Even if they had something to say, they would need to think twice about voicing it.


    Jonathan''s cool gaze drifted toward Elizabeth, a silent tension hanging in the air between them. He said nothing, but the weight of his silence was palpable.


    Elizabeth met his gaze, her expression momentarily flickering like a candle in the wind before her brows knitted together in frustration.


    The thought of Jonathan unceremoniously tossing me out of Oceaton to make room for Anneliese ignited a fire of anger within me.


    Now, he had the audacity to bring Anneliese home, cradling her as though she were a precious artifact, something to be disyed rather than a person.


    How am I supposed to keep my temper in check when faced with such tant disregard?


    But then, just as my anger began to swell, Jonathan shot me that infuriating half- smile, a look that was equal parts yful and warning. In an instant, my ire shrank, reced by a wave of guilt.


    No matter what, I am his mother and elder-I cannot be the one to leap into conflict and humiliate my own son in front of everyone gathered here.


    As the silence deepened, it felt increasingly suffocating, a cloak of humiliation wrapping around me.


    Derek sat nearby, his expression dark and stormy. Penelope cast a nce at Elizabeth, but chose to remain silent, her lips pressed into a thin line.


    The three Fullbuster brothers and their wives were equally unresponsive, clearly unwilling to intervene in this escting drama.


    If even they remained mute, the younger generation would certainly not dare to speak up.


    Just when Elizabeth''s face was contorting into a more unattractive scowl by the second, Anneliese still nestled in Jonathan''s arms-suddenly broke the silence.


    "Mom is right. I''ve been rude. Please, put me down."


    She turned her gaze to Jonathan, who, without hesitation,plied, gently lowering her while still supporting her waist to ensure she didn''t wobble.


    Standing tall and steady, Anneliese beamed at the elders, her voice ringing clear and bright.


    "Happy New Year, Grandpa, Grandma! Happy New Year to all my uncles and aunts! I''m a little injured, and Jonathan was worried I might fall and embarrass myself, so... please don''tugh at me."


    Her demeanor was poised, as if she were performing on a stage rather than facing a room full of scrutinizing eyes.


    Despite Elizabeth''s earlier sharpness, Anneliese showed no sign of resentment.


    With so many eyes upon her, she appearedpletely unperturbed.


    In fact, she seemed to ease the tension in the room, even helping Elizabeth salvage her dignity.


    Derek remained silent, yet I could see the shift in his expression-a flicker of surprise and perhaps begrudging admiration.


    Penelope, however, was taken aback and sprang to her feet, her concern evident.


    “Are you injured? Where?" she eximed, her voiceced with urgency.


    “Grandma, it''s just a bump on the back of my head," Anneliese replied, her tone calm and reassuring.


    Penelope hurried over, and Jonathan


    gently lifted Anneliese''s hat,


    revealing the white gauze wrapped


    around her head a sight both


    jarring


    d rming. Old Madam


    Fu''s brows knitted together in worry.


    "How did this happen? No wonder your face looks so pale! Why are you letting her


    stand here? Hurry, take her upstairs to rest!"


    Her voice was tinged with anxiety, her heart clearly aching for her granddaughter-in-w.


    Anneliese lightly grasped her hand. “Grandma, it''s really just a bump. I''m fine! I haven''t even had the chance to greet everyone properly yet—"


    "Family doesn''t need to stand on ceremony," Penelope interjected, waving her hand dismissively.


    "There will be plenty of opportunities


    for thatter. Right now, you need to


    focus on recovering. If not, people will think we mistreat our granddaughter-inw."


    With that, she turned her attention to Derek. "Do you have anything to add?"


    What more could Derek say after her emphatic deration?


    While he might not have been particrly fond of Anneliese, the fact remained that she was already here—it was toote to turn back.


    And, more importantly, he wasn''t about to make things difficult for an injured young


    woman.


    Seeing his cold, prideful grandson transformed into a soft protector stirred something uneasy within him.


    If he pushed too hard... who knew how Jonathan might react?


    Derek waved a hand dismissively. "You''ve already covered everything. What else is there for me to say?"


    With both elders speaking up, no one dared to make a scene.


    Voices chimed in with polite suggestions. “Jonathan, take your wife upstairs.”


    "Should we call the doctor again?"


    Elizabeth''s expression darkened further, her frustration boiling just beneath the surface.


    As she opened her mouth to speak, her husband, Keh, gently tugged on her sleeve.


    “Enough. It''s New Year''s—stop making a scene,” he murmured, his tone firm yet quiet.


    Elizabeth''s manicured nails dug into the couch, leaving shallow imprints as she fought to contain her annoyance.


    She muttered under her breath, "Does she always greet her elders like this?"


    Acting as though she were above everyone else. And Old Mr. Fullbuster, after all his grandstanding, let Anneliese off so easily?


    "What''s the point of arguing?"


    Elizabeth continued, her voice low but fierce, "If the daughter-inw and mother-inw sh, everyone with say our son picked the wrong one. Do you want the family tough at


    us?


    Elizabeth fell silent, her thoughts swirling. Of course, I understand that.