Chapter 190

Jonathan glanced at Nina, who then saw Whitney's face. Whitney seemed ageless, and Nina was momentarily stunned, her expression like she'd seen a ghost. Her shoulders trembled; she took a step back. Jonathan gently held her shoulder, saying calmly but firmly, "Nina, say hello."

Nina was terrified. She hadn't seen Whitney in years, but this woman haunted her nightmares. That seemingly gentle, smiling face was the nightmare of her entire family. Nina knew she had to confront Whitney. With Jonathan's encouragement, she managed, "Ms. Bennett… it's been a long time."

Whitney studied Nina's face, then smiled faintly. "You're looking more and more like your mother. That pathetically delicate, fake aura of a mistress—you've picked it up from her."

Whitney's disrespect shocked those present, but knowing her background, they remained silent. The live room exploded with comments:

[Who is this old woman and what gives her the right to say such things about Nina?] [She looks classy, but anyone who dares to slander my beloved Nina is my lifelong enemy!] [Can anyone find this woman’s social media account? I want to roast her!] [Found it! Turns out she’s on the Billionaire List. Whitney, 47 years old, the eldest daughter of the Bennett family, worth over a billion, Mr. Bennett’s sister, and a leading candidate to inherit the family.]

The comments shifted dramatically:

[47 years old? You’d never guess! Her skin is as smooth as that of a youth, just like mine. Look, a pic of my six-pack.] [Let’s not get carried away with the compliments, shall we? We are off the topic.] [Meeting the person I want to protect most when I’m in my prime.] [Oh dear, it’s rare to see such a foreign beauty.] [She is so elegant that I’m falling for her!] [Oh, My lady, do you know why I cannot express my feelings? Cause you have stolen all my words away!] [Why am I not her son?] [Hey, you guys are just looking for a quick ticket to the good life without all the hustle, right?]

Nina's face flushed. Fear choked her; she was exhausted. Jonathan interjected, "Whitney, children shouldn't pay for their parents' mistakes. Nina has been the rightful heir to the Sullivan family since birth, the pride of Gunther." He was using Gunther's name to pressure Whitney. Nina smiled gratefully.

Whitney laughed coldly. She'd never taken Nina seriously, but now something more intriguing occupied her attention. She turned, saying, "Everyone must be hungry. Let's head to the villa." The butler approached, respectfully announcing, "Ms. Bennett, dinner is served."

[Wow, this island is actually owned by Whitney.] [I’m still paying off a 30-year mortgage on my 800-square-foot apartment, while the rich just buy islands like they’re nothing.] [After watching this show, I can’t tell if I’m any better than a rat in a sewer.]

Everyone gathered in the villa's dining room. A massive round table, adorned with a white gemstone centerpiece, held an array of delectable dishes. Attractive waiters stood behind each chair.

Cynthia, unnerved by the island's unsettling atmosphere, could barely look at the waiters, remembering the speechless young men from the bar. The butler elegantly described the dishes: organic island vegetables, freshly caught seafood, and freshly flown-in top-grade beef. The extravagance was overwhelming, yet everyone seemed lost in thought.

Jessie and Ethan, top actors from a Betrico Multimedia subsidiary, were initially reserved, having never met their legendary, supposedly abroad, boss. But the delicious food captivated Jessie.

Nina remained reserved, sitting near Jonathan, far from Whitney. Terror gripped her, but Jonathan offered comfort. Cynthia sat next to Whitney, her cool exterior masking caution; she suspected a trap. She felt anxious but resolved to adapt.

Shane arrived, showering Whitney with flattery before sitting. Alex and Preston were missing. Whitney asked, "Mr. Lowe, where's Alex?"

Shane, suspecting a connection between Alex and Whitney, glanced at the impassive Jonathan before lying, "Alex wasn't feeling well. We sent him home yesterday."

Whitney replied indifferently, "Oh? Really?"

Cynthia worried. She knew Alex was Whitney's secret lover. Could Alex's disappearance be the reason for Whitney's visit? She anxiously watched the unfolding sibling rivalry.

Jonathan asked, "Why are you suddenly interested in a minor celebrity?"

Whitney calmly replied, "He's my old friend's student."

Jessie, eager to eat, noticed that everyone hadn't arrived and Whitney hadn't started. She asked, "Where's Preston?"

Cynthia replied, "He had a fall horseback riding and is changing clothes."

Preston casually entered, sat beside Whitney, and asked, "Why haven't you started eating?"

Maya, amused, had been prevented from sitting near Whitney earlier by the butler. Whitney simply said, "Everyone's here. Let's begin."

Abby, planning to humiliate Preston for making her eat snake, sarcastically commented on Whitney seemingly waiting for him. But then Whitney used her personal fork to serve Preston a slice of beef, concernedly asking, "You've lost weight! Haven't you been eating well?"

Everyone was speechless.