Mitche

She darted forward, throwing her arms around Esme in a tight embrace. Tears cascaded down her cheeks

d his resolve weakening under Sylvia's poignant display. Renee, observing

otect you," Esme assured the young

nterjected, his expression tense with concern. Ar

turned a blind eye before, but now, with Sylvia carrying your child-a new member of the Mitchell family o

ll, Sylvia's eyes dropped, her joy of coming mo

his face unreadable. "I can handle this, Mom," h

hes out at Sylvia and doing nothing?" Esme countered sharply,

sed Esme. "I'm your daughter-in-law, William's one and only legal wife. No mat

nse sharp and clipped. "

illiam initially, but over the years, both I and my family have shouldered immense burdens to prop up your family's stature. And n

eyes flashed with contempt. "To even mention

William interjected, h

ot how a sophisticated heiress should behave. She lacks the basic decorum expected of her status. I've always said it-Renee

h with scorn and amusement. "Indeed, a home-wrecker must be so sop

was the one who had come b

, due to their precarious position, could not offer direct help. It was then that

invisible. Renee, ever the hopeful pursuer, tirelessly chased after his fleeting attention. Iro

tter rivalry that festered over the years. Thus, when William asked for

waver. But to her shock, he consented immediately, his compliance cutting h

side, had been a constant source of a

eality by a sharp slap. Her head whipped around, eyes blazing wi

mly. "Renee, don't think you can torment her

t?" William interjected, stepping

he scoffed, her laughter tinged with bitterness, "Oh,

d, her fingers entwined in Sylvia's hair as sh

ver hesitated to settle scores right then and

girl trample over the dignity of the Carter f

Raised with strict discipline, Esme was the polar opposite of Renee. And there was Sylvia, who had alw

st going to let her go on a rampage like that?" Esme's voic

d a silent observer. With his skills, he could have inte

remain passive when

n of a strong arm encircling her waist. In an instant, she

would a sack of potatoes, carried her away. His voi

. I won't say it again," he stated decisively,