but you're already old. Who would even hire you anymore…"
While Isabella was speaking, she was suddenly silenced when Adrian hurriedly covered her mouth. His scalp tightened as he pulled Isabella toward him, his face pale, lips trembling as he looked toward William. He was about to explain when Isabella bit down hard on his hand.
"Ah…"
The pain was so sharp that Adrian squeezed his eyes shut and instinctively let go. Isabella broke free from Adrian's grip and stomped her foot in anger.
"Why did you cover my mouth? Are you crazy?"
"I wasn't finished talking!"
Isabella shrieked arrogantly, then lifted her chin toward William, who was still standing calmly on the opposite side.
"I don't know where these two paupers came from, daring to sneak into the Knight family's mansion."
"Just wait, the guards will be here any moment to kick both of you out…"
Isabella boasted smugly, but before she could finish, Adrian covered her mouth again.
This time, Adrian was faster, pressing her mouth shut tightly, allowing her to make only muffled, incoherent sounds.
"I'm sorry, Mr Knight. My fiancée was only joking."
"She didn't know your status, that's why she spoke like that…"
Adrian hurriedly explained, forcing a conciliatory smile. Isabella, who had been thrashing about in a frenzy, nearly losing her mind with rage and ready to curse at anyone, immediately fell silent at his words.
The face that had been flushed red with fury turned deathly pale, her movements freezing in place.
"Just kidding? You humiliated my grandson like that and call it a joke?"
William let out a cold laugh.
"I have no idea how the two of you slipped into this party. But this party does not welcome either of you."
"Guards!"
William issued the order icily.
At once, the security guards rushed over, bowing their heads as they awaited William's command.
"Remove these two troublemakers from the party. And from now on, do not let them return."
William spoke coldly, and the guards swiftly carried out the order. Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief, while Adrian continued to struggle, desperately trying to explain, their chaotic shouting echoing through the grand hall.
But only a few seconds later, the noise vanished, and the space returned to silence.
"I'm sorry you all had to witness such a scene. They're nothing more than insignificant troublemakers."
"But I'll say this now, anyone who insults my grandson in the future will face the same consequences as they did. In fact, it will be far more brutal."
Worried that Isabella and Adrian's earlier insults might tarnish Alexander's reputation, William delivered the warning promptly. Everyone merely chuckled lightly, saying they understood, and a few people even spoke up to comfort Alexander after he had suddenly been harshly scolded by Isabella.
The brief commotion faded away.
The party began.
Under the dazzling lights of the grand hall, William calmly stepped forward, his smile gentle.
"Today, I'm hosting this party to welcome back my long-lost grandson - Alexander Knight."
"He will also be the new CEO of Starluxe Entertainment, the outstanding heir of the Knight family…"
As William's composed voice echoed through the room, the sound of camera shutters rang continuously. The hall stirred with whispers as William turned toward Alexander, signaling for him to step up.
Just as he had practiced many times before, Alexander straightened his back, his posture impeccable, and walked forward in steady, unhurried steps until he reached William's side. Then, he bowed slightly, calm, poised, and commanding.
"This is my grandson - Alexander Knight…"
William introduced him with delight, his eyes filled with pride as he looked at Alexander.
Just when he was about to continue, the hall buzzed again as someone entered.
"How could a joyous day like this possibly go on without me?"
"Welcome back, my dear older brother, Alexander. I've brought a little gift for you as well."
A man with striking platinum-blonde hair stepped forward, his eyes glinting with mockery as he spoke. His figure was tall and straight, his gait noble and refined.
Yet his entire presence radiated arrogance and a sinister edge. When he glanced at Alexander, his charming eyes sparkled with a teasing smile.
Seeing that the newcomer was Ryder Knight, William's expression subtly cooled.