Chapter 362: The Dutiful Mistress (+5 Pearls)

They had to admit that women marrying beneath their social standing experienced significantly higher rates of unhappy marriages than those in compatible unions. Therefore, Adam's unique situation couldn't serve as a precedent.

Caitlin and Adam were furious upon hearing Sarah's account. Had Bennett still been alive, they would have confronted him for deceiving their daughter for years, even intending to use Sarah's hard-earned money to support his mistress and illegitimate child.

Adam, indignant, accused Terry and Vera: "Did you know about your son's infidelity and illegitimate child? Was it because you wanted a grandson? I suspected something was wrong from the start. Like father, like son!"

Caitlin added furiously, "The Quirk family's constant support of the Eatons is bad enough, but mistreating my daughter is crossing the line! You've overstepped your bounds!"

Their pretense vanished. Terry and Vera retorted, "So what? Your daughter is infertile. Why should the Eaton lineage end because she married into our family? She refuses to give us a grandchild, so we found our own solution. She owes Bennett, and we showed magnanimity by not letting him divorce her!"

They continued, "Your daughter also refused my son's final request, abandoning him in his death. She's heartless! But it doesn't matter; it's about my son's inheritance. Even if we don't get it all, we'll get the lion's share!"

Those shameless old geezers! (But they don't know Bennett is dead. Sarah and Nina are the only ones left to contest the inheritance with them.)

Alexander smiled, sensing Isabella's thoughts; she was right. David's family seemed to have realized Sarah's actions, but she remained silent to avoid alerting them, leading her loved ones away from that repugnant place. Bennett was nothing but ashes; he didn't deserve Sarah to manage his affairs.

The mistress and illegitimate children, learning they wouldn't inherit everything, were indignant but powerless. They appeased Terry and Vera, handling Bennett's affairs hoping for extra benefits. Sloane also intended to leverage the situation to establish herself and her children among the Eatons, simplifying the inheritance division later.

Chapter 362: The Dutiful Mistress (+5 Pearls)

The domineering elders and the upwardly mobile mistress seemed oblivious to the legal ramifications. Some Eatons recognized the problem, but given the repulsive greed for inheritance, no one warned them—though a warning would have been futile.

Bennett's funeral drew a large crowd. A prominent figure in Yrinas' business world, he naturally had many business associates in attendance. They were shocked by Sloane and the illegitimate children, unprepared for Bennett's audacity. The oldest illegitimate child was almost as old as his legitimate daughter. The mistress's behavior, acting as the mistress of the house, made them deeply uncomfortable. They were wary of offending the Quirks but attended anyway.

Inside, they witnessed Terry and Vera berating Sarah for neglecting her husband's funeral preparations, contrasting her with the "dutiful" mistress who handled everything. They also criticized Nina's lack of grief, highlighting the illegitimate children's supposed devotion.

The mistress and illegitimate children were portrayed as devoted and diligent, while Sarah and Nina were depicted as despicable. However, the businessmen were unconcerned; sympathy for a mistress and illegitimate children wouldn't benefit them. They wouldn't risk angering the Quirks.