Evelyn lowered her lashes, hiding the cold glint in her eyes.

She did need to play the part of a wife reluctant to divorce, obedient to Zack and his mother.

But that didn't mean she would let them walk all over her.

Kelsey moving in was simply too much.

She looked up at Zack. "The contract Mina gave you today. Their company hasn't stamped it yet, has it?"

Zack shot to his feet. "Grace, are you threatening me?"

Evelyn's voice was calm. "Mina has never been one to tolerate any nonsense. If she finds out you brought Kelsey here, this deal will likely fall through."

She continued, her tone even. "Zack, I've tolerated you keeping a mistress. But don't push it too far."

Bringing Kelsey home was Zack's way of testing Grace's limits.

Last time she found out about the affair, she only cried and made a scene. She didn't even dare mention divorce.

He had planned to use this chance to formally bring Kelsey into the household.

He never expected Grace to use Mina to pressure him.

Zack's face darkened. Thinking of the huge contract, he could only give Kelsey a cold smile. "Sweetheart, her fish is terrible. I'll take you out to eat."

Kelsey immediately pouted. "Takeout isn't clean. It's not good for the baby."

Mrs. Davis glared at Evelyn. "Grace, don't be ungrateful! If you keep making trouble, Zack will divorce you! You'll never see Chloe again!"

Evelyn hung her head, pretending to be wronged. "Mom, Zack, this house was left by my parents. My mistress absolutely cannot set foot in here. That is my bottom line."

Mrs. Davis raged, "She's carrying the Davis family's grandson!"

Evelyn's eyes reddened. "The child can come back. But this woman cannot."

Kelsey gritted her teeth in anger. "You..."

Zack coughed. "Enough, sweetheart. Let's go."

Kelsey shot Evelyn a resentful glare. To her surprise, the seemingly fragile woman raised a challenging eyebrow at her.

Kelsey instantly understood. This was Grace declaring war.

Hah.

Did she really think she could win?

She was just relying on Zack having just signed Mina's contract. Once the cooperation was stable, let's see how she could act so arrogant then.

Fuming, Kelsey left with Zack.

After they left, Mrs. Davis snorted. "Satisfied? Now go make dinner!"

"...Okay."

Evelyn acted obedient and compliant.

In the following days, she wholeheartedly played the role of the good wife and daughter-in-law.

Her meals were exquisitely prepared and delicious. Little Chloe and Mrs. Davis both gained some weight.

Evelyn didn't speak much at home, but she was diligent and hardworking.

She even deliberately tried to curry favor with Mrs. Davis on occasion.

Several times, she overheard Mrs. Davis on the phone. "...Grace takes such good care of me! Now I can go square dancing every day. I don't have to lift a finger."

She continued, "She's much more sensible than before. She even knows how to please me. After the divorce, she can just stay here as a live-in nanny. We won't have to pay her. What a bargain!"

A faint smile touched Evelyn's lips.

It was easy to go from frugality to luxury. The reverse was much harder.

In modern society, what daughter-in-law would serve her mother-in-law like this?

The more she did now, the more satisfied Mrs. Davis would become. The greater the contrast would be when she had to deal with Kelsey after the divorce.

She could already imagine the chaotic days those two would have in the future.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The contract expiration was in two days.

Zack seemed completely unaware that the company couldn't deliver the technology. He spent his days having fun with Kelsey outside.

"The lawyers are all prepared. We'll sue him directly the day after tomorrow!" Mina said excitedly.

She then looked seriously at Evelyn. "Grace, I'm asking you one last time. The cooling-off period is over. Are you really sure about the divorce?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."

"That's good. I was really afraid you'd soften your heart. That all this was just to make him come back to you."

Evelyn changed the subject. "Why did we agree to meet here today?"

This was a private dining restaurant. The environment was elegant, and the decor was expensive.

Mina raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm meeting my blind date here today. I called you to come and vet him for me."

Evelyn was taken aback. "Blind date?"

Mina sighed. "A business marriage alliance, of course! My family situation is complicated... My parents said this alliance is important. The other party has a big background."

She explained, "He's from New York, basically holding a selection process. I'm just one of the candidates!"

She rested her chin on her hand, looking somewhat dejected. "Grace, sometimes I really envy you. Being a romantic at least gives you freedom. You married Zack because you wanted to. But me..."

She lowered her eyes. "If I'm chosen by this distinguished person, my parents will have more standing at home."

She gave a self-deprecating laugh, took out a compact mirror to touch up her makeup, and asked Evelyn, "Gracie, do I look beautiful today? Do you think that distinguished person will fancy me?"

Evelyn could see she was putting on a brave face.

She said softly, "You're very beautiful. He'll definitely be interested."

Every social stratum had its difficulties.

Even wealthy families were no exception.

Mina nodded. "I think so too. Among the elite young ladies of New York, my looks rank in the top five. The number of people chasing me could circle the globe."

She rested her chin on her hand again, muttering, "But I heard his family originally had no daughters. For this marriage alliance, they adopted two girls from a collateral branch to raise under their name."

She sighed. "If I really marry into that family, I'll have to serve two sisters-in-law!"

She added, "Grace, if only you had an older brother. I'd just marry him and become your sister-in-law!"

Evelyn asked, "...Who is your blind date?"

Mina said helplessly, "The young master of one of the five great families of New York, Marcus Valentine."

Evelyn was stunned.

As soon as the words were spoken, the shop door was pushed open.

Marcus Valentine strode in.