The guests looked astonished.
Zuri spoke calmly and unhurriedly, "Today is my birthday, and it's also the day I officially meet all my relatives and friends. This day is extremely important and meaningful to me."
"But they schemed to ruin it. Even though they didn't succeed today, what if they had? How would I cope?"
"If a simple apology can erase everything, does that mean I can use the same tactic against others in the future?"
"There is a saying, 'If a child is not taught properly, it is the fault of the father.' They acted so recklessly and without regard. Are their parents not at fault?"
"I refuse to accept their apologies. If there are apologies to be made, let Mr. Yu, Mr. Ji, and Mr. Shu apologize on behalf of their daughters."
The crowd erupted in astonishment!
It's one thing for the younger generation to apologize, but for elders to apologize to a junior—that's not just losing face, it's the entire family's honor being trampled.
In aristocratic families, face and reputation are paramount.
Zuri's demand was nothing short of shocking.
Azura felt a surge of excitement, finding it incredibly satisfying—this was how life should be lived.
Yu Tianming almost laughed in anger.
A little girl demanding his apology? She wasn't qualified.
Aaron was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. He couldn't believe his daughter dared to make such a demand.
To him, the family's reputation was more important than their daughters' dignity.
"Zuri, let's move on. When we get home, Uncle Yu and the others will surely educate them properly. Nobody is perfect; everyone makes mistakes," Aaron said, smiling magnanimously.
Azura puffed her cheeks in anger.
Adults are so hypocritical!
Your daughter suffered injustice, and yet you pretend to be magnanimous.
Zuri sneered inwardly.
Letting them off? Impossible!
Just when everyone thought Zuri might compromise and let it go, a deep and rich voice echoed through the crowd.
"I think Miss Zuri is right. 'If a child is not taught properly, it is the fault of the father.' Small issues can be laughed off, but today's matter went too far."
Nobody expected Leo to step forward at this moment.
Before the crowd could process this, Carlos emerged from the throng, walked to the stage, and stood beside Zuri. His wise eyes swept over Aaron and the Ji family members.
"In this regard, I fully agree with Miss Lin."
He was here to support Zuri, so how could he let her fight alone?
The Feng and Ye families didn't think highly of the Ji, Yu, and Shu families, nor did they fear offending them.
Families wanting to align with the Ye and Feng families quickly stood up for justice.
"What they did was excessive. A simple apology is too lenient."
"Mr. Shu, you are from a scholarly family. Is this how you handle things?"
"All three of you have prestigious positions. How can you bully a young girl?"
Faced with the crowd's criticism, the expressions of the three families turned as dark as could be.
Zuri glanced at Leo and then at Carlos, feeling a mix of emotions.
When your family doesn't stand up for you, yet outsiders do, it creates a lasting impact.
Actually, without them, she could still make them bow.
But with the support of the Ye and Feng families, she didn't have to lift a finger.
Neither the Ji, Yu, nor Shu families could afford to offend the Feng and Ye families.
With these two families backing Zuri, they had no choice but to bow.
Yu Tianming spoke first, "Samara was in the wrong. Uncle apologizes on her behalf."
With Yu Tianming taking the lead, the other two family heads followed suit and apologized.
Having lost face, the three families prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Hearing this, the three families almost cursed out loud.
What more do you want?
This time it was Leo who spoke.
"I recall that last year, the Ji family acquired a set of Ming dynasty teaware. Is that correct?" Leo asked tactfully.
Well then!
This was a clear demand for the Ji family to offer the Ming dynasty teaware as an apology gift.
"Mr. Ye has a good memory."
Mr. Ji was so angry his heart ached.
He cherished that teaware dearly, but given how things stood, he couldn't refuse.
"No problem. I'll have someone deliver it tomorrow," Mr. Ji said, feigning generosity despite the pain.
Not waiting for Leo to speak, Yu Tianming quickly added, "We have a sapphire necklace at home that would suit Miss Lin very well. I'll send it tonight."
The Shu family chimed in, "We have a Yuan dynasty painting at home that would be perfect for Miss Lin."
Today, the three families lost both face and dignity.
In contrast, the second Miss Lin gained significant fame. Everyone now knew of her close relationship with the Ye and Feng families.
Zuri approached Manuel, lightly patting his cheek, "Wait for me."
Manuel was puzzled, not understanding her intention.
Zuri waved her hand, and the security escorted him away to be handed over to the police.
Today's birthday banquet had been nothing short of thrilling.
It started dull, then exploded with drama, and finally ended with a grand spectacle, giving the guests plenty to talk about for days to come.
Carlos approached Zuri, handing her a business card. "Miss Lin, if you ever need anything, feel free to call me."
"Uncle Li, just call me Zuri," she corrected.
Carlos raised an eyebrow, noticing her subtle expression, sensing something unusual.
There seemed to be a disconnect between her and the Lin family.
Which made sense, given that a non-biological daughter had overshadowed the biological one, indicating the Lin family was quite foolish.
Carlos smoothly changed his address, "Zuri."
"Thank you, Uncle Li and Mr. Ye, for your help today," Zuri said sincerely.
Mr. Ye?!!
Leo raised an eyebrow, "I'm only a few years older than you. You can call me brother."
Azura protested, "No way, that would make me lower in rank. Zuri, you should call him Uncle Leo like I do."
Zuri laughed, "Uncle Leo."
Leo was left speechless.
Maybe it was time to send this niece back to the capital.
Carlos glanced between Leo and Zuri, a playful smile on his lips.
After the banquet, Azura quietly pulled Zuri aside, excitedly whispering, "Zuri, you were amazing today. From now on, who would dare to bully you? Seeing those four with their defeated expressions made me so happy. It was satisfying."
Satisfying?
No, today's humiliation was just the appetizer. The real show was yet to come.
After the banquet, the atmosphere at the Lin household was tense.
"Kneel!" Aaron commanded Saira.
Saira looked to Dalia for help.
"Honey, Saira knows she was wrong. Please forgive her this time," Dalia pleaded softly.
Aaron glared at her, "Don't make me repeat myself."
With a heavy thud, Saira knelt in the middle of the living room.
Aaron took a whip from Arianwen's hand and lashed it across Saira's back.