“That’s not fair, Mom! Your child is me, not Winter. Why are you threatening to break my legs just because I said a few things about her?” Zach protested.

Phoebe responded firmly, “Because she’s the daughter-in-law I’ve chosen, and no one can bully her, not even you.”

Zach’s nose and eyes started to sting. Daughter-in-law.

He turned his back, crossing his arms and muttering, “Her taste is impeccable. She’s not even interested in these things… And she wasn’t interested in your son, either!”

“That’s true.” Phoebe nodded. “Winter does have high standards, but she has every right to pursue the best. You, on the other hand, just lie around like a snake with a full belly, not caring whether you’re alive or dead.”

Zach whipped around, shouting in frustration, “I’m your son! Your own flesh and blood!”

“I know that,” Phoebe said, unfazed, “you don’t need to shout to break my heart.”

He was tongue-tied, staring at her with a frown.

“I’m leaving the jewelry here, so make sure to get it to Winter as soon as you can. Do you understand?” Zach remained silent, refusing to respond.

Phoebe wasn’t having it and reached out, pinching his ear, “Did you hear me?”

“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts! Yes, I heard you! I heard you!”

“And one more thing, I’ve arranged a little tea gathering next weekend. Bring Winter with you. I want to introduce her to my friends.”

“Uh… do you have to? It’s unnecessary.” Zach’s expression flickered with panic. They had already ended their agreement, and he’d even blocked her contacts. How on earth was he supposed to bring her? It’d be easier to tell him to drop dead.

Phoebe’s face darkened. “Unnecessary? I said bring her, so just do it. No more excuses.”

She glanced at her watch. “Alright, I have a shopping appointment, so I’ll be off. Remember to call Winter later.”

Zach sighed deeply in defeat. “Fine…”

Satisfied, Phoebe finally left.

Now alone, Zach felt his head spinning.

Meanwhile, on Winter’s side, life carried on as usual. She went to work, relaxed when she could, and occasionally hit the bar or played tennis. Her days remained mostly unchanged.

Except for one thing…

Natalie, her mother, had brought up an issue. “Winter, you and that Zach kid have been together for a while now. I’ve met him, but when are you going to bring him home to officially meet the family?”

Winter instinctively pulled her phone away. “Sorry, Mom? What did you say? The signal is bad on my end. Let me call you back later…”

With that, she ended the call smoothly and without hesitation. Then, she stared at the cocktail in front of her, lost in thought.

Her mother seemed unusually keen on formally introducing Zach to the family, which meant she was more than satisfied with him.

It was too bad that they had already broken up.

Winter was now worried about what kind of “partner” she should present next to silence Natalie. Her first one had set quite a high standard, so it would be hard to find someone suitable to meet her mother’s expectations.

She sighed. This was quite a headache. If only she’d controlled herself that night. She wouldn’t have lost such a good partner.

Miranda had no idea about anything going on between Winter and Zach.

Christine, who had returned from an academic conference in Ausward, quickly received another invitation to a seminar in Moonville. She had only been home for two days before heading off again—this time with Miranda.

They were away for five days, and when Miranda returned, she rushed straight to the lab without even unpacking her suitcase.

But when she arrived, the lab door was shut, and Madison and Sebastian were sitting outside like two lost souls.