Joanna had missed her shot at redemption, a human resources...

Deborah, a true aristocrat, exuded a natural pride. She didn't even glance at me, let alone someone like a second wife or adopted daughter. They simply didn't matter to her.

Regarding Joanna, Deborah said icily, "You say Hayden talks about me a lot? What's your relationship with him?"

Joanna stammered, struggling to speak.

Seeing her flounder, I interjected, "Grandma, this is Joanna."

Deborah, having heard of Joanna as Hayden's kept woman, her eyes clouded at the name.

"Well, with the home wrecker at your door, you're still acting weak! Where's the backbone of a lady of the house?!" Deborah lashed out at me. My face froze; I managed an awkward grin. "Grandma, she is, after all, Hayden's..."

I was about to call her Hayden's sweetheart, but Deborah cut me off with a dismissive wave. "Get these annoying pests out of my sight! They're grating on my nerves! How am I supposed to sleep?" I was taken aback by her bluntness.

Sophia and Joanna were shocked. "Pests! Mrs. Parker, that's going too far! I am Yosef's wife!" Sophia exclaimed.

Before she finished, a bodyguard intervened. "Ma'am, this way, please."

"Something! We're your family! You can't treat us like this!"

Joanna looked flustered, her eyes darting around. "Mom, what do we do?" Sophia, her fierceness replaced by desperation, turned to me. "Yvonne, say..." I raised an eyebrow at her rapid change in attitude, but remained silent as they were escorted out.

With Deborah handling those two, I kept quiet.

Soon, peace returned. Deborah glanced at Rita and coldly ordered, "The guards at the door are clueless. Fire them all. How dare they let just anyone into my home!"

Rita hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Mrs. Parker."

I hadn't spent much time with Deborah, knowing only her noble background and aloof nature, especially around me. She'd never been friendly. I never knew she could be so decisive and tough.

After Rita left, I helped Deborah to the sofa.

"Did you understand what I said?" she asked suddenly.

I blinked. "Grandma, which part?"

"As Hayden's wife, you need backbone. Your cowardice lets these women grow bolder." Deborah spoke with passion, genuine concern in her eyes.

I was surprised she, who rarely showed me kindness, would defend me.

I lowered my eyes, speaking indifferently. "Grandma, Hayden likes her. No matter how assertive I am, it's useless." I couldn't bear to compete with another woman.

"Liking? I can't stand women like her. Hayden has better taste than that; it's just a passing fancy!" Deborah declared.

I offered a bitter smile. Hayden and Deborah shared one trait—they disliked me.

"Grandma," I began to explain, but Deborah grabbed my hand. Her touch was warm, mesmerizing.

Lost in thought, I heard Deborah say earnestly, "Yvonne, married to Hayden, you must stand your ground, protect your marriage. Don't yield before the battle begins!"

She continued, "When I married Hayden's grandfather, we had our share of struggles. Had I given up, I wouldn't be here."

It was the first time Deborah mentioned her past. "Grandma, could you endure it?" I asked curiously.

"Marriage is daily life, not a fairy tale. If love isn't the focus, it's the same with anyone," Deborah said, patting my hand. Her eyes held a distant wisdom.

She had a point; without love, there wasn't much to fuss over.

Seeing my silence, Deborah continued, "You're a good kid, but you love Hayden too much. Love yourself more, and life will improve."

Deborah saw through everything. She didn't look down on my family; she saw my folly, mirroring her own past.

I listened, tears stinging my eyes. For years, I'd focused solely on Hayden, neglecting myself and my family.

Everyone saw me as foolish, but Deborah's words hit home. I sat speechless.

Deborah didn't press, gently stroking my hair. "You're far more stunning than Joanna. What have you to fear? Show them how a classy lady behaves."

Her words made me laugh. "Grandma, how could you..."

"What are you scared of? You only get one life; when it's your time to shine, seize it!" Deborah advised firmly.

I'd never seen this side of her; it caught me off guard, warming my heart. After my grandpa and mother died, nobody had given me such advice.

Hayden entered, finding us laughing. He stood shocked, unused to Deborah's friendliness, especially with me.

"Grandma," Hayden said, looking around, likely searching for someone. I guessed his early arrival was due to Joanna's presence; he usually arrived much later.

"Don't 'Grandma' me," Deborah said, her smile vanishing as she turned to Hayden with a frosty look.

I couldn't believe her sudden change. Hayden, puzzled, asked, "What happened?"