I swept my gaze over the group, then slowly and deliberately corrected them. "I was catching a sturgeon, an endangered species. Its cartilage and spinal marrow contain anti-cancer factors, making it highly valuable for academic research and economic purposes. In fact, every single person here is worth far less than that fish."

The socialites bristled as if I had struck a nerve. They glared at me.

"Hah! Catching an endangered species? You must've been trying to sell it for money to survive. Oh, you poor, pathetic girl."

"Just because you returned to the Sterling family doesn't mean you're a real heiress. A barnyard hen perched on a high branch doesn't get to be called an eagle. You'll never be on the same level as Yelena."

"Exactly! It was Yelena's kindness and generosity that saved a stray like you from the slums. You should be thanking her on your knees right now."

With that, a few of them reached out to press down on my shoulders.

I grabbed two wrists, shifted my weight, and, using a simple redirection technique, sent both of them crashing to their knees before me.

Since they liked kneeling so much, I made sure they did it properly.

Gasps echoed around me as everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Haven't you seen self-defense techniques before?" I asked while shaking my head. "I won't waste my breath arguing with fools. Even though you're shallow and uneducated, I'll still do you the courtesy of a little advice."

I turned to Cindy and said, "You—your tear troughs are dark, your sclera has a yellowish tint, and when I felt your pulse earlier, it was faint and trembling. That's a sign of excessive indulgence. You might want to cut back on your… nightly activities."

"And you—your breath reeks. Have none of your so-called best friends told you?"

…

The group's faces turned beet red. A mix of shame and rage contorted their expressions. They gritted their teeth but couldn't find the words to argue.

Seeing her friends flustered, Yelena quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Mary is from the countryside. She's used to being sharp-tongued. Don't take her words to heart."

She turned to Cindy and said, "Cindy, didn't you always want a Lady Dior? I just got one today and brought it for you. And for you, Jane, your Pandora bracelet—I've got one for you too. Don't worry, there's something for everyone."

Cindy clutched the handbag to her chest, practically trembling with excitement. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

Just as they were about to shower Yelena with praises, their expressions suddenly froze.

They had all heard her thoughts.

"Look at my little lapdogs, falling head over heels for some knockoff goods. Ugh, I went through all this trouble to get them into such a prestigious banquet, and look what they're wearing! What kind of trash is this? Standing next to them is so embarrassing.

"And Cindy—why does that shameless woman have such a handsome boyfriend? I tried seducing him a few times, and he didn't even take the bait. He must be blind or something. Why are they just standing there? Why aren't they flattering me yet? Are they so happy that they lost their minds?"

I nearly laughed out loud.

Meanwhile, Cindy and the others looked positively murderous. It was as if they wanted to strangle Yelena on the spot.

However, they didn't dare challenge her openly, not with the Sterling family's power looming over them.

Just then, the grand golden doors at the front of the banquet hall swung open. A woman with an icy, imposing presence pushed in a man seated in a wheelchair.

I focused my gaze and realized it was him!