Benson was shaking with rage. He glared at August's retreating figure, gnashing his teeth.

"Outrageous! This is too much!"

"Benson, calm down," Pauline said, patting his back comfortingly.

Benson's breathing was labored. "Gwenda definitely has someone in the Reed family supporting her; otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to fall out with me!"

"Alright, calm down. Don't speak so loudly. It wouldn't look good if someone saw us." Pauline lowered her voice. "Gwenda is just confused. I'm sure she'll figure things out in a few days."

"Does she look like she will?"

"Well, there's nothing you can do, is there? You can't make a scene in front of the madam."

Benson's face fell. He muttered, "What bad luck."

Meanwhile, in a remote corner of the hall, August approached Gwenda. "You alright?"

"What could happen to me?" Gwenda grinned. "He wouldn't dare hit me in front of so many people—Grandma wouldn't let him get away with it!"

August snorted. "Honestly, you just know how to act tough. You haven't got the brains. Do you even know what people are saying about you?" He rolled his eyes.

Gwenda shrugged. "They can say whatever they like. Even if I wasn't acting tough, they'd still talk. It's better to be hostile than pretend."

"Sure, you're the most reasonable one here," August said, leaning lazily against the wall. "I'm warning you. Grandmother will be there later. Bear it; don't ruin it for her."

"I know. Man, you're long-winded."

"Huh? You brat, you dare call me a nuisance?" August lightly smacked her head.

Gwenda clutched her forehead, glaring. "It hurts!"

"That's good. Maybe it'll wake you up."

"How dare you scold me! You're the one whose brain is submerged in water"

The cousins bickered playfully. Soon, the feast began. Suzanne sat down, and Gwenda was seated beside her.

When the other guests saw this, they were surprised.

"I don't know how Gwenda managed to please Suzanne enough to sit beside her. It's quite rare."

"Gwenda's overbearing attitude is likely Suzanne's doing. How could she be so impudent without someone backing her?"

"You're right, Suzanne seems complicit."

The guests whispered amongst themselves. Fortunately, Suzanne didn't hear. The feast proceeded. At the dining table, Suzanne's attention to Gwenda attracted notice.

Someone said, smiling, "Madam, you're very good to Gwenda. It's almost like treating her as a child!"

"She's my only granddaughter. If I don't treat her well, who will?" Suzanne smiled, holding Gwenda's hand. Gwenda smiled back.

"However, there should be limits to showing affection, yes? Overdoing it can become coddling."

Suzanne's face turned cold. She looked at the food and asked flatly, "Are tonight's dishes not to your taste?"

"Uh, no?" Macie replied. "Mother, do you think it's not delicious?"

"No, but some people seem to find it unpalatable. Otherwise, how else could they be talking about other people's business?"

The commenter blushed and looked down. Gwenda patted Suzanne's back. "Grandma, it's your big day. Let's not talk about anything else. I'd like to propose a toast to you. I wish you all the best."

"Oh, you clever thing, such sweet words!" Suzanne chuckled, taking a sip of wine.

Gwenda's intervention improved the atmosphere. No one dared trouble her further. The feast ended after about an hour. Gwenda, using the excuse of having drunk too much, slipped away to a secluded corner of the garden.

She hadn't been sitting long when she heard children quarreling

"I want what you have! Hand it over, or I'll beat you up!"