Chapter 80

Naomi smiled faintly. It seemed they planned to embarrass her.

Before Naomi could respond, Elaine continued, “Furthermore, Ms. Yates’s dedication to Brendan is a testament to her capabilities. She supports him both professionally and personally.”

Elaine then asked Chloe, “Ms. Yates, do you agree?”

Elaine's sharp gaze fell on Chloe, who paled. Quickly glancing at Naomi, Chloe shook her head. “Naomi, it’s not like that. Please don’t believe them. Many assistants work in the secretary’s office, and Brendan treats everyone equally.”

Although Chloe claimed Brendan treated everyone equally, she addressed him by his first name—unlike his other colleagues.

Elaine’s provocation and Chloe’s unconvincing explanation left Naomi feeling helpless, like a trapped animal.

Madelyn, seizing the opportunity, arrogantly declared, “Naomi, my mother is offering advice. Your manners are sorely lacking. Let’s not even discuss your ability to care for Brendan properly. You’ve been married over two years and still haven’t had a child. You haven’t given the Ludwig family an heir. What are you doing? Any woman can do this. You’re not infertile, are you?”

Madelyn’s words struck Naomi’s most sensitive point.

After Madelyn finished, Chloe looked at Naomi with pity. “Naomi,” she said softly, her tone and expression full of sympathy.

Naomi maintained a composed smile, appearing detached, as if observing a performance.

Pauline then interjected, “You’re always up to no good with Bailey. I don’t know how your parents raised you. You have no womanly grace.”

Naomi shrugged. “At least my parents didn’t raise me to seduce another woman’s husband and get pregnant while that woman was seriously ill. As for Mrs. Jenkins’s death, care to explain that, Pauline?”

Pauline paled at Naomi’s revelation. “Naomi, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Shortly after Bailey’s mother died, Pauline quickly rose to prominence within the family. Many rumors circulated at the time.

Feeling threatened, Elaine quickly interjected, “Naomi, we’re older than you. Our advice is for your own good. How can you make such baseless accusations?”

Naomi raised an eyebrow. “Oh, for my own good? Then enlighten me, Elaine. Teach me how to be a good wife and keep Brendan’s heart.”

Elaine knew Naomi’s intentions were not good and had no real affection for her. With a condescending tone, she said, “Stop appearing in public, stop causing trouble, and concentrate on being a good wife and mother. Your top priority is to bear Brendan a child; otherwise, this marriage will be at risk.”

Elaine knew Brendan didn’t want children; their lack of offspring was their main problem. However, she chose to focus on this.

Naomi smiled. “Why is the problem always attributed to me, and not Brendan? I need to learn from you how Mr. Sabella manages to have multiple women and children. Perhaps Brendan should learn from him.”

Elaine and the others’ expressions changed. They stared at Naomi, puzzled.

Elaine asked, “Naomi, what do you mean?”