“Mom.”


    Erica’s gentle hand soothingly stroked her mother-inw’s back as she whispered softly in Mrs. Hani’s ear:


    “Calm down, Mom. Don’t fall into their vile trap.”


    Faced with Erica’s wise words, Mrs. Hani reluctantly swallowed her anger. Once again, Mrs. Lani felt frustrated as Erica disrupted her ns.


    Before Mrs. Lani or Kora could respond and continue their provocation, Erica turned to look at the mother and daughter, calmly stating:


    “I have recorded everything you both said. Soon, mywyer will be contacting both of you.”


    “What?!” Surprised and filled with doubt, Kora stammered, asking for rification.


    Instead of answering Kora’s question, Erica politely added:Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    “We’ll see you both in court. Now, we have to go.”


    “Let’s go, Mom, or we’ll bete for lunch,” Erica said to Mrs. Hani.


    “Okay.”


    The mother and daughter walked hand in hand, leaving the store. There was no reason to stop them. The crowd dispersed, making way for them.


    “You two can’t leave,” Mrs. Lani stubbornly dered, loudly giving hermand.


    “Erica has already spoken; we’ll meet at the court.” Mrs. Hani turned back, ring and firmly dering, “I will make you pay for your tant and despicable nder against my family. Just you wait.”


    “Don’t think that those threats make me afraid. What can someone as poor and lowly as you do?” Mrs. Lani retorted, mocking Mrs. Hani.


    “I, Hani Mary, can say and do it.” Mrs. Hani dered arrogantly, “You will see the terrible consequences that will befall you when you dare to offend the Browns.”


    “Brown?” Mrs. Lani asked with a tone of half skepticism, half mockery.


    “Let’s go, Mom,” Erica urged, and Mrs. Hani followed, paying no attention to Mrs. Lani and Kora anymore.


    “Erica, don’t let me see you again. If not, I won’t let you go as easily as today,” Mrs. Lani shouted after them.


    “Do you forget that we will meet in court?” Erica turned back and retorted, “Soon enough, we will meet again.”


    Faced with Erica’s confident attitude, Mrs. Lani had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.


    “Mom, is the Brown family the wealthiest in the country?” Kora expressed her doubts after Erica left. “Is Erica really their daughter-inw?”


    “You’re being delusional, aren’t you? There’s no such thing as good fortune like that. This country is notcking people with the Brown surname,” Mrs. Lani continued to look down on Erica and wish misfortune upon her: “Just think about it; if they were from the Brown family, they wouldn’t be here buying discounted items.”


    “Perhaps you’re right, Mom.” Kora didn’t hesitate and decided to believe her mother.


    …


    Upon arriving home, Mrs. Hani incessantly vented her frustration about the incident that urred at the shopping center. Wanting to teach both Kora and Mrs. Lani a lesson, Mrs. Hani immediately called Ansel and asked him toe home right away to discuss a n.


    “What’s the matter that Mom called me back urgently?” Ansel, just entering the living room, asked with concern. “I have a meeting with a business partner this afternoon.”


    Mrs. Hani eximed in frustration, “Forget about that meeting. There’s a big issue now.”


    “What happened?” Ansel asked anxiously. “Is Mom hurt?” Ansel noticed the scratch marks on Mrs. Hani’s face and became concerned.


    Sitting beside his wife, Mr. Brown responded, “Someone assaulted your wife and mother.”


    “What? Who dares to be so audacious?” Ansel angrily cursed.


    “That crazy woman did it.” Mrs. Hani continued to vent her frustrations, thinking about the incident.


    “Tell us calmly what happened,” Mr. Brown impatiently urged. Seeing that his wife didn’t respond, he turned to his daughter-inw and asked:


    “Erica, this morning you and Mom went to the shopping center. What happened there? Why did Mom get hurt?” Mr. Brown asked.


    “I’m sorry; it’s all my fault,” Erica said remorsefully. “Mom got hurt because she stood up for me.”


    “Why are you apologizing? The fault lies with those two crazy women, not you,” Mrs. Hani scolded.


    “But…” Erica still felt guilty.


    “What really happened, Erica? Please tell me.” Ansel sat down next to his wife and gently asked


    Taking a deep breath, Erica looked at her husband and recounted the entire sequence of events. After hearing it, not only was Ansel gritting his teeth in anger, but even Mr. Brown felt a sense of being belittled and humiliated.


    “Her mother and daughter are really thick-skinned and have no shame at all.” Ansel scolded angrily.


    “Ansel, calm down.” Erica held her husband’s hand, which was reassuring.


    “Do you know who they are, Ansel?” Mr. Brown asked curiously, noticing Ansel’s intense demeanor.


    “Yes,” Ansel replied. Before Mr. Brown could inquire further, Mrs. Hani interrupted.


    “Erica, who are the two people we encountered at the shopping center? What’s the story behind you seducing Kora’s boyfriend and assaulting Kora?” Mrs. Hani asked, recalling those specific details and wanting to rify them to avoid any misunderstandings about Erica.


    “Who told Mom those absurd things?” Ansel asked in frustration.


    “Those two mothers are from that family,” Mrs. Hani replied. Ansel clenched his fists tightly, as if trying to squeeze out his anger.


    “What’s the truth behind all of this? Please exin it quickly.” Mr. Brown calmly took control of the situation.


    “Father, Mother,” Erica took a deep breath and said, “Kora and her mother are actually…”


    Erica retold the painful story she had gone through.


    “They truly are despicable.” Mrs. Hani angrily cursed, “How dare they live so wretchedly and cruelly?”


    “Mother, please calm down. Your well-being is important,” Ansel reassured his mother.


    “Why didn’t you speak up when you were insulted like that, Erica? You just remained silent and endured it,” Mrs. Hani reproached. “Moreover, you even buy discounted items. Our family is notcking in money for you to resort to discounted goods.”


    Ansel wanted to defend his wife, but Erica was quick to respond.


    “Pregnant women should not have negative emotions. The bad behavior of a mother can easily affect her children in the future. Moreover, I believe there is no need to argue with unreasonable people like them,” Erica calmly replied.


    “Erica, what about these children’s clothes? They don’t seem to be intended for newborns.” Mr. Brown curiously looked at the bag of items Erica had bought and asked


    “They’re gifts I bought for the children at the orphanage.”


    “As your mother said, why didn’t you buy branded items?”


    “That’s right; if you had done so, that woman wouldn’t have insulted you,” Mrs. Hani added, echoing her husband’s sentiment.


    “I understand your point, Mom and Dad. However, the issue is not about branded items or discounted goods. No matter what, they would find ways to provoke me,” Erica exined with frustration. “As for the reason I bought discounted items, it’s because I don’t want to spoil the children at the orphanage. If they grow up ustomed to expensive andvish things from a young age, they may develop a sense of entitlement andziness, thinking they don’t have to work for anything. Besides, when people see the children wearing expensive clothes, they might assume that the orphanage’s conditions are already good and that additional funding is unnecessary. In that case, the orphanage could face difficulties.”


    Once again, no one could argue against Erica’s persuasive reasoning. She was incredibly intelligent and astute in her behavior and actions. Erica always prioritized the most important interests above all else and then considered other matters.


    “Erica, I’m sorry; I misjudged you,” Mrs. Hani said with embarrassment.


    “It’s alright, Mom,” Erica said, moved by the moment. “I’m d that you listened to my story and epted me.”


    “Only fools would give up on a daughter-inw who is both obedient and beautiful, as well as talented and intelligent like you,” Mrs. Hani eximed. “Oh, you’re a daughter-inw to be proud of.” Mrs. Hani embraced Erica with overflowing affection and love. That precious moment made Ansel smile with happiness.


    “Ansel, Mom doesn’t need to know how you’ll do it, but you must ensure that those two individuals face appropriate punishment,” Mrs. Hani said to Ansel firmly.


    “Mom, rest assured, I’ve already nned how to handle this matter,” Ansel revealed.


    “Mom will also lend a helping hand. Just let me know what you need.”


    “Yes, Mom.”