"Caleb Forrest, you come back and don't even ask me what's wrong. You don't care if I'm sick. All you can talk about is bringing some woman home to live with us."
"People in the know might say you're repaying a debt of gratitude. But those who don't would think she's something more to you."
"Also, you said you were kicked out by your in-laws. Where were your in-laws from originally?"
"Do you have a letter of introduction to be here?"
"If you don't have a letter of introduction, I have reason to suspect you're an enemy agent. Letting you live in our home would endanger my whole family. Even if it means having a complete falling out with Caleb Forrest, I will absolutely not agree to this."
Grace Winslow's pretty face was cold, showing no intention of backing down.
She knew very well.
'Once Ivy White moves in, she'll never leave.'
'This house is half mine. Why should I be the one to give it up?'
'Even though I've lived through my past life and have no feelings left for Caleb Forrest, why should I just let this despicable pair have their way?'
'In my past life, they made me suffer so terribly. My child was gone. Ivy White even framed my brother for assaulting her, getting him sentenced to prison. My sister-in-law, unable to bear it, threw herself into a river, and my orphaned nephew was endlessly humiliated because of our family's ruined reputation.'
'My parents fell ill from the ordeal and passed away not long after.'
'At the time, I didn't know Ivy White's true character and genuinely believed my brother had acted rashly and done something wrong. Wracked with guilt, I took extra care of Ivy, even agreeing to many of her unreasonable demands.'
'Looking back now, I was such a fool.'
'I had taken care of the enemy responsible for my child's and brother's deaths for so many years.'
'I only learned the truth when I died.'
'In this life, I will never allow the same tragedy to happen again.'
'Ivy White... I will viciously tear that hypocritical mask from her face.'
'And as for Caleb Forrest, I will get my revenge for the last life too!'
'I won't let this despicable pair get away with it!'
Upon hearing this, Ivy White's face went pale, and tears began to stream down her cheeks. "My... my letter of introduction... I ran into a pickpocket on the way here and it was stolen. I... I'm really not an enemy agent! Caleb, you have to believe me, I'm not! Jason was a martyr. How could I possibly do something like that?"
Ivy White was exceptionally beautiful, with innocent, pure features—the kind of face that reminds you of a first love. So when she started crying, Caleb Forrest's heart broke, and all his reason vanished.
He stared coldly at Grace Winslow and raised his hand to strike her.
Even though Grace Winslow was already utterly disappointed in Caleb Forrest, seeing his actions now still made her heart ache.
She had once loved Caleb Forrest so, so much. She would have given her life for him.
And for what?
The man she loved was nothing but an ungrateful bastard!
"You're going to hit me? Caleb Forrest, you're going to raise a hand to me for her? Now I'm really starting to have my doubts about the relationship between you two." Grace Winslow tilted her face up, showing not a single trace of fear.
'If Caleb Forrest's hand came down today, it would completely shatter any affection left between them.'
'Then she would have an excuse to ask for a divorce.'
'But she was sure he wouldn't dare to hit her.'
'He cared about his reputation more than anything.'
'If he really slapped her, how could he ever show his face in public again?'
'At the end of the day, Caleb Forrest was a selfish man who loved himself most of all.'
Caleb Forrest's hand froze. He pulled it back, flustered and uneasy. "Grace, listen to me. I... I wasn't going to hit you. It's just... you're slandering a woman's reputation like this. How is she supposed to face anyone?"
"Caleb Forrest, when you brought her to our home, did you ever stop to consider how she was supposed to face anyone?"
"'A widow's doorstep is a magnet for gossip.' You know her status is sensitive. If she moves into our house, can you imagine how much people will talk? Someone might even say that you, Caleb Forrest, are enjoying the company of two women. Haven't you considered what a terrible impact that would have?"
"What if one of the neighbors writes a letter and reports you? Do you still want to be the deputy factory director?"
"If you're not afraid of that, then let her stay. I won't say another word." Grace Winslow lifted her head, her eyes red as she stared at Caleb Forrest.
Caleb Forrest took a step back. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but found that he couldn't say a thing.