A look of utter despair washed over Seraphina Sutton’s face. Her fingernails dug so deep into her palms that they drew blood, but she paid it no mind.

Wren mentally gave Old Madam Xavier a thumbs-up.

’Age and experience will always win out.’

Every word from the old madam was like a scalpel, methodically stripping away Seraphina Sutton’s final shreds of dignity.

The crowd finally put two and two together.

Seraphina Sutton had been so eager to be Kaden Xavier’s mistress, only for it to turn out that the child she was carrying wasn’t even his.

Didn’t that make Kaden Xavier the ultimate fool?

As the absurdity of the situation sank in, Wren couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Kaden Xavier’s eyes darkened, and his voice was cold and commanding. "Stop laughing, all of you! Flight Attendant Sutton and I do not have the kind of relationship you’re thinking of!"

But his explanation sounded feeble and utterly unconvincing.

Old Madam Xavier squeezed Wren’s hand and turned to the two executives.

"Handle this as you see fit, but do not use force."

"Grandma..." Kaden tried to intervene.

After all, if something happened to the child, he would be too ashamed to ever face Asher Lynch.

Old Madam Xavier flicked a glance at Kaden, her expression one of utter disappointment.

"What are you afraid of? We live in a society governed by the rule of law. With the Xavier Family’s influence, who would dare mistreat her? You just focus on your own responsibilities. Look at you right now—you don’t carry yourself like a leader at all!"

Kaden lowered his head, meekly accepting the rebuke.

’He had indeed been impulsive today, and he hadn’t given Wren a way to save face in front of so many people. But he did it all to protect Seraphina Sutton’s child.’

’He couldn’t let Asher Lynch’s last bloodline be extinguished!’

"Wren, let’s go. Grandma will take you home."

Wren nodded, a feeling of warmth spreading through her heart.

She said goodbye to Joy Lynch and Claire Shaw, then left with Old Madam Xavier without a single look back.

She didn’t even spare Kaden a single glance.

"Grandma, how did you know I was here?"

Once in the car with Old Madam Xavier, Wren asked curiously.

"That boy from the Vance Family gave me a call. He told me you were being bullied."

"Oh, really?" Wren said, surprised.

’Looks like I owe him one.’

’Still, even if Grandma hadn’t come, I had my own ways of handling it.’

As her thoughts subsided, Old Madam Xavier squeezed Wren’s hand tightly, gently patting the back of it.

"Wren, dear, the Xavier Family has wronged you. It’s all that foolish boy’s fault for being so blind."

"It’s alright, Grandma. I’m used to it."

That simple phrase, "I’m used to it," held all the heartache and injustice Wren had endured for the past three years.

Old Madam Xavier let out a long sigh, her voice full of regret.

"Rest assured, as long as you are Mrs. Xavier, that Seraphina Sutton will never set foot in the Xavier family home."

"Grandma, actually... Kaden and I have already decided to get a divorce."

"What?!" Old Madam Xavier’s eyes widened. "When did this happen? Why didn’t I know?"

"About half a month ago. We haven’t finalized the papers yet, but we were planning to in the next few days."

’She had just returned to the Capital today, only to run into this mess.’

Old Madam Xavier was silent for a long moment, before finally letting out a deep sigh.

"Alright, child. Whatever you decide, Grandma will support you. Just don’t forget about me. Come and visit me often."

She was genuinely fond of Wren and had doted on her like her own granddaughter since she was a little girl.

"Don’t worry, Grandma. Even if Kaden and I are no longer husband and wife, you’ll always be my wonderful grandma."

Wren threw her arms around Old Madam Xavier, hugging her like a child.

DING—

"Old Madam, you have a call."

Old Madam Xavier took the phone. On the other end was the familiar voice of Maximus Yates.

"Celeste! I just acquired a wonderful painting today. You have to come see it."

"Ah, I’m busy today. I don’t feel like it. Some other time, perhaps."

"Some other time? You can’t put off seeing something this good! Come on, I’ve already sent a driver to pick you up. I even had your favorite pastries prepared. Don’t you dare say I’m a poor host."

Maximus Yates’s hearty laugh echoed from the other end of the line.

’He sounded like he was in an excellent mood. He must have really gotten his hands on a treasure.’

Old Madam Xavier couldn’t refuse Maximus Yates, so she had no choice but to ask the driver to change course and head for the Yates family estate.

「The Yates Estate.」

Old Madam Xavier had brought Wren along.

Just as they stepped out of the car, Maximus Yates emerged from the villa with Isaac Yates by his side.

Although Isaac Yates was in his forties, he had aged remarkably well. Combined with years of navigating the cutthroat business world, he exuded an air of calm astuteness. He wore a pair of black rimless glasses and a tailored suit vest that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, giving him a distinct and sophisticated charm.

"Elder Yates. Mr. Yates."

Wren greeted them demurely.

Elder Yates was even more delighted to see Wren. He immediately instructed a servant to prepare more refreshments for their guest.

"Long time no see, my dear. Did you attend the recent symposium?"

"It has been a while, Elder Yates. Yes, I attended the symposium. It was wonderful, I learned a great deal."

’And hadn’t she just? She’d run into her own professor and even been assigned homework.’

"Excellent, excellent. Come on in."

Wren followed them into the Yates villa.

Isaac Yates gave her a slight nod.

As she looked at Isaac Yates’s face, she was struck by an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He reminded her of someone, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think who.

"Is something the matter, Miss Wynter?" Isaac Yates asked.

Wren suddenly realized how rude she was being. She gave an awkward smile and apologized in a low voice.

"My apologies, Mr. Yates. It’s just that I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before, but I can’t quite place it."

"Perhaps I just have one of those faces."

Isaac Yates’s smile was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze, making him incredibly approachable.

’If his face was ’one of those faces,’ then the world must be overflowing with handsome men and beautiful women.’

His features were sharp and handsome. While not as flawlessly perfect as Kaden’s, they were pleasant and easy on the eyes—the kind of face that grew more attractive the longer you looked.

Combined with his impeccable fashion sense, he was definitely the type to turn heads on the street.

"You’re being too modest, Mr. Yates."

"My dear, come on up! Come see the new treasure I’ve acquired!"

Maximus Yates’s voice called down from the second floor.

Wren realized then that Maximus Yates and Old Madam Xavier had already gone up to the second floor at some point.

Wren quickly made her way up to the second floor, stopping in front of the "treasure" Maximus Yates had mentioned.

"Alright, you old coot, what is this treasure you’ve been going on about? Stop keeping us in suspense!"

Old Madam Xavier frowned, shooting Maximus Yates an annoyed glare.

’He’s ancient, but he still loves teasing people like a little kid.’

Beaming, Maximus Yates walked over to an object draped in red cloth. With a sharp tug, he pulled the cloth away.

A massive painting was revealed before the two women.

Wren’s eyes widened, her expression a mask of pure shock.

The painting depicted a woman, her face unseen, standing on a shore. The setting sun bathed her in light, casting her shadow long across the sand.

A man stood a short distance away, watching her quietly. Even in the painting, the undisguised love in his gaze was palpable.

"This is a gift from my grandson, now that he’s returned. What do you think? It’s not bad, is it?"

"You mean the grandson you sent to live in seclusion in the mountains all those years ago? What was his name again?"

"Shaun Yates."

Isaac Yates said, coming up from the first floor with that same smile on his face.