Pauline waved her hand repeatedly. "I just want her to live well. I don't care if she hates me or blames me for anything," she said. Arely shook her head resignedly. "Honestly, I really don't know what Gwenda is thinking," she continued. "You're such an amazing stepmother—you might as well be her real mother! What else could she possibly want? She's so spoiled she's become an uppity fool. I think you should just pay more attention to Gretchen now, Pauline. She's your real daughter. Don't end up treating her like a stepdaughter; that's sad."

"I understand. I neglected her in the past, but I won't do it again," Pauline replied, nodding, looking properly admonished. Arely smiled with satisfaction.

They strolled for a while before taking a break at a coffee shop.

"By the way, I heard Gretchen and Martin are together," Arely asked casually, sipping her coffee.

Pauline nodded. "Yeah, that's precisely why Gwenda's angry."

"How can she be angry? She refused to cherish her own fiancé, but now she's trying to destroy other people's happiness?" Arely snorted.

"Well, Gwenda's always been a little bad-tempered. Forget Martin; she constantly talks back to me. I wonder if she still does that."

"She dares to talk back to you?" Arely was surprised.

Pauline forced a smile. "She didn't use to, but things are different now that they're estranged. Remember how she moved out? I tried to persuade her to come home, but she told me off."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much. She just felt I wasn't good enough for her and that I helped Gretchen steal Martin from her." Pauline's eyes reddened. "I don't usually care about these things, but hearing it from Gwendait hurt. I've done so much for her, suffered so much for her over the years—even neglecting Gretchen—but I didn't think she'd still complain"

Pauline's voice choked; she began to cry quietly.

Seeing this, Arely gnashed her teeth in anger. "That wicked girl! You've raised her all these years for nothing!"

"Everyone knows how good I am to her. Unfortunately, she just can't see it," Pauline wiped her eyes, forcing another smile. "Forget it. Let's not talk about this anymore."

"Pauline" Arely felt bad for her. "Don't be sad. If you can't teach that brat a lesson, I will help you. I refuse to believe I can't keep her in check as an adult!"

"Ah, just forget it"

"How can you say that! Don't worry, Pauline, I'll talk to her about this!" Arely said emphatically.

Pauline looked down, wiping away her remaining tears. A triumphant smile played on her face, hidden from Arely's view.

After Pauline's outpouring, Arely tracked down Gwenda's studio the next day and rushed in.

The moment she entered, she yelled, "Get Gwenda out here!"

The receptionist politely responded, "Ma'am, Miss Evans isn't in the studio right now. Is there an urgent matter?"

But Arely yelled aggressively, "Don't try to fool me! I don't care if she's here or not, she will see me! Otherwise, I will never leave!"