Evangeline and Dexter, both trained in combat arts, possessed excellent hearing. Even from a distance, they could hear the nearby conversations. However, they didn't react, paying no attention to the idle chatter. It wasn't worth their concern.

As long as the people weren't spreading malicious rumors or taking action against them, Evangeline and Dexter wouldn't retaliate for a few negative remarks.

"Evangeline is way too arrogant. She's adopted, but she acts like she's some high-and-mighty young lady of the Johnson family. Who among us doesn't have a more noble background than hers? It's one thing for Dexter to ignore us, but what gives him the right to be so dismissive?"

"We said we admired her, and she thinks too highly of herself."

"It seems like the Johnson family doesn't value her; otherwise, they wouldn't have let her return to the Gallagher family or allowed her to enter the entertainment industry. She really doesn't know her place. She's so arrogant, not even considering how she'll manage without the Johnson family's support."

"What kind of decent girl would go on a variety show with a bunch of men anyway? The live broadcast was cut off a few times during the show. Who knows what really happened?"

Dexter stopped and turned to look at the group. Evangeline stopped as well. She grabbed his wrist and whispered, "Tonight is Mr. Rouse's 90th birthday. Don't cause any trouble. Let's deal with them after the banquet."

Dexter withdrew his gaze and smiled. "What trouble could I cause? I was just looking around."

Evangeline took his hand and led him to a resting area.

"I want some mango juice. Could you get me a glass, Eva?" asked Dexter.

"Sure, you sit here, and I'll go get it for you," replied Evangeline.

After Evangeline left, Dexter took out his phone and texted Wesley: "[Alvin Levy, Marcus Simmons, Julian Knowle, Eric Carr, Brian Guerrero, Nancy Peterson. Expose their families' scandals. If there's anything illegal, send it directly to the police.]"

After sending the message, he calmly put his phone away. If they liked gossiping so much, they would soon be the subject of some themselves.

Evangeline quickly returned with mango juice and a plate of fruit. The two sat, eating and waiting for the banquet, without mentioning the earlier incident.

In less than half an hour, the gossipers began receiving phone calls. Their expressions changed dramatically, and before the banquet began, they hurriedly left. Many people noticed this and were puzzled. They had come on behalf of their families. Why leave before it started? With the Rouse family's significant status in Lyrendia, offending them was a serious concern.

Suddenly, someone shared news from their phone, and it spread like wildfire. Whispers turned into open discussion.

"Alvin's sex video with his stepmother was sent to his father. Now his dad is chasing her with a knife"

"Marcus had affairs with his three aunts, and now all three of his uncles have gone to his house and beaten his parents"

"Julian forced an underage boy and even recorded a video to blackmail him"

"Eric embezzled public funds and has been reported to the police"

"Brian has driven under the influence more than thirty times in five years, fled the scene over ten times, and it's all been exposed. He's already been reported to the authorities"

"Nancy isn't even the biological child of the Peterson family. To protect her position, she found her parents' real daughter and sold her overseas. Now, no one knows how the real daughter is doing"

While wealthy families often had secrets, the simultaneous exposure of so many shocked everyone. People began to remember that these individuals had spoken poorly of Dexter and Evangeline earlier.

While there was no direct evidence linking Dexter to the exposure, the timing was suspicious. They had just gossiped about Dexter and Evangeline, and soon after, all of them were hit with scandals. This inevitably led to speculation.

Everyone looked at Dexter with complicated expressions. The Johnson family's influence was truly extraordinary—they even managed to dig up such well-hidden family secrets. Now, people wondered if the Johnson family had similar information about their families. A chill ran down their spines. They looked at Dexter with a mix of awe and fear. It seemed likely that no one would dare speak ill of him and Evangeline again.

This little incident didn't disrupt the banquet significantly. Soon, the Rouse family arrived. William, supported by two younger relatives, stepped onto the stage.

Evangeline recognized the young man on William's left—his grandson, Mark Rouse. William was ninety, and his grandson was in his twenties, a significant age gap. It was said that William had married and had children early, having his first child before twenty. But when he was forty, his family was targeted by enemies, and his wife and children were killed. He remarried and had children later. Then, his son and daughter-in-law died in an accident, leaving only his grandson, Mark.

Evangeline's gaze shifted to the man on William's right, a hint of confusion in her eyes. She thought, Arthur What is he doing here? And why is he on stage with William? Evangeline wasn't the only one curious about Arthur. He didn't carry himself like a bodyguard or attendant; so what was his connection to the Rouse family?

Someone handed William a microphone. His voice, old but steady, said, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. If there's anything we haven't done well, please forgive us. On this happy occasion, I have one more thing to announce" William grasped Arthur's hand, his aged face filled with emotion and pride. He declared forcefully, "The man beside me is my eldest grandson, missing for twenty years. I've finally found him and brought him home! His original name was Arthur Rouse, but he later changed it to Arthur Ferdinand. I'm sure many of you have heard of him. Regardless of what name he goes by, he is and always will be a member of the Rouse family!"

The Rouse family had found Arthur some time ago, but he had been reluctant to return.

The crowd was stunned.

"Arthur Ferdinand? The new richest man in Hofcaster, the self-made legend? I've heard of him. My company even works with his Ferdinand Group, but I've only ever dealt with his assistant. I can't believe he's the eldest son of the Rouse family."

"No wonder he was able to expand the Ferdinand Group to such a large scale in such a short time. It turns out that he is a Rouse. With the Rouse family's support, it all makes sense now"