"Violet!" Tom Aiken scolded his younger daughter with a stern face.

This is Valence Group, not their Aiken Group, where she can throw a tantrum as she pleases.

"Dad." Violet tried to act spoiled, but Tom Aiken had no patience for her antics now.

The secretary kept a smile and said to Violet, "Miss Aiken, I'm sorry, but these are the CEO's instructions. Please wait here, Miss Aiken." With that, she gestured for Tom Aiken and Lia Aiken to proceed.

Tom Aiken once again shook off his younger daughter's hand and followed the secretary.

Lia Aiken merely glanced at Violet before silently following her father.

Blinded by jealousy, Violet couldn't accept being left there like that. She had followed them here to see Ivan, to let him know she was better than Lia.

"Dad, let my sister wait here. I'll go with you to meet Mr. Horne. She doesn't know business; what can she help you with? At least I've accompanied you on several business meetings and have some experience." Violet clutched her father's arm before he could leave the VIP Room.

She did indeed accompany her father to a few business meetings.

Since her mother's death, Lia hadn't set foot in the Aiken Group. Tom Aiken had long decided that the family assets wouldn't be divided with Lia. He just hadn't voiced it, leaving Celine Taylor to worry that Lia might take a share of the inheritance, doing everything to drive Lia out of the house and prevent any Aiken Group business from reaching her.

"Violet, if you don't behave, don't blame Dad for punishing you." Tom Aiken's face turned completely dark.

This younger daughter was truly spoiled; to behave like this at Valence Group was disgraceful.

Violet pouted in grievance.

Reluctantly, she let go of her father's arm.

The secretary stopped and turned to look at the situation, maintaining a graceful and appropriate smile. She understood Violet's actions but didn't show any sarcasm, as she was accustomed to such things and her upbringing prevented it.

Tom Aiken felt quite embarrassed.

He planned to talk to his wife later about properly disciplining Violet. They couldn't keep spoiling her like this, making her unaware of boundaries. Such a daughter was only a disgrace to take out.

Looking at Lia, who quietly stayed aside, not speaking yet free of fault, her artistic presence was more pronounced in her silence. Tom Aiken, who once didn't see Lia, now noticed her. The contrast made him realize Lia's upbringing far surpassed Violet's.

"I'm sorry, this daughter of mine has been indulged too much. I'm sorry for the trouble, Secretary Xu." Tom Aiken said a bit embarrassedly.

Secretary Xu smiled and said, "I understand, Mr. Aiken. Miss Lia, please."

Tom Aiken forced a smile and followed Secretary Xu.

As Lia walked past Violet, Violet suddenly stuck her foot out to trip her. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Lia stumbled forward a few steps, though she didn't fall, she steadied herself by holding onto the wall.

Before Lia could react, a cold command was issued: "Secretary Xu, call security up and throw her out!"

The speaker was Ivan.

Having finished his work, Ivan noticed the delay and came out, witnessing Violet's attempt to trip Lia. He wanted to rush forward to help Lia, but it was too late.

Fortunately, Lia did not fall.

Seeing Ivan's handsome yet stern face, his cold eyes piercing Violet, Tom Aiken didn't need to ask to know what happened. He was instantly furious with his younger daughter. Had he known she would behave so improperly, he would have ignored his wife's pleas and not brought Violet along no matter what.

Secretary Xu, unaware of what transpired, saw the CEO come out, stride forward a few steps, then halt abruptly. She was surprised when she heard his command.

Working beside Ivan for several years, it was Secretary Xu's first time seeing him so furious.

Without questioning, she immediately called the head of security to bring people upstairs to throw Violet out.

Violet stared blankly at Ivan.

This was Mr. Horne, indeed tall and handsome; even with his stern expression and cold eyes, he was as charismatic as ever. But... Violet's face gradually turned pale as she realized that Ivan had witnessed her attempt to trip Lia.

Mr. Horne even ordered her to be thrown out!

"Lia, are you okay?" After instructing Secretary Xu to call security to remove Violet, Ivan quickly walked to Lia's side, asking with concern.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."

Lia hastened to reply. She had been tripped by Violet before, and afterwards had chased her around with a clothes hanger, lashing her legs with welts. Despite getting disciplined by her stepmother and father later, she had scared Violet enough not to try again.

She hadn't expected Violet's jealousy would drive her to such actions at Valence Group today.

She had been careless, failing to guard against it.

Luckily, she hadn't fallen.

Seeing Ivan's concern for Lia, Tom Aiken immediately turned back to his younger daughter, demanding harshly, "Violet, what did you do to your sister?"

"Dad, I didn't... She accidentally kicked my foot while walking, and it hurt." Violet wouldn't admit she tried to trip Lia.

Ivan coldly exposed her lie, "I saw you stick your foot out to trip Lia as I came out. Am I mistaken, or are you lying?"

"I..."

Violet's face turned white, speechless.

Knowing his daughters were like enemies, Tom Aiken regretted bringing Violet along once again.

"What are you all standing there for? Get the young lady out of here immediately; don't leave her here to disgrace us." Tom Aiken ordered his people to take Violet away, thinking it would be better than having security throw her out.

Unfortunately, the head of security had already arrived with the team.

Ivan seemed not to have heard Tom Aiken, once again commanding, "Throw her out for me, and never let her set foot in Valence Group again."

"Dad... Mr. Horne, I didn't mean it, I... Dad!" Violet panicked. The Valence security gave Tom Aiken no face, grabbing Violet to drag her away.

"Mr. Horne, my daughter is a bit spoiled. I'll have someone escort her out; there's no need to trouble your people." Tom Aiken's face flushed red and white, worrying about how to face the world should word spread that his treasured daughter had been thrown out.

Ivan, however, held Lia's hand, leading her towards his office.

No matter how Violet struggled, she was dragged out by security. As she struggled more, the security simply picked her up. After all, the CEO said to throw her out, so picking her up was the way to do it.