"Stephanie, why are you dazed? Say something, Richard urged when he saw Stephanie hesitating to speak, clearly reluctant to apologize.


    Meanwhile, Maxwell continued to eat leisurely, even sharing tasty bites with Mona, showing no interest in their


    conversation..


    Mona was still holding a grudge against Stephanie for what she had done, and she didn''t want to greet Stephanie at all She calmly continued eating her food. Stephanie, recalling her promise to Richard, looked at Maxwell and reluctantly said, "I''m sorry"


    There was no precedent for elders to apologize to their juniors. Such a thing would make anyoneugh.


    After Stephanie spoke. Richard turned to Maxwell and said, "Maxwell, your grandmother didn''t mean it. She apologized. Please forgive her this time."


    "She''s not just apologizing to me. She should apologize to Mona even more," Maxwell replied coolly.


    What he meant was that Stephanie should apologize to Mona.


    If his willpower wasn''t strong enough and he had gotten involved with Lydia, he would despise himself for life.


    If the drugging had truly worked, the one who would suffer the most would be Mona.


    Stephanie''s nails dug tightly into her palms, her teeth clenched together. She felt an overwhelming reluctance to apologize to Maxwell. Now, she had to apologize to Mona as well. There was simply no way she could bring herself to do it.


    If it hadn''t been for Mona ruining Stephanie''s nsst night, Stephanie and Lydia would have seeded already. And right now, they would have been dealing with Maxwell and Mona''s divorce. Stephanie wouldn''t have to apologize at all.


    Maxwell remained silent for a long time before saying, "From now on, I won''t be returning to the Carter family with Mona As soon as he finished speaking, Richard nudged Stephanie and urged, "Apologize!"


    If Maxwell didn''t return to the Carter family for several months, it would be a clear sign to everyone that he had severed ties with the family.


    Stephanie was already ufortable after apologizing to Maxwell, and hearing Richard''s tone made her angry as her eyes swept over Mona, who was still eating.


    Stephanie thought,/It is all because of her that I am feeling so humiliated today! Furious, Stephanie stormed out, not wanting to participate in this so-called ball any longer.


    Once in her room, Stephanie began to smash things, calling out Mona''s name in a fit of rage.


    Maxwell and Mona''s engagement happened without her consent. Mona had been Teddy''s girlfriend for many years, and Stephanie had never been satisfied with Mona being another man''s girlfriend for so long. However, she had refrained from meddling since she hadn''t found a suitable partner for Maxwell.


    Lydia had returned, and she was far superior to Mona in every way. What was more, Lydia respected Stephanie, unlike Mona, who acted like a spoiled princess and didn''t show any respect at all.


    The two were only registered but hadn''t had a wedding, so a divorce wouldn''t entail much loss. Stephanie could see that Lydia liked Maxwell and immediately thought of bringing the two together. Lydia agreed, which led to Stephanie drugging Maxwell and Lydia.


    95%E


    As the situation unfolded. Richard nced at Mona and said apologetically on behalf of Stephanie


    Stephanie''s personality had a lot to do with him. When he was younger, he hurt her feelings. After they had children, he thought his life would go on smoothly, but by the time he wanted to live a good life with Stephanie, her personality ha changed drastically. That was why Stephanie had be so impulsive, doing whatever the wanted,


    Just indulge her. After she messes up this family, you''ll regret it This is the first andst time. Otherwise, I won''t return to the Carter family again, Maxwell said nonchntly.


    Compared to Mona, those bits of genuine affection didn''t even matter.


    "Okay, I''ll keep an eye on her, Richard said, acknowledging that the mistakes he made when he was young could only be repaid in old age.


    As time passed, the party officially began, and to the soothing music, couples filled the dance floor.


    As the event''s guest of honor, Lydia was in her element, mingling effortlessly at the party.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Among the crowd. Mona unexpectedly spotted Barbara, who was approaching with Lydia, Richard, and Stephanie.


    They weren''t looking for Mona. They wereing for Maxwell since Lydia''s gaze was fixed on him.


    When they reached Maxwell, Lydia said, "Maxwell, may I invite you to dance for the first song of the evening!


    She made an inviting gesture toward him.


    This ball was held to wee Lydia back, so everyone''s attention was naturally on her. Every move she made drew people''s


    interest


    Maxwell was the youngest and most promising president of the Carter Group, making it all the more noteworthy when he was invited to dance


    In an instant, everyone on the dance floor paused, waiting for Maxwell''s response.


    A few bold guests even called out to Maxwell, urging him to ept the invitation from Lydia


    Not one of them acknowledged Mona''s presence.


    Lydia still held her inviting posture, and upon hearing everyone''s remarks, she added with a smile, "Maxwell, I had no idea about what happened that night. If you''re not angry with me, why not dance the first dance with me?"


    Being a woman, Lydia understood that she would be the one hurt in such a situation. Now that she was making this request, whether or not Maxwell wanted to dance with her, his gentlemanly demeanor wouldn''t allow him to refuse.


    Mona shot a cold nce at Lydia. Mona was Mrs Carter, and yet someone dared to invite her husband to dance without even considering whether she was willing.


    Mona stood up from her chair, lifted her dress, and made a gesture to invite Maxwell, smiling, "I wonder if 1, as Mr. Carter''s fiancée, have the honor of inviting you to the first dance?"


    "Of course." Without a second thought, Maxwell took Mona''s hand and said to Lydia, "You didn''t do anything wrong that night, but I''ll still be dancing this one with Mona


    While he referred to Mona as his fiancée, both Barbara and Lydia knew they were already married. Barbara looked at the couple with envy and jealousy.


    Lydia shot a venomous re at Mona, stomping her foot in frustration.