No one expected that, despite Madam Shaw''s kind and benevolent appearance, her first response to Ryan would be so sharp.


    I struggled to hold back my smile with great effort.


    Yet, it seemed that I was the only one who could find any amusement in this situation.


    The atmosphere was awkward and tense.


    The real embarrassment wasn''t thement itself but the fact that I, the ex-wife, was right there.


    I lowered my head slightly and looked out the window, trying to minimize my presence.


    The snow outside, not yet melted, dazzled and made it hard to see.


    I felt a gaze fixed on me and then heard Ryan''s deep and calm voice. "Yes, recently divorced."


    Madam Shaw nced at Bethany, her expression growing colder. I''ve also heard that you yed a part in


    it?


    "Grandma... Bethany frowned, throwing a subtle re at me. She adjusted her skirt and sat next to Madam Shaw, shaking her arm.


    "Who told you such nonsense? Ryan''s marriage had long since fallen apart... I just..."


    "I''m asking you one question." Madam Shaw shot her a cold look. "On the day you announced your engagement, did they have their divorce certificate?


    Of course, not.


    Bethany knew this better than anyone.


    She gritted her teeth in frustration but put on an innocent expression. "It''s true they didn''t have the divorce certificate at that time, but the fact that Ryan divorced for me shows that he likes me more than... "Shut up!" Madam Shaw shouted angrily, her face flushing with rage. "Who raised you to be so shameless? If you say even one more word like this in public, the Shaw family will disown you!"


    Bethany was stunned for a moment and then, ring angrily at me, said, "Charlotte, did you say something to Grandma? Did you make her..."


    Madam Shaw furrowed her brows. "What does this have to do with Charlotte? Don''t vent your anger on my esteemed guest."


    "Esteemed guest? Bethany, spoiled by her mother, couldn''t suppress her temper even in front of Madam Shaw. "What kind of esteemed guest is she? Don''t you know her ex..." The words stopped abruptly midway.


    She finally realized that I hadn''t said anything to Madam Shaw.


    Madam Shaw likely only knew about the nned engagement and had someone investigate the matter. But she hadn''t discovered anything about me and Ryan''s past rtionship


    Madam Shaw examined Bethany, still fuming, "Has your mother spoiled you so much that you can''t stop running your mouth? Why don''t you continue?"


    "I..." Bethany swallowed her words and muttered, "Anyway, you''re just like Franky, always biased towards others!"


    Ryan lowered his head, and after concealing some emotions, looked up and said slowly, "Madam Shaw, please don''t be angry with Bethany. This is my fault for being out of line." I suddenly cast a harsh look at him.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    What a scene of intense affection.


    It would have been even more perfect if I weren''t there.


    Madam Shaw''s anger softened slightly. "For saying even that much, you do show some responsibility." Then, shifting her tone


    sharply, she dered, "But even if you''re excellent, you still don''t measure being the Shaw family''s son-inw!"


    up to


    She was utterly merciless.


    Indeed, Ryan might be untouchable in Jston, but here in Jeswood, where the three major families held sway, his situation was quite different.


    The Frost family was now solely supported by him, with no one else backing him up.