Ethan Young was stubborn by nature.

He always dug deep into unreasonable matters.

He was like that with her before.

And now with Isabella Ashcroft.

Evelyn Ross's lips curved slightly.

Revealing the truth was fine.

It saved Isabella from truly believing she was a hero.

She had just put away her phone.

She heard Isabella's deliberately considerate voice. "Auntie, Evelyn didn't mean to ignore you. She's always been like this. Please don't take it to heart…"

Evelyn raised a brow and glanced sideways.

Only then did she notice Margaret Evans's gloomy expression.

Margaret pursed her lips. "Miss Ross, didn't your mother teach you guest etiquette? How can you pretend not to hear when an elder speaks?"

Alexander Vance sat opposite.

He looked up at her words.

His gaze turned icy.

He was about to speak.

But he saw the radiant woman lazily lift her eyes. "What did you say just now?"

Margaret sneered. "I said let Isabella sit next to the matriarch. She has many things to share with her. You surely don't mind, right?"

Evelyn shook her head.

Margaret thought she agreed.

She was about to continue speaking.

But she heard Evelyn say slowly, "Sorry, I do mind."

Margaret was stunned. "You!"

Evelyn spread her hands. "I have no upbringing. Of course I don't understand manners."

Margaret was speechless.

High society valued face above all.

Why didn't Evelyn play by the rules?

Evelyn meticulously arranged her cutlery.

Isabella spoke softly. "Auntie, please don't blame Evelyn. It's all my fault. Her mother's status was… special. She didn't teach her properly growing up. I'm her sister, and I didn't fulfill my responsibility either…"

Margaret scoffed. "What does that have to do with you? A love child just can't measure up!"

Alexander suddenly looked at her.

His gaze was cold. "Is that how a proper lady speaks, sister-in-law? Insulting a guest to their face—is that the Liu family's upbringing?"

Margaret choked.

She looked at Robert Vance pleadingly. "Dad…"

The over-sixty Robert slammed the table. "Alexander! How are you speaking to your sister-in-law?"

Alexander's expression was indifferent.

He remained silent.

The nearly eighty-five-year-old Eleanor Vance slapped the table with both hands. "Enough! Are you here to eat or to cause trouble? My granddaughter-in-law is my grandson's wife! She is the lady of this house! Show some respect!"

Everyone was stunned.

They all looked at Evelyn. "Granddaughter-in-law?"

Isabella hurried to explain. "Great-Grandma has mistaken Evelyn for Mr. Vance's wife…"

Everyone understood.

Margaret said sarcastically, "I see. No wonder she's so nice to an outsider. But some people should have self-awareness and know their place… Alexander, are you just letting the matriarch mistake her? What will you say when your wife returns?"

Alexander glanced at Evelyn.

He said calmly, "She won't mind."

Margaret wanted to say more.

Eleanor looked directly at her. "I see you didn't come here to eat. Out with it. What's your purpose? Say it and leave. Don't ruin my and my granddaughter-in-law's meal!"

Margaret smiled awkwardly.

She looked at Richard Evans.

The forty-two-year-old Richard coughed. "Grandma, Isabella is a top graduate from Stanford. She's outstanding. And now she's famous online. You don't know—the whole internet is praising the Vance family's upright values. How we value character in choosing wives. Isabella's help in solving the case has spread everywhere. Such an exceptional future granddaughter-in-law deserves a reward, doesn't she?"

Eleanor frowned. "Then you give it to her!"

Richard's mouth twitched.

He looked at Margaret.

Margaret had to take over. "Grandma, we've given our share. Shouldn't you show something too?"

Eleanor was puzzled. "What should I show?"

"When Alexander got married, you gave his wife three percent of the shares. Now it's Isabella's turn. Didn't you say last time you'd give two percent?"

Eleanor took a deep breath.

She glanced at Isabella. "I'm not giving it."

Margaret was stunned. "Why not?"

Eleanor stated bluntly, "I don't like her."

Isabella bit her lip.

She lowered her head to hide the hatred in her eyes.

You old hag!

She said pitifully, "Great-Grandma, I know I was wrong before. But I've changed… How can I establish myself in the Vance family if you're like this?"

She lowered her head to wipe her tears.

Julian Evans frowned. "Great-Grandma, you…"

Before he could finish.

Alexander shot him a cold look.

He immediately shut up.

Margaret persisted regardless. "Grandma, you can't be so biased! You've always favored Alexander since he was young. We tolerated it because he was the youngest. But now? Wives are outsiders by marriage. And you're still biased? Do you have something against our branch?"

She tearfully looked at Robert. "Dad, I didn't get any shares when I married in. Alexander set the precedent. It was agreed back then that Julian would get two percent when he married. Now Isabella is so outstanding. Rewarding her with shares would be such a proud thing to announce! Why is Grandma so biased? Do we, the main branch, have any status in this family? Or is only Alexander Grandma's grandson? Aren't we part of the family?"

Robert looked at Eleanor. "Mom, as the head of the family, you can't be so biased! Before, you said you didn't like Isabella and wouldn't give shares. Fine. But now Isabella is so outstanding. The whole internet is praising her. As the matriarch, not giving a reward is unreasonable! Even for the sake of the family's reputation, you should give some reward!"

Isabella immediately went to Eleanor. "Great-Grandma, I truly know I was wrong. If you're still angry, punish me… I'll do anything as long as you forgive me! Should I go kneel in the family shrine again?"

Margaret quickly said, "You're a hero in the public's eyes now. If word gets out that you're kneeling in the shrine, what will people think of the Vance family? Is this how we treat a hero recognized by the police and society? What if the media twists the story? Grandma, can't you think of the family's reputation?"

As everyone surrounded Eleanor.

Evelyn's phone buzzed again.

She looked down to check.

Ethan had sent a Twitter link. #Isabella A. Never Provided Evidence, Deceived the Entire Internet!#