Gianna lingered, hoping Wendy would show remorse and soften toward her. If Wendy retracted the design sketches, there was still a chance to forgive her misjudgment and recklessness.


    Yet when Wendy met her gaze, already glistening with hurt, she merely furrowed her brow slightly and said, "Gianna, I told you just call me Aunt Wendy from now on." Gianna froze in ce. She bit her lip as tears slipped down her cheeks, one by one. Her voice quivered as she murmured, "Okay... Aunt Wendy."


    She had ced so much meaning in that single title. Thest word trembled with pain and resentment. Ovee, she wiped her face roughly and bolted toward the door.


    Her outburst had drawn attention; everyone in the private room was watching.


    Pepper''s eyes reddened as well. She rose quickly, anxiety and sorrow evident on her pale face as she faced Wendy across the table.


    "Wendy, you know Gianna looks up to you. She''s been like that since she was a child. She hasn''t done anything wrong. She just can''t ept this sudden change. Even if you can''t love her like a daughter, you don''t have to humiliate her in front of the outsiders."


    Adrian''s brow furrowed slightly. He silently agreed with Pepper.


    How can Wendy be so heartless? After everything, Gianna hasn''t softened her in the slightest.


    Adrian realized that if Wendy treated Gianna this way, he himself would be met with even greater distance.


    He felt Gianna''s bitterness deep in his chest-raw and stinging. Pepper''s words seemed entirely justified.


    Anneliese observed the tension, frowning in concern.


    She didn''t know the full story between Wendy and Gianna, but it was obvious that Pepper wasn''t treating her sister fairly.


    On impulse, Anneliese reached across the table and sped Wendy''s hand.


    Wendy blinked, then nced at Anneliese with a look that silently said, I''m okay. Ellie noticed the subtle gesture, herrge, round eyes widening. She slid her small hand between the two, resting it gently atop them.


    A warmth spread through Wendy''s chest. Seeing the three hands together-two small, one grown-her throat tightened unexpectedly, and her vision blurred slightly. "Wendy? You..."


    When Wendy remained silent, Pepper''s face grew even paler.


    Adrian, realizing Pepper seemed unyielding, was about to pull her back into her seat when Wendy lifted her head instead.


    She picked up her coffee, sipped lightly, and said to Pepper, "Outsiders? Jonathan practically grew up under my watch and h and Steven are inseparable tike brothers. I''ve connected with Anne too I was going to ask her if she''d like me to be her Godmother. To me, they aren''t outsiders at all."


    She meant it—Anneliese and Jonathan were part of her inner circle. Anyone else was an outsider.


    That included the trio who had barged into the private room-Adrian and hispanions.


    Pepper''s gaze flicked between Wendy and Anneliese.


    "Wendy, Gianna is already falling apart. All she wants is a mother''s affection and your approval. Naming Anneliese your goddaughter right now would destroy her."


    Pepper''s nails dug into her palms. She hadn''t anticipated that Wendy might want to make Anneliese her goddaughter.


    No way!


    Wendy let a small, amused smile


    curve her lips. "Gianna wants a mother''s love? Isn''t that your job? You''re her mother. You abandoned her, and now you expect me to make give you


    up for what you could


    failed as her birth mother How can you possibly me me for that?"


    Pepper froze, staring at Wendy in stunned disbelief.


    All these years, Wendy had witnessed everything—and had remained silent.


    Pepper had assumed Wendy epted the situation and would always remain quiet.


    She never expected her to strike back now, ruthless and unyielding.


    "Wendy, how can you say that? You know that back then I..."


    Her words trailed off, tears welling as her body trembled.


    At that time, she had tried to marry into a wealthy family and failed, and then


    couldn''t terminate her pregnancy.


    She had framed her situation as


    forced uponert


    circumstances,


    making it seem as though Gianna''s existence was the result of coercion.


    This painted her as a victim and


    lessened the cruelty of sending her child away, eliciting Adrian''s


    sympathy.


    Adrian had taken Gianna in and raised her as his own, forging an unbreakable bond.


    Raising a child nurtured a deep attachment. Blood ties proved unnecessary. Over time, even a child not born to him coulde to feel closer than one''s own.