Chapter 264 But Why?

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Lydia arrived at the Aniston Villa bright and early.

She bustled about, distributing gifts to various members of the Aniston family and getting everything ready for the evening’s Christmas Eve dinner.

Lydia was determined to make a good impression and went out of her way to win the Anistons’ favor.

Cameron accepted the gifts with a wide smile, clearly impressed by Lydia’s generous gesture.

She laughed and said, “Charlotte, you’ve really got your son a wonderful wife. Lydia is so considerate—coming here early in the morning, helping the servants with all the preparations, and even bringing gifts for everyone.”

Charlotte’s face fell at these words.

What kind of family was the Aniston family? As Dalton’s wife, why should Lydia need to lift a finger? With a single word, she could have an army of servants at her beck and call.

After all, Dalton was the eldest grandson of the Aniston family. With a status like that, and yet his wife was practically a servant?

“She’s dragging the family name through the mud!” Charlotte thought. “She’s indeed a bastard. Even Dalton’s standing is being diminished because of her.”

When Cameron unwrapped the gift to reveal a full set of custom-made jewelry, Charlotte’s face darkened even more.

“Jacob is Dylan’s illegitimate son, so why would she give them something so valuable? Do they deserve it? Does Lydia have so much money that she doesn’t know what to do with it? The Anistons may be wealthy, but money doesn’t just grow on trees!”

Charlotte glared at Lydia. “Get over here!”

Once they were in the room, Charlotte started berating her without holding back, “How much spending money does Dalton give you every month?”

Lydia froze for a moment but quickly understood. “I paid for the gift with my own money, as a way to honor my elders. I didn’t use a single cent from Dalton.”

Charlotte’s expression turned cold and stern. “What do you mean by that? Are you implying that the Aniston family has been stingy with you? Are you trying to say that Dalton is tight-fisted?”

Lydia bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes, feeling deeply wronged. “I didn’t mean that…”

Charlotte had always been critical of her. Every time Lydia came to the Aniston Villa, she was treated like an outsider, never receiving a kind word from Charlotte.

And yet… Charlotte was as unyielding as ever, like an expert at detecting hidden motives.

“Don’t play innocent with me,” Charlotte snorted. “I’m a woman too, and I’ve seen all these little tricks when I was younger.

“Crying at the drop of a hat. Do you really think I’m as easily fooled as Dalton? Lydia, don’t think that just because you’ve married into the Aniston family, everything will be smooth sailing.

“My son is the heir to the Aniston family. With your background, you’re not even worthy to shine his shoes. You should be grateful that you even got to marry Dalton!”

Charlotte’s harsh words left Lydia feeling completely helpless, unsure whether to cry or stay silent.

The saying “no good deed goes unpunished” had never felt more real to her than in this moment.

She felt utterly wronged. She was just trying to get gifts for the Anistons, and somehow, she’d ended up upsetting her husband’s mom.

The pressure on Lydia had been building lately, especially since Dalton had brought up the idea of divorce.

How long had they even been married? How had things gone south so fast?

Through her tears, she begged Dalton not to leave her. She promised to change, to do whatever it took to make things right.

Lydia was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

She’d never felt so humiliated in her entire life.

Maybe it was because she looked so devastated that day, but Dalton didn’t say another word. He just turned and walked away in silence.