?Chapter 631:


    Before Katelyn could speak, another voice sounded first. Carol made her entrance, d 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 woulde.”


    Lise, observing this warm exchange, was seething with envy. She hade 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,den 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 disy. “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 nced at Katelyn, suspecting she might be fueling his grandmother’s disdain for Lise.


    Ga ln ovels . fuels your imagination


    “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?


    Carolughed coldly, her toneced with disappointment.<fn915d> This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel</fn915d>


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


    If Neil weren’t her only grandson, she might have considered recing him as the head of thepany 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 nonchnt nod and took her ce at the head of the table.


    Though nudged aside, Katelyn wasn’t bothered. She hade solely to ensure Carol enjoyed her birthday. After presenting her gift, she nned 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 pleasee 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 upied the seat to the left while still married to Neil.


    Now, she quietly observed from the sidelines, nning to take Carol for a more personal photo sessionter.


    Everyone took their designated ces.


    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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