She sat down gracefully, her gaze openly appraising the young woman before her — her so-called daughter-in-law.
"I heard you've registered your marriage with Alex," she said coolly. "That doesn't matter. I don't approve of it."
She continued, voice steady but cutting:
"Emma, you're beautiful — even more so than the women I once chose for Alex. But looks don't last. Three years ago, even before your family went bankrupt, I might not have considered you worthy, let alone now. Wouldn't you agree?"
She tapped the rim of her teacup lightly, took a sip, and said slowly,
"I also heard you've been married before. I don't know what spell you cast on Alex, but if you have any sense left, you'll file for divorce yourself."
"That's not for me alone to decide," Emma replied evenly. "Alex is an adult. He knows what he's doing."
Scarlett's eyes turned icy. Her tone rose sharply.
"Are you trying to tell me how to handle my own affairs?"
