A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Walter Sterling slammed his cane hard on the ground and roared, "You, shut your mouth! Is this how you normally teach Maple? You fancy yourself a well-bred lady, but this is the kind of high-society daughter you’ve raised? Where are her morals? Have they gone to the dogs?"

Having been called out, Jasmine Faulkner was naturally defiant. "Dad, what Maple said may have sounded harsh, but it’s the truth! If Seraphina Sterling isn’t ashamed of doing something like that, why shouldn’t Maple be allowed to talk about it? Besides, I see nothing wrong with my parenting! At the very least, Maple knows the importance of self-respect! She knows her place and how to act so she doesn’t bring shame upon the Sterling Family!"

Every word Jasmine Faulkner uttered was a direct attack on Kimberly Jennings and Seraphina Sterling. She simply couldn’t stand the mother-daughter pair! The Sterling Family only needed one mistress of the house, and that was her! There was no need for anyone else.

"Maybe my parenting doesn’t meet your standards, Dad! But it’s certainly better than how a daughter from some low-class, insignificant family would be raised! Getting a room with two men at the same time! Even a girl from an ordinary family wouldn’t do something like that. Only those ’princesses’ who sell their bodies would be so wanton!"

Kimberly Jennings couldn’t listen anymore. Just as she was about to speak, the sound of applause echoed in the living room. Seraphina Sterling appeared holding a tea tray, with Zion Hale and Wyatt Gallagher following behind her. Clearly, the trio had arrived home before Faye Sterling and her family. From the looks of it, they were just about to make tea! They had heard the entire conversation but had chosen not to come out. Finally, it was Zion Hale who couldn’t hold back any longer, stepping forward as he clapped.

"That speech just now from Madam Sterling really does the Sterling Family proud! I’m just so confused. How did Wyatt Gallagher and I escorting my sister home get twisted into us ’getting a room’ together in your mind?" Zion’s words stunned everyone in the living room; they had no idea anyone else was there!

"That’s where you’re mistaken, Zion Hale. You’re still young!" Wyatt Gallagher said, his face still holding a gentle smile that concealed endless mockery. "Haven’t you ever heard the saying? People with filthy minds always project what they themselves would do onto others. They use their own dirty thoughts to judge everyone!"

"Ohhh—I get it now," Zion replied, his anger vanishing after Wyatt’s comment. "It must be because Madam Sterling has done this sort of thing so many times herself that she naturally thinks of our relationship that way!" As he spoke, he didn’t forget to cast a pitying glance at Owen Sterling, as if the man had actually been cuckolded.

"What is this nonsense you’re spouting? I am the eldest daughter of the Faulkner Family! I received the finest education and have impeccable manners. How could I possibly have done such a thing!" Jasmine Faulkner was furious at being mocked by these juniors.

"Sister-in-law," Kimberly Jennings’s soft voice cut in at the perfect moment. "Every other word out of your mouth is ’the Faulkner Family’ or ’Miss Faulkner.’ Are you dissatisfied with the Sterling Family, with your husband, with Dad?"

"Kimberly Jennings, what nonsense are you talking about? Don’t you stand there trying to sow discord! When have I ever been dissatisfied with the Sterling Family, with Owen, or with Dad?" Jasmine Faulkner was already furious from Zion Hale’s and Wyatt Gallagher’s words, and now Kimberly Jennings had just poured a barrel of gasoline on her fire. She was about to go insane with rage.

"Then you had better remember this," Kimberly Jennings said, her tone suddenly heavy. "You are now Madam Sterling! You are Dad’s daughter-in-law! Stop going on and on about the Faulkners! You are a member of the Sterling family now! Your every action represents the Sterling Family! If you make one misstep, it is the Sterling Family’s reputation you will tarnish, not the Faulkners’!" She spoke slowly, word by word, and each one struck home with powerful force in the hearts of everyone present.