“`html

Wendy dashed out of the house, still reeling from the slap she received from Lady Wilson. Just as she was about to escape the courtyard, Christopher intervened, stopping her in her tracks.

Christopher urged her to return inside, but Wendy was resolute in her refusal. In her mind, Lady Wilson was the root of all her troubles. If it weren’t for her, would Wendy really be in such a dire situation?

Fueled by anger, Wendy felt an overwhelming urge to run as far from home as possible.

But her resolve began to waver when she recalled her father’s words.

At that moment, Christopher earnestly said, “Wendy, where do you think you’ll go if you run away? You don’t have a job or a place to stay out there! Being a girl, it’s not easy for you to find work and rent a place, especially now. I know your grandma can be difficult, but what other choice do we have? She is still the head of the Wilson family!”

Wendy paused, contemplating her father’s perspective.

It dawned on her that leaving the Wilson family villa would leave her with nowhere to turn. She realized how humiliating it would be for the second young lady of the Wilson family to be found wandering the streets, homeless.

With a heavy heart, she expressed her frustration, saying, “Dad! Grandma is just too controlling! I can’t handle her anymore. Why don’t we consider moving out…”

Christopher sighed deeply before replying, “Move out? If we do that now, we risk losing everything! Your grandmother may only have a few years left. Once she’s gone, the Wilson family villa and all its assets will come to us. This is our home. If we leave now, your second uncle and his family could swoop in and take it back, and we’d be left with nothing.”

Wendy felt a wave of realization wash over her.

Even though Claire’s family currently had a strained relationship with Lady Wilson, if they were to return to the villa, they would undoubtedly try to claim it for themselves!

As these thoughts raced through her mind, Wendy began to cry once more. “But I can’t keep living like this! I can’t stand her anymore…”

Seeing his daughter so distressed, Christopher felt compelled to comfort her. “Try not to dwell on it. We have a guest in our home right now, and we mustn’t give a bad impression. Once he leaves, I promise I’ll give you some money for a little getaway to help you relax, okay?”

Wendy nodded slightly, agreeing to her father’s plan. “Alright, then…”

As they returned to the villa together, Lady Wilson had just escorted Kenneth to the guest room and was coming down the stairs.

Upon seeing Wendy back, Lady Wilson hurried over, her demeanor changed. “Wendy, I was wrong earlier. I’m sorry for acting impulsively and hitting you. I truly apologize and hope you can forgive me.”

Lady Wilson was eager for Wendy to help sway Kenneth’s opinion, so she took the first step by offering her apology.

Wendy was taken aback by her grandmother’s gesture. It was quite rare for the strong-willed Lady Wilson to apologize to anyone, and Wendy felt a sense of relief wash over her.

Taking Wendy’s hand, Lady Wilson led her to the living room sofa. “Wendy, do you understand that our family is currently facing a significant crisis?”

Wendy nodded, acknowledging her grandmother’s words. “Yes, grandma. I’m aware.”

“Since the White family called off your engagement to Gerald, everyone in Aurous Hill views you as a laughingstock. Although I hate to bring it up, it’s the truth, and you need to recognize it, right?”

At Lady Wilson’s words, Wendy’s tears flowed again.

Everyone in Aurous Hill knew her as the woman who had been rejected by the White family. The prospect of marrying another wealthy man seemed utterly impossible for her now.

At least in Aurous Hill, that dream felt completely out of reach.

“`