"Mom, what are you saying?"

The moment Cassandra Campbell said those words, Yvette Larson's face soured.

​​

Even Clarine Landon stepped forward to lecture her mom. It was true that she shouldn't have said that.

"What, can't I teach her something as an elder? Besides, you should always watch the company you keep! I don't mind you being friends with Yvette Larson, but I'm really afraid that this piece of trash will ruin you, my precious daughter."

Yvette Larson was fuming. In comparison to Finn Taylor—who was the subject of humiliation—she was much more furious than he was.

"Auntie Cassandra, I'm leaving right now if that's what you really think. I won't allow anyone to bully my husband." With that, she picked up her spouse's hand and walked toward the exit.

However, she was stopped by her best friend. "Yvette, don't leave. It's my birthday today; stay on my account."

Yvette Larson stopped in her tracks and looked at her best friend.

"Mom, why did you have to say such hurtful words?"

Cassandra Campbell sneered. "Hurtful? Fine, I'll be straightforward. Yvette Larson, I went to visit the Sanders family yesterday and told them all about you and this piece of trash. Over the past three years, you were sensible and never let this piece of trash so much as touch you. Joshua Sanders values relationships. He still remembers the promise you made with him when you guys were young. Even though you're married, he's still willing to accept you as long as you get a divorce."

"Yvette Larson, I'm not the one forcing you; it's the Sanders family. You have two choices now. Firstly, you can chase this piece of trash away and sever all ties with him. Then, you'll become Joshua Sanders's mistress and prosper. In that case, the Landon family will remain good friends with you."

"Secondly, you can choose not to listen to my advice and stay with this piece of trash. You'll anger the Sanders family, and the Larson family won't be able to take the blow. Then, your family will fall into ruin. The fate of the whole Larson family lies in your hands. Of course, the Landon family will sever all ties with you to protect ourselves."

Every word that came out of Cassandra Campbell's mouth was a stab to the heart.

She had always shared a good relationship with Yvette Larson, but there was a reason for her sudden change in attitude.

She was now laying the facts bare before Yvette Larson. It all depended on Yvette Larson's choice.

In that instant, everyone's gazes landed on Yvette Larson. They were all waiting for her answer—an answer that seemed predetermined.

"I'd rather die a martyr than live a shameful life." Yvette Larson spat those words out confidently; then, she strode toward the exit with her fingers interlocked with her husband's.

Clarine Landon glared at her mother menacingly before chasing after them.

"Clarine Landon, if you dare to leave now, you'd better not come back." Cassandra Campbell scoffed. 'I had only spilled the truth and told Yvette Larson everything because I thought highly of her. But now that Yvette Larson would rather go all out, I have decided to sever all ties with the Larson family.'

Deciding to go against her mother's words, Clarine Landon ran out resolutely.

Her mother's worldview was warped; all she valued was power. However, Clarine Landon wasn't like her mother.

"Yvette, I…" Clarine finally caught up with her best friend and her best friend's husband at the hotel's entrance.

"Why did you come out?"

"I was afraid you'd disown me as your best friend!"

"You silly girl, who else do I have but you? You'd better go back in. There are still other guests there. People might think that I did something to the birthday girl."

…

Seeing her daughter rush out, Cassandra Campbell slammed her fist down on the table in fury.

"What was the point in doing that? You and I both know just how close Clarine is to Yvette. Don't you think your daughter will hate you for her whole life if you force her to cut all ties with Yvette?"

"Hate? She should be grateful to me."

"Grateful?"

"Yes, grateful. The Larson family has already committed a huge crime by offending the Sanders family. It's just a matter of time before their entire family crumbles. Do you really think I'm only getting her to cut her ties with Yvette Larson? I'm using her to cut all ties between the Larson family and the Landon family."

"Joshua Sanders is back, and I'm afraid that the Sanders family is going to rise up again. The Larson family's Old Master is already dead. Do you think the Larson family is any match for the Sanders family now?"

Kenneth Landon put on a bitter smile. "Oh, I'm finally seeing your true colors. Do you intend for our Landon family to become the Sanders family's dogs again?"

"Dogs? Do you have to make it sound so nasty? You're clearer than I am about just how powerful the Sanders family is. If they give us just the slightest push, we'll be prosperous for sure."

"I don't care if you want to prosper, but do you really think you'll be able to sleep at night after using such methods? You're really a vicious woman. How could you even sell out your own daughter?"

"You're right about that. It's true that Joshua Sanders likes Yvette Larson, but she won't accept him. Who will he turn to next to relieve that itch in his heart?"

"Y-you want to send my daughter into Joshua Sanders's bed?" Kenneth Landon had to resist the urge to punch Cassandra Campbell.

"What do you mean 'your daughter?' Isn't she my daughter too? Forget it; I don't want to waste my breath on you. It's my bad fortune for having married such a dumb man."

…

In the end, Clarine Landon returned reluctantly. After all, there were too many guests at this party.

She couldn't possibly leave without a word and offend everyone there.

"Why didn't you stay? I could've left; I'm used to it." Finn Taylor was slightly unused to his wife treating him so well.

Hearing that he was already used to it, Yvette Larson felt a sour twinge in her heart. 'It's true that my husband has experienced such incidents too many times. Every single time, I stayed while others chased my husband away as though he was a jinx.'

Humans weren't robots without emotions.

Yvette Larson knew that her spouse had to feel uneasy about it.

Nonetheless, he had always chosen to leave silently without any complaints in view of the bigger picture.

But Yvette Larson wasn't going to give in this time. The only reason was that it was Clarine Landon's birthday party.

She didn't think that her husband would ever try to snatch her husband away, but Clarine Landon's infatuation with that violinist had served as a reminder to Yvette Larson that her husband had never been an unlikable piece of trash. It was just that he had never expressed his emotions or thoughts.

"Come on. Let's go home."

As they were chatting, seven to eight cars drove up to them. There were race cars of all models.

The doors opened, and dozens of young men wielding baseball bats got out of the cars.

Finn Taylor could tell that these young men had malicious intentions.

Fearful, Yvette Larson ducked behind her husband.