The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)

Chapter 7

A row of imposing bodyguards surrounded us, and my father stepped forward, his presence commanding.

Mr. White turned pale, stammering, "M-Mr. Smith... I didn't realize she was..."

My father's assistant stepped up, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Jason White!"

Hearing his name barked out, Mr. White nearly collapsed in fright.

"Take a good look at who the star of the evening is. Don't tell me you're still confused?"

Mr. White's gaze shifted back to me, his face contorting with disbelief. He stumbled over his words, finally understanding.

"Mia..? She's from the Smith family... Mr. Smith, I'm so sorry! I didn't recognize her!"

In a panic, he began slapping himself across the face. Then, as if realizing it wasn't enough, he turned to Alice and delivered two hard slaps to her cheeks.

Alice wailed. "Why are you hitting me? For her? What's so special about her?"

"You ungrateful fool!" Mr. White roared, his voice shaking with rage. "Do you even know what kind of trouble you've caused?"

Alice's shrill cries filled the room, her usual composure completely shattered. "I don't know! You've never hit me before!"

The louder she screamed, the harder his hand struck her. "You're a disgrace! Today, you're no longer my daughter!"

The chaos felt endless, but I decided it was time to put an end to the farce.

Stepping forward, I gently tugged on my father's arm. "Dad, let's go inside. I don't want to see them anymore."

The room fell into stunned silence as the word "Dad" left my lips.

Ethan staggered back, visibly shaken, his composure crumbling.

My father's expression softened as he held my hand. "Alright, sweetheart. Let's go."

His assistant stepped forward to address the crowd. "Clear this area immediately. None of you are allowed inside the hotel." He paused, glancing at my father before continuing, "All investments in Ethan's company are to be withdrawn. And every single one of you is now permanently blacklisted from the Smith Family Group."

My father nodded in satisfaction, finally turning away.

Mr. White collapsed to his knees, his voice desperate and pleading.

"Mr. Smith, please! It's all my daughter's fault. I've always been loyal to you and supported Ethan!"

The assistant sneered. "Don't tell me you still don't know who Ethan really is?"

Mr. White cast a suspicious glance at Ethan.

Then, turning his head, he looked at Mr. Smith again and asked hesitantly:

"Could it be. that he isn't Mr. Smith's illegitimate child? Isn't he the one connected to Mr. Smith?"

This maintains clarity and natural flow while preserving the original meaning.