Before Katelyn could speak, another voice sounded first. Carol made her entrance, clad in an elegant gown.

Despite nearing seventy, with her silver hair elegantly pulled back, she radiated a refined presence, her eyes still sharp with charisma.

Katelyn quickly approached Mrs. Wheeler, taking her hand in support.

“Carol,” she greeted warmly.

Any coolness in Carol’s voice dissolved into warmth as she affectionately patted Katelyn’s hand. “Good girl, I knew you would come.”

Lise, observing this warm exchange, was seething with envy. She had come as Neil’s fiancée, but here was his grandmother, openly favoring Katelyn, humiliating her in front of everyone.

With a forced smile, Lise attempted diplomacy. “I didn’t mean to cause any upset. I simply wanted to avoid overshadowing your special day.”

Carol responded with a disdainful snort, her expression contemptuous.

“This is a Wheeler family matter. Since when does an outsider have a say? What significance do you hold here?” Her words were sharp, laden with disdain.

Lise felt a profound humiliation.

Clenching her fists, her body quaked with suppressed rage.

“Carol, I’m acting for the greater good, yet you misinterpret me.”

Internally, she wished the old woman would meet an untimely end.

Carol’s annoyance deepened at Lise’s woeful display. “I see right through your act, so there’s no need for pretense here.”

Neil, unable to contain his frustration, intervened coldly. “Grandma, Lise is my fiancée. With so many guests present, why must you embarrass her?”

He glanced at Katelyn, suspecting she might be fueling his grandmother’s disdain for Lise.

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“Grandma, Lise is a good person. Please don’t harbor such prejudice against her based on unfounded gossip,” Neil added.

Katelyn couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Was Neil oblivious? Why was everything seemingly her fault?

Carol laughed coldly, her tone laced with disappointment. This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel.net

“You fool, you can’t distinguish a genuine diamond from a rhinestone! Trusting a woman’s tears so readily… Handing over the company to you was perhaps my gravest error.”

If Neil weren’t her only grandson, she might have considered replacing him as the head of the company long before.

Neil’s expression darkened instantly.

Their dispute had captured the attention of many guests. Seeing this, Neil’s mother, Mabel Wheeler, quickly intervened to defuse the situation. She positioned herself beside Carol, subtly nudging Katelyn to the side with her elbow.

“Carol, today marks a significant milestone in your life. Let’s keep our focus on celebrating.”

Carol responded with a nonchalant nod and took her place at the head of the table.

Though nudged aside, Katelyn wasn’t bothered. She had come solely to ensure Carol enjoyed her birthday. After presenting her gift, she planned to leave, wanting little to do with the rest of the Wheeler family, whom she saw as nothing but schemers.

As the celebration continued, it was time for the family photos.

The photographer readied his camera with a smile.

“Could the family please come together for the group photo?”

Carol was positioned at the center, without question. Neil’s parents stood right behind her, while two chairs beside her were reserved for Neil and his wife.

Previously, Katelyn had always occupied the seat to the left while still married to Neil.

Now, she quietly observed from the sidelines, planning to take Carol for a more personal photo session later.

Everyone took their designated places.

Lise, eager to affirm her status, checked her makeup in the mirror before moving toward Carol. The end of today’s celebration would solidify her position as Neil’s future wife.

However, just as Lise readied her poised smile and moved to sit, Carol’s voice cut through sharply.

“Who told you to sit here? This is a family photo!”

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