The next day, Harley and Thea got out of bed incredibly late.
Truth be told, both of them had awakened already, but neither of them had tried to wake each other, so they pretended to be asleep with their backs against each other.
It wasnât until they heard Cutie Pieâs cries that they sat up simultaneously and realized that both of them had actually woken up.
After looking at each other with embarrassment for a second, Thea went to hug Cutie Pie hastily.
âUm, hubby, we are going back to the Stewart family. Do you remember that?â
Harley replied, âOf course I do! How could I forget? Now that itâs almost time, letâs get ready!â
Thea nodded and said, âThen, Iâll prepare Cutie Pieâs milk first.â
So, they both got started with their own preparations. After Thea went out, Harley rubbed his forehead gloomily.
Well, it was inevitable that they have to go back to the Stewart family!
â¦
Meanwhile, Eudora, who was in Clearwater Bay, had a new plan.
After her plan of playing cards had been ruined due to Theaâs absence, Eudora decided to switch courses and head back to Granger Mansion.
Granger Mansion used to be where Amosâ father had lived. By right, Amos should have lived there as well after becoming the head of the family.
However, Eudora liked Clearwater Bay, so they had not moved there.
The mansion seemed desolate because no one was living there except the butler and the servants.
Fortunately, they had been taking care of the mansion and it was tidy as usual. The butler burst into tears as soon as he saw them.
âMr. and Mrs. Granger, ever since youâve not been here, the house has been lifeless. Why donât you stay here for a while this time?â
Before Eudora could say anything, the butler spoke again.
He insisted, âAfter all, you donât need to work during the New Yearâs holiday. You can just take this as a vacation!â
He had already made the arrangements. What else could Eudora say?
So, she nodded and asked someone to bring Gordon over to the mansion. The yard was big, therefore Gordon and the children had a good time playing in the new environment.
As for Eudora, she realized something as she remembered the location of the mansion.
âIt seems that the Stewart family is not far from here, right?â
Amos nodded and said, âYes, it seems so!â
âIâm wondering what will happen to Thea and Harley today.â
Amos looked at her helplessly and said, âAre you really that worried about them? Or are you looking for someone to play cards with you?â
Eudora was taken aback.
She had just learned how to play cards so she couldnât help but become addicted to it!
However, what she did not know was that in that current situation, Harley probably failed to be in the mood of playing cards at all!
The Stewart family was large and affluent. Although their wealth might be no match for the Granger family, they excelled in other aspects, especially in the number of family members they had!
The head of the Stewart family, Theaâs father, was a philanderer in love. His legitimate wife had given birth to one son and two daughters.
By adding Thea, his illegitimate daughter, into the equation, he had three daughters in total!
It just so happened that all of them had returned to the family today.
Both of his other daughters were married well. One of them to the son of a well off capitalist, and the other to the son of a businessman who owned numerous supermarket chains.
Theaâs sisters had always looked down on her, and now they even showed haughty contempt towards Thea.
Before Thea and Harley could enter the house, they blocked the couple at the entrance and ridiculed her.
âHey, Mina, am I going blind? Who am I seeing now? It canât be that our arrogant younger sister is here, is it?â
It was Freya Stewart, Theaâs second eldest sister, who had spoken.
Upon hearing that, her eldest sister, Mina, laughed, âFreya, youâre not mistaken. Our little sister really has come back! Itâs just that we havenât seen her in so many years. What is the purpose behind her return this time?â
Theaâs elder brother, Finn, who was following behind them, gave a snort and said, âWhat else could she be up to? Judging by her pathetic looks, she must be having a hard time out there and canât go on by myself anymore, hence she has come back to ask Dad for help!â
After that, their gazes all fell on Harley.
They were the reason why Harley was reluctant to visit the Stewart family. However, since he was already here, he couldnât just let them bully his wife.
With that thought in mind, Harley walked forwards and pulled Thea behind him.
âNice to meet you, Mina, Freya and Finn. Iâm Harley, Iâm very sorry that I havenât come to see you since I got married to Thea. Itâs our fault. So, this time Iâve brought Cutie Pie and Thea back to see you and Dad. It doesnât matter if you donât like me because I donât like you all either. We will leave as soon as possible after we meet Dad. Do as you wish.â
Due to his profession, Harley had this imposing vigor as he spoke, which slightly shocked Finn and the others.
After that, Harley first entered the house with Thea in tow!
Looking at their backs, Freya grew a little unhappy and snorted, âWhat a lofty attitude! Look at his lousy car. They must have come back to ask for money from Dad. I wonât let that happen!â
â¦
After entering the yard, Thea held Harleyâs hand apologetically.
âIâm sorry that youâve been scorned by them. Perhaps we shouldnât have come!â
Harley shook his head and said, âItâs okay. Weâve come back to visit your father and we donât have to care about other irrelevant people. As long as you and the children are healthy, I will be happy!â
Thea nodded and said, âLetâs go in!â
However, before she could finish her words, she heard a servantâs voice behind her.
âMiss Thea, you canât go in from here!â
Thea was perplexed and said, âWhy? Isnât this the main entrance?â
The servant felt a little awkward and said, âThis is indeed the main entrance. But⦠Miss Thea, please donât make things difficult for me. Youâd better go in from there!â
As Thea was still puzzled, Freya caught up to them.
She sneered, âDonât you understand? The main entrance is for us, the legitimate children of the Stewart family. Who do you think you are? Youâre just an illegitimate daughter! Letting you enter through the side door is already us giving you mercy!â
Thea gritted her teeth and said, âFreya, youâve asked the servants to do this, didnât you? Donât go too far!â
âIâm going too far? How have I gone too far? Arenât you really an illegitimate daughter?â
After Freya finished her sentences, she looked at Cutie Pie and continued to talk again, âOh, if I remember correctly, this child is also a b*stard, just like you, isnât he? Youâre so lucky to be able to find a stepfather for him. Dearest Thea, youâre living a happier life than your mother.â
Thea gnashed her teeth in fury and she slapped Freya before she could finish speaking.
Pa! A loud sound could be heard!
A heavy silence dawned in the yard. The servant was petrified and she looked at them with her eyes wide open with her hands over her mouth.
Miss Thea had hit Miss Freya!
In her memory, Miss Thea had always been bullied at home in the past. However, she had never dared to hit anyone! Unexpectedly, she had actually slapped someone this time?
Three seconds went by.
Freya screamed, âAh! You b*tch, how dare you hit me!â
As she said that, her long fingernails were about to scratch Theaâs body. However, as soon as she stretched out her arms, she was stopped by a pair of big hands.
Harley gripped her wrist hard and stared at her fiercely.
âUsually, I donât beat up women, but if someone intends to bully my wife, I wonât hold back any longer!â