Tessa clung to her mother even more tightly, her voice soft with emotion. “Thank you, Mom. You’re the best. I feel so much more at ease with you by my side.”

“Alright, enough sweet talk,” Grace said, her tone turning serious.

She wasn’t in the mood for playful banter. She had already sensed something was off—Julian’s sudden visit, paired with Tessa’s uncharacteristic behavior, made it clear that something had happened. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have turned out like this. Grace knew her daughter well. Tessa had genuinely liked Julian once. Watching her now, Grace could only think: something must have changed.

Tessa caught her mother’s look and gave a sheepish smile. “See? I knew I couldn’t hide anything from you.”

“Hmph. You’re my daughter. Of course, I know exactly how you think.”

Tessa grew more serious. “Mom, since I’m telling you this, you have to promise not to lose your temper or say anything unnecessary to the Hayes family. You know this is between you and me.”

Grace waved her hand dismissively. “Alright, alright. I get it. Enough nagging. Just tell me what you need to say.” But seeing how grave Tessa looked, a flicker of unease crept into Grace’s heart. Could it be… something serious had happened? The way Tessa spoke—it was as if she’d completely lost faith in the Hayes family. What on earth had gone wrong? With no other choice, Tessa told her mother everything that had happened at the Hayes household, sparing no detail.

“So, I was planning to talk to you about whether I should still go through with marrying Julian…” she finished awkwardly. “But before I could say anything, he showed up at the house.”

She smiled in relief. “Luckily, you were sharp enough to catch on. I knew you’d understand me best.”

A flicker of restrained fury flashed in Grace’s eyes. “My daughter, did that old witch really think a plate of ribs was enough to marry you off?”

Tessa was deeply moved by her mother’s anger but gently tried to calm her. “Mom, don’t be so upset. Didn’t I snap back at them in the end?”

“I just feel like something’s not right with the Hayes family. Why are they so desperate to rush the marriage? We already have an engagement. Everything else should naturally follow. But the way they’re pressing… it’s too much, isn’t it?”

Grace could see the unease in her daughter’s eyes and immediately reached out to reassure her.

Chapter 450

“Sweetheart, I understand. I feel the same way. There’s definitely something off about their family. Let’s take our time and think this through before giving them any answer. And listen, even if my precious girl never marries, I can take care of you for the rest of your life.”

“Mom…”

That one sentence brought tears to Tessa’s eyes. Feeling overwhelmed, she threw her arms around Grace and clung tightly, unwilling to let go.

“You really are the best, Mom. No one in the world understands me like you do.”

Grace smiled, her expression soft as she gently stroked Tessa’s hair. “Silly girl, of course, I hurt when you hurt. You’re my daughter. Who else would I protect if not you?”

While mother and daughter shared a warm, quiet moment, things at the Hayes household were far from peaceful. Julian’s father slammed his teacup to the ground. “That vixen, Grace! I knew she’d ruin everything. She must’ve seen right through us. That’s why she’s stopping her daughter from marrying in. That woman… I know exactly what kind of snake she is.”