Chapter 527

The Harper family was once a prominent lineage. Though now in decline, during Madam Stone's youth, the Harper family was at the height of its prosperity, even surpassing the Stone family in influence. Unfortunately, the heir chosen to inherit the Harper Group, Irene's grandfather, turned out to be far from ideal. He was the epitome of extravagance, indulging in luxury without a shred of business acumen. By the time the family fortune passed to Irene's father, it had already crumbled beyond repair. That was why the Harper family had arranged a marriage alliance for Irene at such a young age—and with a powerful overseas conglomerate, no less, in hopes of salvaging their fading prestige. Back when Irene was still a child, the Harper family had managed to maintain some semblance of their former glory. That was how Madam Stone came to know her. Even now, though the Harper family had fallen far from grace, they still fared slightly better than the White family. Only when Madam Stone spoke di