Several minutes earlier.


    The ss door of the conservatory swung open, and Archie strolled in with a grin, casually closing the door behind him.


    "Good afternoon, cousin-inw!"


    M turned, leaning against the rose trellis, her expression neutral as she eyed the neer, curious about his intentions.


    Archie took a few steps closer, lightly teasing the roses with his fingertips, a yful smile on his lips. "Why won''t you talk to me, cousin-inw? I''ve heard so much about you."


    M remained unimpressed. "Spit it out. What''s your grudge?"


    "Grudge?" Archie was momentarily taken aback.


    "With that attitude, it''s the only thing that makes sense," M replied coolly. "Might as welly it all out today and settle it."


    "Hahaha!" Archie was silent for a couple of seconds before bursting intoughter. "Oh, cousin-inw, you truly are something else. No wonder my dear cousin fell


    for you."


    At the mention of Lysander, M''s expression hardened. She fixed a sharp gaze on the young man, saying nothing.


    Archie chuckled, leaning back against the trellis, surrounded by roses, exuding a carefree air. "I''m here to support you."


    "What?"


    M was a bit perplexed.


    "To back you up! I know about my cousin''s little affair, oh yes..."


    Archie pondered for a moment.


    "Oh right, that Giselle, isn''t it? I hear she''s his childhood sweetheart. But don''t worry, I won''t let that sweetheart waltz into the Montgomery family!"


    M''s brow furrowed as she listened. "What on earth are you talking about?"


    ...


    "Heh."


    Archieughed again-


    "I can''t stand my cousin. When he was forced to marry you, I was thrilled. Watching him suffer is my greatest joy."


    "I really admire you, cousin-inw!"


    "Finally, his so-called perfect life has a ring w. If he were to marry his beloved childhood sweetheart and have a perfect marriage, it would add yet


    another thing for my parents to praise him about. How annoying!"


    "To keep him unsatisfied, I''ll definitely help you kick Giselle out!"


    "Cousin-inw, you have to hold onto that title. Make him miserable for life. Can''t


    let him have it all, that''d be too boring!"


    "I''m rooting for you!"


    He even punched the air with enthusiasm, full of youthful exuberance.


    Silence enveloped the conservatory.


    M''s face was expressionless, her gaze icy, but after a long pause, she chuckled.


    Archie, unsettled by herughter, said awkwardly, “What''s so funny? Can''t you just say something?"


    Mughed, "Idiot."


    Archie stood upright, bewildered. "What did you say?!"


    M ignored his question, continuing, "An eighteen-year-old trying to give me advice? How did your esteemed family produce someone like you? Such misfortune."


    She reached into the trellis and pulled out a trowel, walking towards him.


    "Since you call me cousin-inw, it''s my duty to teach you a thing or two about respect and manners!"


    With that, she swung the trowel at his side.


    Archie was too stunned to react, stters of soilnding on his face. He yelped, "Disgusting! How dare you hit me with that!"


    Wiping the dirt from his face, he tried to dodge, but his backside received a hefty smack, leaving a muddy imprint.


    Archie, a clean freak, was beside himself with rage.


    Dodging ineffectively, his face flushed with the embarrassment of the situation, he shouted, "I''m warning you, I don''t hit women, but push me, and I just might!"