?Chapter 1068:


    Evelyn’s expression soured. She was clearly itching for Elena to leave the house for good.


    Evelyn’s features were tight with frustration. “Jolie, how can you call yourself a mother if you never teach your daughter to stand on her own two feet?”


    Evelyn didn’t bother hiding her disdain as she mocked Elena. “Elena, it’s time you stopped clinging to Wesley. Ste’s about to be his fiancée. If you keep hanging around, people will start whispering that you have no shame, that you’re after another family’s future son-inw. It’s downright disgraceful.”


    Even Jolie, who was usually tolerant of Evelyn, couldn’t stand to hear her talk about Elena like that. “Watch yournguage, Evelyn,” she said firmly. “Elena is my daughter. I’ll support her choices no matter what. If she wants to marry, that’s her decision. If she doesn’t, that’s up to her, too. Her father and I trust her to make the right call.”


    Evelyn protested, “But—”


    But Jolie cut her off. “And let me be clear, the Harper family isn’t afraid of gossip. Elena can live her life however she wants. I don’t want to hear another word of criticism against her from you. Consider this your final warning. Mind your words and attitude.”


    It was the first time Jolie had ever taken such a hard line with Evelyn, who now stood there, lips pursed in resentment.


    Evelyn bitterly assumed Jolie had been putting on a kind act all along. Once, Jolie had promised to treat her like her own family. But the second Elena returned, Jolie’s demeanor shifted instantly, even scolding her for Elena. That bitterness grew into outright hostility. Indeed, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. To have raised a slut like Elena, Jolie couldn’t be much better herself.


    Evelyn sulked and muttered under her breath, “I didn’t say anything wrong…”


    Jolie’s frown deepened, unable to understand what had gotten into her daughter-inw. In the past, she’d tried to excuse Evelyn’s behavior, chalking it up to youth and Jeffry’s coldness. She had always let things slide, not wanting Evelyn to feel isted or unloved. The whole marriage mess had blown over, and nobody in the Harper family had med Evelyn for any of it.


    Jolie had hoped that Evelyn woulde around, but instead, Evelyn just doubled down on targeting Elena.


    The disappointment was written all over Jolie’s face. “Evelyn, Elena is your sister-inw. How could you speak about her like that?”


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    But Evelyn wouldn’t back down. “As if I acknowledge her.”


    At that moment, Jeffry entered the house just in time to hear her statement. His eyes narrowed, his expression turning stone-cold, though he stayed silent.


    Completely unaware of Jeffry’s presence, her back to the door, Evelyn continued, “What did I say that was so wrong? With the Spencer Group in shambles, Wesley is obviously going to marry Ste. Elena’s just making a fool of herself, clinging to Wesley with no shame at all!”


    Evelyn’s mind shifted to Elena’s friend, who had snatched Jeffry’s heart. Surely, that tramp—Elena—and her friend had hit it off, both equally shameless!


    Evelyn shot Elena a venomous look.


    Jolie’s face was drained of color, her anger barely contained. “That’s enough! You’ve gone too far, Evelyn!”


    Evelyn stood her ground, convinced she’d said nothing out of line.


    Jeffry’s gaze was icy behind his sses, a sharpness that made the air grow cold. “Who are you using of being shamelessly clingy?” he asked, his voice like a de.


    The living room went silent as all eyes snapped toward the doorway.


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