Iris did expect to meet vicious people here, but not ones who were so blatantly ignorant and cruel.
As she was busy stocking her plate with snacks, two businessmen walked towards the table for snacks as well.
She already had a terrible foreboding with the way one of them looked at her, but she would have been fine if they just kept their mouths shut.
But they just had to talk!
"I heard that Harold Clayton came here today with his daughter. Can you imagine?" The first man scoffed.
"Which one was it? The illegitimate one?"
The first man laughed out loud.
" I would not put it past him to be that stupid, but no, from what i heard, it is his first daughter that came with him."
The second man scoffed.
"Really? That girl?People say he does not show her around because she is pretty plain looking. He dared bring her here? What for?"
The first man laughed heartily.
"It was probably to cash in on the engagement agreement between the two families years ago."
"Such a shameless man, how stupid would he sound for bringing up something that was just a family joke up in front of them. He's going to make an idiot out of himself."
"Also that girl is also probably like her sister, after all, they grew up in the same house, right. They probably got the same training, on how to be harlots from that harlot he brought to be their mother."
Iris felt as if she had just taken a swim in sour lime juice. She wanted to confront them, but she had to watch her public image. She could not cause a scene here.
Unfortunately for her too, they were not some pesky socialites who loved to gossip about things they knew nothing about, they were important businessmen too.
She was not going deny that what they said made some sense, but to call her a harlot and compare her to Ivy? That was too much.
She did not think they recognized her, otherwise they might have stopped talking when they saw her, but who knew? Worse insults might have followed if she actually confronted them.
She really could not believe she would have to bite her tongue at this insult.
'Calm down, dont attack them, calm down, Iris a lot depends on it.'
She chanted it in her head piously, but it was of no use. Everything in the banquet hall was in shades of red.
The devil in her head was so loud, but she was not going to fall for it no matter what.
At that moment, a very beautiful young woman who had been standing at the table walked towards her.
"Oh hello there. You must be Iris Clayton right? I saw you around with your father in the banquet. You are so pretty."
One of the men's face became whit, and he could not look up.
Iris blinked. Was this woman helping her? Or setting her up? Why? And why did she look so familiar?
Confused as she was at the moment, she still had to answer her.
"Why,yes I am, pretty miss. I'm sorry I don't know your name."Iris said quite awkwardly.
The womans lips curled into a beautiful smile.
"My name is Audrey Yates, and I am the wife of Alexander Yates."
Iris was stunned, but she hid it and gave a wide smile.
"I'm so honoured to meet you,Mrs Audrey. "
Audrey's face scrunched up a bit.
"Just call me Audrey. I'm not that old. And feel free around me. I am not some stuck up bufoon who goes around speaking ill of others."
Iris coughed to hide the laugh that threatened to escape her lips.
At that point, the table became very quiet.
Iris was not going to miss this chance for anything.
"I am so happy to meet you then. These days you dont find kind people so often. Everyone you find these days are like salty balding retirees who do not know when not to speak."
Audrey feigned concern.
"That sounds sad, but im happy for them, you know. They dont let their hairlines hold them back. Not everyone is as bold these days."
Iris nearly choked on the food she had put in her mouth to stop laughing.
She sighed, then added pensively.
"But then also, thier mouths are as dirty as a brothel, so they cannot be spared at all. Dont you think?"
Iris snuck a glance at the two men there. They looked like they wanted to leave, but could not do so. One's face in particular looked like a beet. She knew she had to stop, but it was so much fun that she had to add something.
"The more you spend time at a place, the more you become like the people there. It is not entirely their fault. Their surroundings rubbed off on them pretty badly. I dont think we should blame them too much. Lets show some sympathy by discussing happy things, what do you think?"
Audrey grinned.
"I agree with you. But let's leave this table, otherwise who knows? It might rub off on us if we stay too long."
With that, both ladies left the table,giggling to themselves.
"That was a lot of fun. I'm glad i did it." Audrey said mischievously.
"Thank you so much though. I feel great that you came to my aid. This party became ten times better."
Audrey smiled again.
"Glad i could be of help. I ‐
A man in a crisp siut walked to her and spoke into her ears before she could finish talking. Her cheerful countenance changed, and her expression was more serious now. The man left, and she looked at Iris apologetically.
"I am so sorry, Iris. There is something I need to tend to, so I have to leave you here. I hope I see you around, though."
"Dont worry, I should be the one to apologize for taking your time. Hurry on, it might be urgent."
With that, Audrey walked away from her with a polite smile, leaving Iris alone again.