With Vincent standing beside her, Brenna felt steady. "That's right, Noreen. You said you receive two hundred thousand monthly as pocket money. You wouldn't bat an eye transferring eight hundred thousand to me."

Since Brenna returned home, Noreen had never missed a chance to show off how favored she was, whether directly or indirectly. Since Noreen enjoyed boasting about it, Brenna decided to let her prove it.

Shock registered on every face in the room. No one missed what Vincent's stance meant. He had just made it clear that Brenna was under his protection.

"I... I really don't have that much money," Noreen said as tears streamed down her face. Her allowance was only fifty thousand a month, and she spent it without restraint. Every credit card she owned had already hit its limit. Even coming up with eight thousand would've been difficult for her.

Lowering her voice, Sarah spoke through clenched teeth. "Brenna, don't think you can demand anything you want just because the Todd family is backing you."

Sarah couldn't accept it. It was one thing for Brenna to know Hayley, but how could someone so unattractive catch Vincent's eye?

Sarah hissed, "Brenna, just tell Mr. Todd you don't need the eight hundred thousand. At most, we'll treat you to a meal later." As she spoke, she sent a message to Jeremy Walsh, urging him to come immediately. As Brenna's older brother, he could restrain her.

Brenna's eyes lacked their former warmth. "Mom, I don't want to dine with you again."

A faint, sarcastic smile appeared on her lips. She had once given this family her whole heart, and they crushed it without hesitation. If the lovely couple who had raised her for years were still around, they would've been heartbroken for her.

"You!" Anger tightened Sarah's chest. At that moment, she was convinced Brenna was exactly what that mysterious person had described—an ungrateful wretch.

Rage burned in Sam's chest, yet with Vincent standing there, he didn't dare explode. "Noreen doesn't get that much pocket money each month," he said stiffly. "Asking for eight hundred thousand is too much."

A strained smile spread across his face as he tried to ease the tension. "We're family, and talking about money can strain our relationship. Brenna, if Noreen made a mistake, I can have her apologize to you."

Attempting to diffuse the situation, Sarah moved closer, trying to grab Brenna's hand. "That's right, Brenna. We're family. Let's not fuss over these things..."

Brenna stepped back and sidestepped Sarah's extended hand. "This isn't for me to decide," she said evenly. "It was Mr. Todd who suggested you compensate me. If you insist on using family ties to settle it, people might say you're taking advantage of him."

Brenna couldn't forget that since her childhood, Sarah had avoided touching her as if she were something unpleasant. She never understood why Jeremy received praise and Noreen received affection, while she received nothing.

Frustration flared in Sarah's eyes. "That's not what I meant..."

Felix, observing the scene, was taken aback. Leaning toward Vincent, he murmured, "Brenna is nothing like the rumors. Wasn't it said she dropped out of high school and was utterly dumb? Yet, she seems quite sharp."

What struck him most was how she used the Todd family's influence as a shield to stand her ground.

Vincent studied Brenna with a thoughtful look. The hopeless fool people described clearly didn't match the woman in front of him.

The direction of the exchange unsettled Sam, and he immediately directed his anger toward Sarah. That's enough. With Mr. Todd and everyone else watching, just transfer the eight hundred thousand and end this."

Sarah felt as if her chest might burst. Eight hundred thousand was no small sum. Over the years, every spare cent had gone into shaping Noreen into a polished young lady. Piano lessons, dance training, tuition at elite schools. None of it came cheap.

A trace of ridicule surfaced in Brenna's eyes as she spoke again. "Mom, you always say money isn't everything and that life matters more. You locked me in the warehouse and let the fire burn years back. Did a few hundred thousand make up for that?"

Since returning to the Walsh family last month, Brenna had faced nothing but pressure and humiliation. While enduring it, she quietly reopened the investigation into her disappearance years ago. Bit by bit, new evidence surfaced, and it pointed straight at Sarah as the one who shut her inside that burning warehouse.

Color drained from Sarah's face as if lightning had struck her. "What ridiculous lies are you making up?"

Disbelief overwhelmed Sarah. Brenna had only been three at the time. A child that young shouldn't remember anything.

Brenna's words unsettled everyone present. Could a mother truly try to burn her own daughter alive?

Cold resolve settled into Vincent's expression. "Felix, look into it," he instructed.

Without hesitation, Felix stepped aside and began making calls.

Panic gripped Sarah when she noticed Sam's uncertainty. "Honey, don't listen to her nonsense!" she cried out. "I gave birth to her. Why would I ever hurt my own child? She must've picked up those twisted ideas from the couple in that backwater town!"

Those buried memories clawed their way back to the surface, and being forced to face them filled Sarah with anger and panic.

Fury overtook Sarah as she glared at Brenna. "Do you even still see me as your mother?" Her hand flew up, aiming for Brenna's face.

Before the strike could land, Brenna caught her wrist with steady strength. Her gaze sharpened. "The couple you mentioned taught me integrity, not hypocrisy like yours."

Brenna could endure rejection directed at herself, but she wouldn't stand by while anyone insulted the people who had raised her.

A crisp sound rang out in the tense silence.

Before Sarah could even register what happened, Brenna had already moved. A sharp twist later, pain shot through Sarah's wrist so violently that she gasped.

"Ow! My wrist! It hurts!" Sarah cried out. The words barely left her mouth before her footing gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor, all grace and poise gone in an instant.

Silence swallowed the room. Wasn't Brenna supposed to be the plain, submissive girl everyone dismissed? Yet, the move she made had been clean and merciless.

From the sidelines, only Vincent seemed entertained. A faint curve touched his lips. When Brenna made her move, her amber eyes burned bright, like color breaking through a dull world.

"Well, that's new," he whispered to himself. Marriage had never interested him before. The idea of tying himself to someone easy to control had always bored him. But now he realized Brenna wasn't some harmless doll. She was hiding claws.

Sam stood frozen. Brenna had always hovered around them, eager to please and desperate for approval. The girl in front of him felt like a stranger.

"Sweetheart, get up," Sam said to Sarah quickly.

Rage flushed Sarah's face as disbelief took over. "Brenna actually hit me? Her own mother?"

Noreen was also dumbfounded. When the shock faded, her eyes turned red, and she stepped forward with trembling steps. "Brenna, I'm sure you didn't mean to do that. People always say you used to get into fights in that remote, backward place and that you dropped out of school, that you've always had a temper. Just apologize to Mom, alright?"

Brenna simply responded with a nonchalant smirk, "You mean a violent streak? That was nothing. If you're curious, I can give you a better demonstration."

The next second, her arm came up and struck Noreen without hesitation.

The slap landed with full force, and Noreen stumbled before crashing onto the floor. Redness bloomed across her cheek almost instantly.

Moments ago, the guests had been watching with interest. Now, not one of them dared to speak, worried they might be dragged into the mess.

Noreen had planned to embarrass Brenna in front of everyone. She never imagined she would be the one humiliated instead. Anger twisted her features, and she dropped the pleasant act she had been putting on. "Brenna, how could you lay a hand on me?" she screamed.

Calmly, Brenna pulled out a tissue and wiped her palm as if she had touched something dirty. "Can't I discipline a sister who's out of line?"

Her gaze swept across the silent onlookers. "You're all here to witness the engagement, so you should understand something. As the future lady of the Todd family, I speak for them. If I hear anyone spreading nonsense, I won't show mercy."

A chill ran through the room. After all, this was the Todd family's ground. If their future daughter-in-law, Brenna, were insulted here, would they really ignore it? The so-called timid and useless Brenna had just overturned every rumor about her.

"You..." Noreen's face burned red with fury.

Panic pushed Noreen to scan the entrance, and at last, she caught sight of Jeremy stepping inside. "Jeremy, you're finally here!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.

As the oldest son, Jeremy had been trained in taekwondo since he was a child. The moment he saw Sarah and Noreen hurt, rage surged through him. "It's fine. I've got this," he said as he moved in front of them. He hadn't planned on attending his ugly sister's engagement party. Never did he expect the day to explode into chaos.

Without hesitation, Jeremy swung his fist toward Brenna. "I'm your brother. I have every right to teach you a lesson!"

Through blurred, teary eyes, Noreen watched with hope rising in her chest. A single punch from Jeremy could leave an average person bedridden for weeks.

But before the blow could land, a red-haired man stepped in and caught Jeremy's wrist midair.

"Tsk. Miss Fuller is Vincent's fiancée now. What makes you think you can start something here?" Felix said as he twisted Jeremy's arm. A sharp crack echoed.

Pain tore out of Jeremy's throat. "My wrist! It's broken!"

The damage was instant. His wrist bent at an unnatural angle.

Once again, the entire hall went quiet.

Even Sam held his breath. Everyone knew Vincent's reputation. Crossing him was never wise.

"I appreciate it," Brenna said, a hint of surprise in her voice. She could have dealt with it herself, yet Vincent had already sent his man to handle it.

"No need to thank me," Vincent said lightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You're more than capable on your own."

Depth filled his gaze, and the authority in it made people lower their heads without thinking. He then swept a cold look across the room. "If anyone else feels like stirring up trouble at this party, Brenna won't have to lift a finger. The Todd family will take care of it."

Hearing that, Brenna looked at him and found him unexpectedly reliable for backing her up in public. With a teasing tilt of her lips, she said, "It's fine. If my hands get dirty, I can just wash them. But if someone's heart is rotten, maybe it should be cut out instead."

A dangerous smile curved on Vincent's face. "True. Better to smash that rotten heart completely."

Jeremy held his injured wrist, and fear crept into his chest. Sweat slid down his back as disbelief filled his mind. Were these two out of their minds?

Gradually, Vincent's expression cooled. "My patience isn't endless. You've got sixty seconds to transfer the eight hundred thousand to my fiancée." His voice stayed even, yet a sharp edge hid beneath the calm. "If the money doesn't arrive in time, I'll come and settle the debt myself."

Brenna pursed her lips. The engagement party had already spiraled into chaos, and they had not even gone through the ceremony, yet Vincent called her his "fiancée" as if it had always been that way.

Color drained from Sarah's face. Damn it. This was bad. Once Vincent stepped in, it would not stop at eight hundred thousand. Rumor had it he once broke someone's legs over an unpaid debt.

"Mom, what are we supposed to do?" Noreen said as fear tightened in her chest and she turned to Sarah. Vincent had openly backed Brenna, and Jeremy was already hurt, which made panic slip into her voice. "I can't get my hands on eight hundred thousand... I really can't."

Sarah clenched her jaw so hard that it ached. She knew Sam too well. With how selfish and tightfisted he was, there was no way he would willingly hand over that kind of money.

"I'll take care of it," Sarah said as a stiff smile settled on her face and she forced herself to stay composed. She swallowed the humiliation. "Brenna, consider this eight hundred thousand your engagement gift. I hope your future turns out well."

After saying that, she clenched her fists and transferred the money from the savings she had secretly set aside for her retirement. Each digit felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

A sharp chime echoed from Brenna's phone, confirming the money had gone through.

Brenna lifted the screen slightly, the corner of her mouth curving up. "Got it. Thanks, Mom, for the late engagement gift and the kind wishes."

For a brief moment, Sarah felt dizzy. Today, she had been disgraced in front of everyone, and even Sam had begun looking at her with suspicion. To her, Brenna brought nothing but misfortune.

Without sparing Sarah and the others another glance, Vincent shifted his attention fully to Brenna.

"Although this engagement was arranged in a hurry, none of the proper rituals will be skipped. My mother is currently in the hospital, and my father is staying with her, so my grandfather will officiate today." Vincent spoke in an even tone. "Come with me to the main hall and wait."

Brenna answered with ease, "That's fine. There are already plenty of guests here."

"Since you've agreed to marry into the Todd family, we'll make sure you're treated fairly. You will receive everything you deserve," Vincent said as he held her gaze.

He noticed that when Brenna's emotions fluctuated, the colors around her seemed particularly vivid. Her amber eyes stood out the most, bright and alluring, yet carrying a quiet danger.

Standing off to the side, Felix twitched his lips. Just a month ago, Vincent had been determined to cancel the engagement. But now, he looked like a man afraid his bride might bolt at any second. The contrast was almost amusing.

Without much interest, Brenna gave a small nod. "Fine. Whatever works."

She had assumed a replacement bride would be treated as an afterthought. Instead, the head of the Todd family, Phillip Todd, appeared in person not long after, leaning on a cane but clearly in high spirits.

Fixing his sharp gaze on her, Phillip asked, "You're Brenna Walsh?"

Though Phillip carried himself with strength, his eyes softened when he noticed the burn scars on her face. The sight stirred sympathy in his chest. A child who had gotten lost in a blazing mall at three years old and survived against the odds, only to be disdained by her own family after reconnection. The thought alone was hard to accept.

Meeting his eyes calmly, Brenna answered, "Yes, that's me."

"Good child," Phillip said in a gentle tone. "I just need to hear one thing from you. Do you truly want to marry Vincent?"

To Phillip, Vincent was hot-tempered and indifferent toward women. His agreement to this arranged marriage had already surprised him.

Lifting her chin slightly, Brenna responded without pause, "I'm willing, as long as the Todd family doesn't object."

Tears shimmered in Phillip's eyes. "Object? Why would we? You may look fragile, but if anyone dares to bully you, the Todd family will stand behind you."

Sarah and Jeremy, who had just been hit by Brenna, couldn't help but snort with fury. convinced that Phillip had been completely misled by Brenna, who was clearly anything but delicate when she fought.

With a casual lift of his hand, Phillip gave the order. "Bring everything in."

The butler bowed and carried out the instruction. One by one, large gift boxes were brought into the banquet hall. When the lids were opened, the display inside drew gasps.

Noreen stood rooted to the spot, unable to react.

The gifts consisted of designer gowns, rare handbags from limited collections, sparkling jewelry, and even the keys to luxury cars laid out neatly.

Greed flashed across Sam's eyes, and his smile stretched wide. "The Todd family really doesn't hold back."

"These are just small gifts for you to enjoy, Brenna," Phillip said with a hearty laugh as he turned to Brenna. He then looked at Vincent with raised brows. "What about you? Where's the engagement gift you prepared for today?"

Off to the side, Felix had to stifle a laugh. Was this about to turn awkward? Vincent hadn't prepared for the engagement at all.

Right when Felix was ready to enjoy what he thought would be Vincent's embarrassment, Vincent calmly produced a black credit card, which a servant then presented to Brenna with visible respect.

Vincent's voice rang clear through the hall. "My engagement gift. Nine hundred million."

Felix froze. When did Vincent become this generous?

The entire room was stunned. Nine hundred million? Phillip's gifts were already worth tens of millions, yet Vincent's offering surpassed even that. It wasn't just generous. It was overwhelming.

Shock drained the color from Noreen's face as she stared at the scene before her. "How... How is this possible?" she whispered.

Disbelief churned inside Noreen, tightening painfully in her chest. Originally, these jewels and the black card holding nine hundred million should've been hers, yet Brenna stood there claiming every bit of it. Only then did regret sink in, bitter and impossible to ignore.