The line fell quiet for a moment.
Noticing his dark expression and hostile tone on the video call, Vivian Morton's heart skipped a beat. A smile immediately bloomed on her face. "Hubby, I missed you," she said coquettishly. "I heard that the third sister is back. As her sister-in-law, shouldn't I prepare a welcome gift for her?"
Her voice was cautious, carrying a hint of fawning.
Mr. Morgan had undergone emergency heart surgery a few days ago. Vivian had been keeping him company at the hospital and hadn't yet met Iris Dalton. However, news of the Sherwood family's third daughter's return had already spread throughout Stellan's elite circles. After discussing it with her family, Vivian decided to feel out this new sister-in-law.
If the Sherwood family valued this daughter, she would make sure to get on Iris's good side. Life was tough enough for her as a daughter-in-law in the Sherwood family, so coaxing her sister-in-law was crucial.
Tristan Sherwood was currently irritable and had nowhere to vent his frustration. Hearing Vivian talk about such trivial matters made him look impatient. "You're bothering me with something this small? Can't you make a decision yourself?"
Things hadn't been going his way lately. A bunch of messy affairs had cropped up at home, and the company wasn't giving him a moment of peace either. After marrying Vivian, he had arranged for his father-in-law and brother-in-law to work at his company. He had turned a blind eye to his brother-in-law's idleness and slacking off. But who would have thought that his father-in-law would have sticky fingers, embezzling company funds and secretly cooking the books?
The company lost over ten million. When the incident came to light, the shareholders wanted to call the police. Unable to deny it, his father-in-law suffered a sudden heart attack on the spot and was rushed to the hospital for surgery.
Vivian pleaded on her father's behalf, crying and begging Tristan to let him off. Tristan was overwhelmed. To save face, he didn't dare tell his family. He had no choice but to quietly suppress the matter and pay out of his own pocket to cover his father-in-law's deficit.
The issue was resolved, but he had lost money and his reputation, earning the dissatisfaction of several shareholders. The frustration suffocated him. He didn't even bother to visit his father-in-law at the hospital for his surgery.
"Alright, I'll arrange it myself, then. Hubby, take good care of yourself while I'm not home. Don't stay up late, and smoke less," Vivian advised thoughtfully before hanging up.
In the hospital ward.
While wiping Mr. Morgan's face with a warm towel, Mrs. Morgan looked up and asked, "Vivi, what did Tristan say? Does he blame your father?"
Vivian's face fell. "Couldn't Dad just behave himself? Does it kill him not to hold me back?" she complained in displeasure. "Do you have any idea how much effort it took me to marry into the Sherwood family?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Mr. Morgan gave a dry, awkward laugh. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, sweetie. But I didn't spend that much of the Sherwood family's money. Tristan is my son-in-law; isn't it only right for him to show some financial respect to his father-in-law?"
"Dad, can't you and Mom look at the bigger picture? Everyone outside says our family is nothing but petty commoners, marrying into wealth just to take cheap advantage of them!" Pent-up frustration finally drove Vivian to explode. Over ten million had been wasted, resulting in his ruined reputation and termination from the company. She still worked there! Her family had completely disgraced her!
After graduating from college, Vivian married into the Sherwood family. Unwilling to become a full-time housewife, she insisted on working at the company as Tristan's personal secretary. She was so ambitious, yet her parents and brother were utterly useless. It left her feeling incredibly disillusioned.
Sitting nearby and munching on an apple, Ray Morgan grew displeased. He shot her a glance. "Sis, didn't you marry into a rich family so we could enjoy a better life? That ten million Dad took wouldn't even buy a single luxury car. It's no big deal. The Sherwoods call themselves a top-tier family, yet they're so stingy."
Vivian choked on her own breath, nearly giving herself a heart attack from pure rage. She glared at her brother, unwilling to continue this conversation.
"Mom, you stay here and take care of Dad. I'm going home to pack a few things. By the way, where did you put all the clothes and shoes I wore in high school and college?"
"I packed them up and put them in the basement. Why do you ask?" Mrs. Morgan looked up, confused.
"Isn't Tristan's third sister back? From what I can tell, the Sherwood family doesn't really care about this daughter. I heard she came from some remote mountain village and has never been to school. The Sherwoods probably think she's an embarrassment.
"My sister-in-law is quite pitiful. I figured I'd gather my old high school and college clothes and shoes to give her when I head back."
Her old clothes and shoes were still in great condition—at least eighty percent new—and many were designer brands. They would be perfect for her sister-in-law, and nothing would go to waste.
In a five-star hotel suite.
Serena Sherwood was curled up on the sofa, wiping away tears and stamping her feet as she cursed, "That little bitch! The moment she comes back, she tries to steal my room! Who does she think she is?"
Her manager sat across from her, eyes lowered, a dark flash of annoyance flickering in her gaze. If Serena wasn't riding on her status as a wealthy heiress, the manager wouldn't have bothered dealing with this brainless idiot.
"That little bitch stepped on my landmine! I'm definitely going to kick that damn girl out!" Serena shrieked hysterically, violently smashing the crystal glass in front of her into pieces.
A trace of resignation crossed the manager's face. She had originally held high hopes for Serena, but who would have thought the girl was nothing more than an empty-headed fool? It made her grow increasingly impatient. But for the sake of her high salary, she had to keep serving her.
She sighed inwardly. Stepping forward, she wrapped an arm around Serena's shoulders and coaxed patiently, "Serena, you're a big star and a public figure. Do you know how many fans have their eyes on you? Don't lose control over something so trivial. If the paparazzi catch wind of this and expose a scandal about sisters fighting over family wealth, it'll have a massive impact on your future."
"Then what should I do? Am I supposed to just swallow my anger and let her bully me?" Serena was still fuming, her exquisitely made-up face twisting into a hideous grimace.
Swallowing her own irritation, the manager explained patiently, "You've lived a life of luxury for twenty years, while she spent eighteen years in a remote mountain village. What is there to compare? Even if she returns to the Sherwood family, she can't threaten your position. You're exquisite, precious porcelain; do you really have to go head-to-head with a piece of worthless scrap? It's beneath you!"
"I just can't swallow this insult," Serena gritted her teeth.
Seeing her flustered and exasperated appearance, the manager couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling incredibly drained. In the entertainment industry, Serena had built up the persona of a noble, generous, and wealthy socialite. Seeing her act so petty now, utterly lacking in tolerance and class, the manager regretted ever taking on this artist.
"How about this? Go find Young Master Adler and have him resolve it for you," the manager said, having given up on reasoning with her and opting to just push the problem elsewhere. "Your persona is that of a wealthy heiress. You absolutely cannot ruin your reputation just because you're fighting with your sister."
With a personality like Serena's, wanting to thrive in the entertainment industry was nothing but a pipe dream. She'd be lucky if her career didn't completely collapse, forcing her to leave the industry altogether. The manager felt highly annoyed. At this point, she could only take things one step at a time.
"Milo is a star too. If I ask him to speak up for me, and his fans find out..." Serena also wanted someone to back her up, but she hesitated when it came to Shaun Adler.
"We both know exactly what kind of background Young Master Adler has. Your sister is troublesome. Have Young Master Adler give her a warning. A little girl from the mountains will naturally get scared when she faces a wealthy heir, and she'll rein herself in after that," the manager said mildly.