Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 786

After months of frustration and pouring money into the Thorne family, not to mention the fortune spent on hosting this lavish party, this moment was what I had been waiting for!

"Does she not understand her place, or is she deliberately making Tarquin and us uncomfortable?"

"I think she's here to provoke Daphne on purpose! Honestly, mistresses these days are getting bolder by the minute. The legitimate wife hasn't approached her, yet she's the one making the first move!"

"The one thing wealthy families like ours don't lack is children. Thinking she can elevate her status through an illegitimate child is a miscalculation. The Bradford family certainly doesn't acknowledge that!"

When the conversation shifted to her children, Elysia's temper flared, and she lunged forward, slapping the woman across the face.

"Say one more thing about my children, I dare you!"

The crowd was stunned, and the woman covered her face, sobbing,

"Look at how brazen mistresses are these days! Daring to hit someone in public, oh my goodness..."

"How dare you!"

Gideon, seated in his wheelchair, sneered coldly at Elysia,

"To openly strike a member of the Bradford family at our own event is utterly disrespectful and ill-mannered! Today, in front of all these people, I, on behalf of the Bradford family, declare that even though Tarquin fancies you, we have always sided with righteousness over wickedness! We acknowledge only Daphne, and you will never be welcomed into the Bradford family!"

Tarquin's face turned ashen. Wrapping his arm protectively around Elysia's shoulders, he glared at Gideon,

"Then let me make it clear to everyone here today, from this moment on, I, Tarquin, have nothing to do with the Bradford family! From now on, we go our separate ways, without any further entanglements!"

The crowd was in shock: "!!!!!!"

The Bradfords were collectively swallowing their astonishment!

No one had anticipated that Tarquin would make such a declaration for Elysia!

Despite his known issues with the Bradfords, he had never left, and there were reasons for that.

He was investigating the circumstances surrounding his parents' deaths and couldn't sever ties since Gideon held his mother's ashes, effectively keeping him bound to the family.

Even in the most strained moments, he had never suggested a complete separation from the Bradfords!

"You're even more foolish than your father. At least his woman wasn't a mistress! Look at you, ready to break with your family over a mistress. Aren't you ashamed? Aren't you worried about becoming a laughingstock?"

Elysia hadn't expected Tarquin to sever ties with his family over her.

Staring at Tarquin for a moment, she turned to Allegra with a frown,

"You keep calling me a mistress. What evidence do you have to prove that claim?!"

"Evidence? The legitimate wife is right here, and you still want to argue?"

Elysia turned to face Daphne, her eyes blazing with anger.

Back then, they forced her into this marriage, and now that Daphne knew Tarquin's true status, she wanted to come back and compete for him?

She wanted to see on what grounds Daphne considered herself the legitimate wife.

"So, she's his wife, and what does that make me, huh?"