Family Divide

I looked at the woman coldly.

She was Grayson's mother, Laura.

She was also the one who had always favored Scarlette and treated me poorly. She knew full well how much I had suffered, yet she had never once spoken a kind word on my behalf. I had respected her before because she was an elder—now I no longer wanted to placate her.

As I turned to walk away, she grabbed my arm, her face hard and vicious. "Don't be absurd—are you really going to divorce my son?"

I shot back, "What do you think? Should I pretend I didn't see them about to sleep together and congratulate them with a banner?"

Laura flushed with surprise at my bold reply and fell momentarily silent.

I pulled my hand free and told her plainly, "I'm done with your son."

Her expression darkened into rage as she pointed and berated me without mercy. "You're so petty. Scarlette is my other son's wife—what's wrong with Grayson taking care of his sister-in-law? Are you going to nitpick everything and slander them?

"Typical of someone from a poor family—no manners and no basic respect or understanding. You've got a cruel streak in you; making a scene and demanding a divorce on your wedding day is only meant to shame our family.

"Anyway, you'll admit you were wrong today. You can't sully my son and daughter-in-law's reputation—if you want a divorce, you'll have to wait until the storm has passed."

I frowned, resolute. "I won't apologize. This marriage is over. If worse comes to worst, I'll take it to court."

"As if! If we don't pay you a cent, what chance does a girl born in a slum like you have of suing our family?" she sneered, every word dripped with contempt. "You're lucky to marry my son. If you insist on divorce, I doubt even your parents would approve."

Upon hearing her bring up my parents, my eyes stung.

They had opposed my marriage to Grayson from the start, but because they couldn't stop me, they reluctantly consented. And to make sure I lived with dignity, they had given me a dowry worth over a hundred million, and I had quietly converted most of it to cash and kept it hidden to avoid envy.

If they learned I wanted a divorce, they would be upset, but they would back me.

I had no intention of arguing further with someone so small-minded, so I turned and ignored her. But she wouldn't let me leave—she rushed to block me again. "Don't make me do this the hard way."

I looked at her coldly. "What, does everyone here intend to beat me up?"

Her expression hardened, and she signaled the servants to grab me. One woman's strength against three of them was futile—I was quickly overpowered and restrained.

Laura strode up, her fury mounting as she raised her hand. "I'll teach a wicked wench like you a lesson!"

Just as her palm was about to descend, a voice from the doorway barked, "Stop! Lay a hand on her, and I'll chop off your hand."

Her arm froze midair, and she stepped back instinctively.

A few bodyguards barreled in, pushing the servants aside and forming a protective circle around me. I saw who had come and, despite everything, couldn't help a rueful smile.

My brother hurried over, sizing me up. When he saw the wound on my forehead, he turned grim and shouted at everyone in a dark, furious voice, "How dare you all bully my sister?!"