Chapter 393

The sudden burst of laughter didn't come from Evelyn or Nathaniel. It was Theodore who couldn't contain himself any longer. Despite his years of service, he'd never encountered such an ordinary-looking woman with such outrageous confidence.

What a spectacle!

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Theodore composed himself. "My apologies, sir. I'll check if dinner is ready for you and Mrs. Grayson."

With that, he made a dignified exit.

Nathaniel's icy gaze settled on Cassandra. "Tell me, in what possible way could you compare to my wife? Your personality? Intelligence? Appearance? Can you even measure up to a single strand of her hair?"

His words struck Cassandra's pride like a slap. While she begrudgingly acknowledged Evelyn's beauty, she considered herself attractive enough to be a rising star in the entertainment industry.

'How dare Nathaniel dismiss me like this! Evelyn dresses like a peasant - what's so special about her?'

Victoria couldn't bear seeing her daughter humiliated. She stepped forward accusingly. "Why deny it now? You sent people to our home with the dowry, announcing your intention to marry our daughter! We prepared a grand banquet because of you!"

Her voice trembled with indignation. "Then you never showed, making our family the laughingstock of all our relatives! You owe us an explanation!"

Nathaniel's dark eyes lifted to meet the woman who dared call herself his 'mother-in-law'. "The Whitmores have more than one daughter. Did it never occur to you that dowry was meant for the youngest from the beginning?"

Victoria froze. When people mentioned 'the Whitmore daughter', she'd automatically assumed they meant Cassandra - her biological child. The thought it could be that country bumpkin Evelyn never crossed her mind.

Nathaniel's arm tightened around Evelyn's shoulders. With deliberate tenderness, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You should understand - the only reason you're standing in this house is because you're related to my wife. Continue treating her poorly, and you'll lose even that privilege. She's better off without such a family."

His voice turned sharp as he called out, "Theodore! Escort them out."

The butler reappeared immediately, signaling several staff members to assist.

Panic flashed across Victoria's face. "Mr. Grayson, there's been a misunderstanding! Let's discuss this calmly-"

But the Grayson staff had endured the Whitmores' behavior all day. With their employer's clear instruction, they wasted no time in removing the unwanted guests.

As the servants dragged them away, Cassandra finally found her voice. "She tricked you, Nathaniel! I'm your real bride! Me! Not her!"

Gregory seized the moment to break free, scrambling back toward Nathaniel. All pretenses of dignity gone, he forced an ingratiating smile. "Mr. Grayson, whichever daughter you married, I'm still your father-in-law! That fact won't change!"