Renda, glancing at the unappetizing late-night snacks, asked, "Brenda, why do you look so down? Want to order some barbecue instead?"

Brenda shook her head and sighed. "I'm upset because my husband is coming home. My good days are over."

Yasmin, trying to be fair, said, "But Mr. Howard isn't ugly, is he?"

Brenda offered a blunt assessment of George, whom she barely knew. "He's too much, and not my type." Brenda was known for her refined taste and delicate preferences; men like George were precisely the kind she couldn't stand.

That night, before bed, Yasmin again attempted to remove a bracelet from her wrist. Again, she failed. Just as she was about to give up, she noticed something faintly visible on the side. Holding it to the light, she saw an engraved word: Mamie. The engraving was in Scriptina font, with a sharp, almost forceful edge—a style unmistakably Caletes. Yasmin stared at the engraving, a knot forming in her stomach. If Caleb had given her this bracelet, carved with her name a month ago, she would have been overjoyed. But time had changed everything, and she no longer needed it.

The next morning, Yasmin was jolted awake by her phone ringing. The caller ID showed Gracia. She quickly shook off her grogginess and answered. Before she could greet her, a warm, familiar chuckle filled the receiver.

"Yasmin! Are you still in bed?"

"Mrs. Grant Senior, I just woke up," Yasmin replied, feeling a little guilty as it was almost 10:00 AM.

"No worries. Young people need their sleep! I just missed you, that's all," Gracie replied. After a short pause, she continued, "My birthday is next week. You'll be coming back with Caleb, won't you?"

Yasmin, still sluggish from sleep, felt her mind snap to full alertness. Did Gracie know about the impending divorce? When she had been caught with Caleb, most of the Grants had regarded her with disdain and ridicule. They called her shameless, manipulative, and unworthy of marrying into their prestigious family. However, Gracie had stood by her, insisting Caleb marry Yasmin. The scandal had made headlines, and marrying Caleb had been the most dignified way out for her. Yasmin was eternally grateful to Gracie; she couldn't disappoint her.

"Yasmin?" Gracie's voice held a hint of disappointment.

"I... definitely can make it," Yasmin stammered, unsure if she would attend.

Gracie seemed satisfied. "I heard Caleb just bought an emerald bracelet. Some of the girls at home tried to ask him for it, but he said it was a gift for you. Remember to wear it when you come over next time and make them all jealous!"

Yasmin, who had planned to have the bracelet removed, was speechless. "How did they even find out Caleb bought a bracelet?"

Gracie chuckled. "Oh, dear, everyone knows!"

Yasmin was baffled. Brenda, sensing Yasmin's confusion, pulled out her phone and showed her a WhatsApp group chat. A private group, filled with young socialites and heirs, buzzed with discussions about Caleb spending a fortune to win Yasmin's favor.

"Didn't they say Caleb doesn't care about Yasmin? This must've cost at least seven figures!" "Holy crap! Since when does Mr. Grant lose his mind over a woman?" "Wait... isn't Caleb in love with Veronica? Could the jewelry be a bribe?" "Veronica and her mother always seemed so gentle and gracious. It turns out they're not that great, after all!" "Is no one wondering who bought Yasmin's mother's heirloom and gifted it back to her? Imagine Caleb's reaction when he found out! He probably lost all his money!"

Rumors and speculations spread like wildfire, becoming the hottest gossip. Yasmin hated being the center of attention, especially now, when her relationship with Caleb was anything but suitable for such publicity.

Brenda had work in the afternoon, so after washing up, she left. As she stepped out of the building, she saw a tall figure leaning against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers. He lowered his head and took a slow drag. Brenda stopped.

"My parents want us to have lunch with them," George said, extinguishing his cigarette and offering a half-smile. "They're worried we might be heading for a divorce. They're panicking."

Brenda was speechless. Grace's birthday party, once Yasmin's ticket into the Grant family, had become an impossible dilemma. She and Caleb were about to divorce. Socially, attending in her current status was inappropriate. Unless she finalized the divorce beforehand, giving her a legitimate reason to refuse the invitation.

Yasmin called Caleb, but there was no answer. She then called Harris.

"Mrs. Grant, it's the weekend. Mr. Grant isn't working today, so how could a mere assistant like me know his every move?" Harris said innocently. "Mr. Grant was seriously drunk last night. Maybe you should go home and check on him?"

Harris referred to Longview Bay, the villa Caleb and Yasmin once shared. It had been over a month since she moved out, and standing before it, Yasmin felt strangely unfamiliar.

"Welcome home." The facial recognition system still recognized her, and the gate swung open. Neither she nor Caleb liked many people around, so there were no live-in staff. Yasmin rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Hesitantly, she used her fingerprint. The door unlocked. It was as if Caleb hadn't been living there. Nothing had changed since she left. The house was eerily quiet.

As Yasmin glanced around, she spotted a figure on the staircase. A tall man, dressed in a black robe, his dark hair slightly messy, held a glass of water. His gaze assessed her like an unexpected intruder.

Yasmin froze. "I called you, but you didn't answer. I rang the doorbell too."

Caleb seemed unfazed. "This house is yours too." Yasmin wasn't sure what he meant. Was he referring to marital assets? Or was he saying that, as his wife, she was still the lady of the house?