May Sutton was beyond frustrated with her daughter. She really had no idea what was going through the girl's head.
First, she'd given up the engagement, then she'd ruined her plans, and now she was pleading on Cecilia Adler's behalf.
She couldn't help but say, "Vivian, you can't keep covering for Cecilia. If she gets married and still doesn't know any etiquette, her in-laws will say she has no manners."
Cecilia Adler had lost count of how many times she'd been slandered and questioned, and she couldn't take it anymore. Her face was flushed red, but her gaze was resolute. After a long moment, she retorted in a sharp, clear voice, "I know you can't stand the sight of me, but you have no right to lecture me with the words 'no manners.' And another thing—I saw how eager you were with Ian Quincy today. You think I'm not good enough for him, that Vivian is a better match. Just say it outright. Why beat around the bush?"
"Sister, what nonsense are you talking about?" Vivian Lee immediately tried to distance herself from Ian Quincy. "You're already engaged to him, which makes him my brother-in-law. If you drag me into this, how awful will the rumors be? And after I've been so good to you all this time, too! Isn't this just ungrateful?"
May Sutton flew into a rage out of sheer embarrassment. "You wretched girl! You always act like a quiet little white rabbit, but who knew you had such a sharp tongue. The nerve to turn this back on me! Old Lee, look at this child! Does she show even a shred of respect for her elders?"
Cecilia Adler gave Vivian Lee a long, deep look.
'How did my logical rebuttal to May Sutton turn into me being ungrateful?'
'Does this mean Vivian thinks I should just accept being told I have no manners by May Sutton?'
'So, was all of Vivian's kindness toward me just an act of hypocrisy?'
At this thought, she completely exploded. "You're the one turning things around! You say you feel sorry for me in public, but do you ever give me a pleasant look in private? Since the day I arrived, you've ordered me around like a maid. From morning till night, there's an endless pile of clothes to wash and chores to do. Your daughter's hands are fair and delicate. Do you want to see mine?" Cecilia Adler thrust her rough, calloused hands in front of May. "My life wasn't even this hard back in the village."
She then pointed at Lucas Lee. "Didn't you say you brought me here to live a good life? Or were you just using me to pave the way for your own future?"
Lucas Lee: "..."
"I'm going back to the village tomorrow! You can all do whatever you want!" Cecilia Adler stormed back to her room.
May Sutton stomped her foot, her eyes wide with panic. "Old Lee, look at the precious daughter you brought back from so far away!"
Of course, Lucas Lee couldn't let Cecilia Adler leave.
The marriage arrangement with the Quillan family was already set.
If the bride-to-be ran off, he would offend the Quillan family. Forget about his future; he wouldn't even have a fallback plan.
He hurried forward and knocked on Cecilia Adler's door. "Cecilia..."
Cecilia Adler had already packed her few belongings and opened the door to face Lucas Lee.
Lucas Lee seized the opportunity to snatch her bag. "You silly girl, you have such a temper. If you're unhappy about something, you can talk about it. What's with all this fuss?"
"Who's making a fuss? Give me back my things." Cecilia Adler tried to grab it back.
Lucas Lee pulled her into the room. "Cecilia, let's talk."
"We have nothing to talk about."
Vivian Lee was stunned for a long time. 'In my past life, Cecilia Adler and Felix Flynn were set up by Mom to be alone in a room together today, which ruined her reputation.'
'She came home and threw a huge tantrum, threatening to go back to the countryside.'
'Today, I kept speaking up for Cecilia, so why is she still making a scene?'
'Could it be that history can't be changed?'
At this thought, she began to panic.
Suppressing the panic in her heart, she tried to speak in a calm voice. "Mom, you shouldn't have said that to Sister." She had been overlooking one problem all this time: her mother's attitude toward Cecilia Adler.
Kind in front of others, harsh behind their backs.
Since Cecilia Adler had moved into this house three months ago, her mom hadn't done a single chore.
Perhaps the pressure put on Cecilia on a daily basis was just too much, which was what caused her to suddenly lash out.