Chapter 3

Everyone on my team also said they would support me.

Ava didn’t know that the reason the Whitmore family had been able to stand firm in the industry wasn’t their so-called old-money status.

It was me, Claire Whitmore.

Still, I had to attend her family reunion banquet.

The Whitmore family spared no expense and held it at Stonebrook Manor.

Every important figure in the city attended, and so did I.

When I arrived, several wealthy young women who had once been friendly with me looked at me with mocking smiles.

“Claire? You still had the nerve to come! You’ve been thrown out, yet you’re still putting on airs. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Exactly. Look at how extravagant this banquet is. She’s obviously the biological daughter. And you? You worked for them all these years and ended up with nothing!”

“Why don’t you beg me? Maybe I could give you a job. My company happens to need a receptionist. Your face is decent enough. You can stand at the front desk. How does eight thousand a month sound?”

I looked them over and said disdainfully,

“No wonder your family would rather raise an illegitimate child from outside than let you inherit the company.”

The moment I finished speaking, they flew into a rage and moved toward me.

Ava appeared, forcing them to back down.

“Everyone, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the Whitmore family’s reunion banquet. We’ve finally found our younger daughter, Ava, who was separated from us many years ago. From now on, we’ll do everything we can to make it up to her!”

Ava slowly walked onto the stage in an evening gown.

After being dressed and made up, she looked visibly more noble.

Her deliberately styled appearance, however, made her head look slightly too large for her body.

When our eyes met, Ava lifted her chin proudly.

“Although Claire isn’t the Whitmore family’s biological daughter, she has worked at the company for many years, so I’m willing to let her continue working there.”

“Claire, stop being angry with Mom and Dad!”

The moment Ava said this, everyone around us looked at me with amusement and contempt.

I curled my lips.

“No need. I don’t lack money.”

“Claire really doesn’t lack money. Unlike me, who suffered terribly while living away from home. But I never gave up on my education.”

“Claire, if possible, I hope you’ll stay at the company. You can work for me.”

My parents also came over.

“Claire, I won’t hold your moving out against you. But your sister is right. The Whitmore family has supported you for so many years. It’s time for you to repay us.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“For ten years, I took the Whitmore family from an ordinary family business to an elite household. Don’t you think I’ve repaid you enough?”

“Work for you? I, Claire Whitmore, only work for myself. No boss can control me, so don’t expect me to sacrifice myself for him. You’re the one who taught me that, Mr. Whitmore!”

His face turned livid with anger.

The Whitmore relatives began piling on.

“Look at how arrogant she is. She still thinks she’s the Whitmore heiress!”

“What would she be without the Whitmore family? How dare she talk like that!”

“Brother, I think you’re being too softhearted. Throw her out while you can! She’s occupied Ava’s place for so many years and still doesn’t know how to be grateful!”

Ava looked down at me with undisguised triumph.

I smiled.

Did this idiot really think these people were genuinely on her side?

I let out a mocking laugh.

“You don’t need to throw me out. I’ll leave on my own. But remember this: the moment I walk out that door today, I’ll have nothing to do with the Whitmore family ever again.”

“Claire!”

My father was furious, but in the end, he let out a sigh.

“Don’t blame us for being heartless. You really need to control your temper.”

“Fine. Then announce it publicly right now. Acknowledge that Ava is the person in charge of the Whitmore family.”

“I quit.”

With that, I turned around and left.

Before anyone could react, I sent out a public statement declaring that I no longer had anything to do with Whitmore Group.

After I left, Ava stomped her foot.

“Dad, Claire is being so petty! She…”

Before she could finish, Richard Whitmore’s phone rang.

It wasn’t just his.

The phones of the other Whitmore family members began ringing one after another.

“What? MC only recognizes Claire? The contract is void!”