Chapter 248

The atmosphere at the dining table instantly became very serious.

A mix of low pressure emanated from several people, a bit intimidating. The servants who were waiting on the side for instructions were scared and retreated.

Chris and his wife both looked up, glaring at Lianne.

Eder frowned and his face turned cold, his expression beneath the ghost mask particularly gloomy.

Lianne also felt a chill from this situation, but she arrogantly snorted, forcibly reclaiming her presence.

“Why are you all looking at me? Everything I said is the truth.”

She wanted to say it right in front of Eder, making him see that Laura was nothing but a dirty slut!

Mr. Smith was a little unhappy and coughed lightly twice. “We’re having a meal. Why are you bringing these things up? Shut up and eat your food!”

Lianne was still quite tactful, knowing that she had already achieved her goal of provoking a conversation.

The gaze of Chris and his wife, as well as Eder, turned to Grace who was sitting beside them.

She was quietly eating her meal, her face devoid of any extra expression, as if she hadn’t heard.

Lianne’s words just now.

This was not like her usual retaliatory personality.

Eder found it strange and tentatively picked up a mushroom, which she didn’t like, and put it in her bowl. “This one is nutritious, and the taste is actually not bad. You should eat more.”

Grace’s hand suddenly stopped. In front of everyone, she didn’t speak but just stared back at Eder.

Only Eder knew that this stare was a warning, indicating that she was clearly holding back her anger.

She had anger inside but didn’t release it, which was not her usual style.

Eder didn’t know what she was thinking, but he knew that if he let that mushroom, which she disliked the most, end up in her bowl, he might experience something when they returned home tonight.

So he consciously picked the mushroom back from her bowl and ate it himself.

Grace’s expression finally eased.

Mr. Smith noticed this scene, and his deep and turbid eyes narrowed slightly. It was Mr. Smithar what he was thinking.

The meal was not enjoyed pleasantly.

When Mr. Smith saw Eder drop his spoon.he smiled gently and asked, “Eder, do the dishes prepared by the Smith family’s chef suit your taste?”

“They’re fine. I’m already full. Mr. Smith, take your time.”

Mr. Smith also stopped eating. “Tve had enough as well, but I’m getting old, and my legs aren’t good. I want to go to the study and find a few books. Let them continue eating. Can you push me there?”

It was obvious that he wanted to have a private conversation with Edder.

“Okay.” Eder didn’t hesitate and got up, walking behind Mr. Smith to help push his wheelchair.

Once they left, Lianne continued speaking, “Grace, you’re really fortunate. Both of your marriages are second–hand goods, and yet Ederdoesn’t mind and is willing to marry you. You should be grateful to the Smith family’s influence… Ah!”

She had just finished speaking wher. Grace picked up the half–filled glass of juice from the table and accurately splashed it on her, across the long table. The juice splattered all over her, even on her hair.

She widened her eyes. “How dare you splash me?”

Grace coldly raised her eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I dare? Ederwas here just now, his first time having a meal at the Smith family. I tolerated you once, but who knew you would have no sense of propriety and take advantage.”

“This is the Smith family! I am your stepmother!”

Grace sneered. “Other than Daddy, who in this familyrecognizes your status? Don’t you have any self–

awareness? You always like to come out seeking attention, it seems you deeply realize how absurdly you were born and how pitifully you live.”

“You!”

Lianne’s face turned red with anger as she glanced at Chris and his wife. Both of them wore indifferent expressions, as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

Grace noticed Lianne’s gaze and mocked her, “What are you looking at? Do you expect them to speak up for you? They are my real brother and sister–in–law. It’s already a favor to me that they don’t hand me the knife to cut you, all thanks to our father’s face.”

Once Mr. Smith left, Lianne lost her support, feeling frustrated and on the verge of tears.

Grace wasn’t inclined to tolerate her pretentious behavior. She picked up the steak knife from the table and reached across the long table, pressing it against Lianne’s neck.

Lianne was frightened. “Grace! If you dare to hurt me, you won’t have a good life either!”

With so many people watching, Laura wanted to intervene and mediate, “Sister–in–law…”

Chris grabbed his wife’s hand, indicating for her to stay out of it. The couple remained silent, watching the drama unfold.

Lianne felt helpless, sensing the fork pressing against her skin, causing a slight sting. She didn’t dare to have.

Seeing her hesitation, Grace sneered, “Besides running your mouth and clinging to my father’s. coat–

tails, what else are you capable of Lianne was speechless.

“If you keep your tail tucked and stay low–key, I can let you enjoy the last wave of wealth and prosperity before I inherit the family business. But if you provoke me…

She paused, her eyes sharp and menacing, leaning closer to Lianne as she whispered, “I’ll have someone kidnap you in a few days and dump you in the deep mountains to feed the wild boaTS.”

Lianne’s eyes narrowed. “I dare you to try!”

“Oh, you can test me. I’ve always been rebellious. Do you think I’m incapable?”

Confronted with Grace’s intense and icy stare, Lianne fell into complete silence.

In the study, Eder assisted Mr. Smith in searching for books on the top shelf.

“Is it this one? Or that one?”

Mr. Smith adjusted his reading glasses and squinted. “The one in the middle.”

Eder retrieved it and handed it to him.

Mr. Smith’s aged hands gently caressed the book cover. He spoke calmly, “Initially, I agreed to your engagement with her because I appreciated your decisive nature in the business field. How have the two of you been getting along during your time together?”

Eder stood obediently, listening, but a trace of doubt emerged in his mind. It seemed like Mr. Smithwas no longer satisfied with him.

“Grace takes good care of me, and I’m grateful to her. Rest assured, Mr. Smith, she is the precious gem of the Lu family, and she’s also the one I want to cherish in my hands for the rest of my life. I will take good care of her.”

Although his words were sincere, Mr. Smith’s expression grew increasingly serious, even accompanied by a sigh.

“Mr. Smith?”

“It’s good that you think that way, but my daughter has been spoiled by me since childhood. She always wants to have the upper hand in everything she does, and she doesn’t hold back when speaking, even to her elders. Her nature makes her susceptible to losses, so I’m looking for a partner who can subdue her and teach her obedience.”

Eder tightly pressed his lips, refraining from an immediate response.

He couldn’t understand. Isn’t it every father’s wish for their son–in–law to adore and pamper their daughter? Mr. Smith actually wanted him to transform Grace into a submissive wife?

For twenty–three years, her fiery temperament couldn’t be contained. It was nearly impossible for him to suddenly take over and achieve that.

Mr. Smith continued, “Grace always listens to her eldest brother. Only he can rein her in. I hope you can learn from him in this regard.”

Did he want him to learn from Chris?

They were adversaries, and Chris had even sent people to kill him before. If it weren’t for Grace, they might have become enemies.

“Mr. Smith, actually… Grace listens to me when it comes in important matters.”

Mr. Smith saw through his attempt to conceal. “There’s no need to hide it. I’ve heard about your affairs.”

Eder was taken aback.

He had heard?

Were rumors spreading about him and Grace?

Mr. Smith stated, “I’m growing old, and I probably won’t be able to be with my children for many more years. If you can’t fulfill my wish, I will have to reconsider your engagement.”

Eder immediately assumed a determined stance, squatting down to meet Mr. Smith’s gaze from the wheelchair. “Mr. Smith, rest assured, I will properly guide Grace and make her an obedient and virtuous wife!”