Although Rachel had a mild temperament, she had finally reached her limit.

Her composed expression now carried an icy edge, and the look in her eyes had turned stormy. She no longer seemed like someone who could be reasoned with. She slowly walked up to Yvette and stared at her for a few seconds. Suddenly, she raised her hand and slapped Yvette hard across the face.

“Ah!!” Yvette instinctively covered her mouth. She glared at Rachel. “How dare you hit me in front of Grandpa?”

“So what?” Rachel asked calmly. “Didn’t you hear Mr. Hunt earlier? He said I could do it in his place. One more thing, you can say whatever you want about me, but don’t drag Mom into it. She’s your mother too!”

“So what if she is? She always loved you more!” Yvette snapped. "I’m her real daughter, and she still defended you at every turn!"

“If she never wanted me, why bother giving birth to me in the first place? Why should someone like you who’s not even part of the family get to boss me around?”

Yvette was visibly furious, and she raised her hand to strike back.

A man’s voice interrupted.

“Better think twice, Yvette. If you hit back, that’ll just earn you another slap. Like I said, I don’t hit women. Rachel will be doing it for me.”

Yvette’s jaw trembled with barely contained anger. She really couldn’t understand what was so great about Rachel that Tyler would actually step in to defend her. Rachel was still married. How could she possibly compare to someone like herself, who had never even been engaged?

Still, Yvette had no choice but to slowly lower her raised hand. She turned around, eyes misty with tears, and looked pitifully at Gerald. “Grandpa, you have to stand up for me. Rachel’s completely out of control!”

But Gerald didn’t dare say anything harsh to Tyler. Tyler’s company was at its peak. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he overtook Lewis Enterprise. If they made an enemy out of him now, once Tyler became the dominant force in Yurelia City, squashing the Lloyd family would be a walk in the park for him.

Gerald placed a hand on Yvette’s shoulder and spoke softly. “This time, we’re in the wrong. Just bear with it for now.”

Yvette’s eyes welled with tears. Clenching her fists, she ran out of the room and upstairs, covering her face.

Gerald sighed deeply and turned to the maids. “Go up and calm her down.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rachel stood there silently, watching it all unfold. She couldn’t help but remember how, not so long ago, she was the one Gerald used to dote on like that. But now, all he saw was his real granddaughter, Yvette. Was blood really that important? After all these years living together, did none of that mean anything?

Without saying a word, Rachel turned and walked away. From now on, Gerald could enjoy his life with his real granddaughter. As for her, the ‘fake‘ one, she wouldn’t be coming back.

Tyler slipped his hands back into his pockets, watching the whole scene play out with an air of amusement.

“I’ll let this matter go today,” he said casually. “But I hope you make sure your granddaughter learns how to behave. Next time, don’t embarrass yourselves with such disgusting tricks.”

Gerald’s face turned an ugly shade, but he couldn’t find a single word to argue back.

Outside, a cold wind swept across Rachel’s face. The side of her cheek that had been slapped earlier still throbbed faintly. She was reaching for her phone to get a ride when Tyler appeared beside her out of nowhere.

“I helped you out big time,” he said. His tone was light but laced with sarcasm. “Not even a thank–you? Is that how the Lloyd family teaches manners?”