She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 34

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 34. Meeting Elise Again

 

“Cecilia says not to take Jeremy away! While she goes around dragging along all sorts of wicked girls like that Wendy!”

 

“What are you going on about now? You’ve been making all this fuss over that?”

 

Evan leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head, swinging his legs carelessly.

 

His attitude was in stark contrast to Rosena, who was seething with anger.

 

“You should stop this nonsense too. Taking the kid along would just be noisy and troublesome anyway. We can leave him with the maids here, so why go looking for trouble?”

 

“Evan!”

 

Rosena’s face contorted at Evan’s indifferent attitude, as if this was someone else’s problem.

 

This was the same man who had remained calm when Cecilia took Jeremy, saying ‘He’s my son anyway.’

 

‘This pathetic fool! If Cecilia has a child, Jeremy’s position will obviously be in danger!’

 

Rosena clenched her fists tightly.

 

Cecilia taking Jeremy was purely a scheme to torment her.

 

The excuse about the duchess’s upbringing was just a pretense.

 

She was definitely plotting with burning eyes to somehow drive Jeremy away.

 

‘I can’t let that girl have her way.’

 

From the moment she entered this house with Evan, Rosena had only one goal.

 

To become the duchess and someday elevate Jeremy to the ducal title.

 

If she could just get the Hays Ducal House in her hands, she could live without envy for the rest of her life.

 

‘Yes, just like the grandmother we’re meeting today.’

 

Even in her old age, Elise Hays still wielded tremendous power.

 

Rosena wanted to become like that too.

 

No, she had to become like that.

 

She rolled her eyes busily, mulling over her future plans.

 

She had to win Elise’s favor before Cecilia did.

 

‘I’m confident about that.’

 

Cecilia would only be arrogant, so there was no way she could win the Dowager Duchess’s heart.

 

In contrast, Rosena was ready to be as flexible as a tongue in one’s mouth at any time.

 

‘Cecilia, do you think I’ll give up just because you left Jeremy behind?’

 

A snake-like smile crept across Rosena’s lips.

 

‘Just wait and see. This time I’ll definitely crush you flat.’

 

* * *

 

Hays Estate’s Grand Manor.

 

Cecilia walked slowly across the cold marble floor.

 

Rainer walked beside her, while Evan, Rosena, and the servants followed behind.

 

‘This place… it’s exactly the same.’

 

Cecilia raised her head and looked around.

 

To think she would visit this place again like this.

 

It brought back mixed feelings.

 

‘Back then, I was always cowering because I was afraid of the Dowager Duchess.’

 

This place held no good memories for Cecilia.

 

In her past life, whenever Elise summoned her here, she was always harshly reprimanded.

 

All the blame for not having children with Evan was placed entirely on Cecilia’s shoulders.

 

‘You lack a sense of responsibility as a duchess. This is what happens with children who grow up without parents.’

 

Even faced with such humiliation, Cecilia could only bow her head and apologize.

 

Recalling that humiliating past, Cecilia’s eyes hardened with resolve.

 

She would never again bow her head submissively before Elise.

 

“Dowager Duchess, Duke Hays has arrived.”

 

“Come in.”

 

When head maid Margaret politely knocked on the drawing room door, a voice came from inside.

 

Soon the door opened, revealing the luxurious interior of the drawing room.

 

A massive golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, and expensive carpets from the Eastern Continent covered the floor.

 

In the center of the spotlessly gleaming room, Elise sat with dignity.

 

Her hair was perfectly arranged without a strand out of place, and her sharp gaze was exactly as Cecilia remembered.

 

“We greet the Dowager Duchess.”

 

Cecilia and Rainer bowed their heads respectfully.

 

However, Elise ignored them completely without any response.

 

It was as if the two people weren’t even there.

 

“Oh, so you’re Evan. Looking at you now, you resemble Gilbert so much.”

 

Elise immediately approached Evan and stroked his cheek.

 

Evan looked bewildered.

 

“Ah, me…?”

 

“Yes, your father looked exactly like this when he was your age.”

 

Her pride and joy, the pure Hays bloodline.

 

Thinking of Gilbert, Elise’s voice became gentle.

 

She was full of affection for Evan, who looked like her son had returned.

 

“…”

 

Rainer’s eyes grew cold as he watched this scene.

 

The servants also felt awkward at the Dowager Duchess’s blatant disregard and only glanced nervously at Rainer.

 

But Elise paid no attention and kept her gaze fixed solely on Evan.

 

Cecilia inwardly smirked.

 

‘That woman hasn’t changed one bit either.’

 

Elise’s behavior was familiar.

 

Treating people like invisible beings while flaunting her authority.

 

Cecilia had endured this countless times in her past life.

 

‘Back then, I was terrified of the Dowager Duchess and this time felt suffocating.’

 

After being overwhelmed by her presence, even hearing Elise’s name would make her break out in cold sweat.

 

But now those schemes only seemed ridiculous.

 

She had no intention of getting caught up in such childish power games anymore.

 

Cecilia stepped forward.

 

“Mother-in-law.”

 

Only then did Elise’s gaze turn toward her at Cecilia’s voice.

 

Though she looked at her as if viewing an insect, Cecilia calmly maintained her smile.

 

“The Duke and I will go upstairs first.”

 

“What?”

 

“Evan has been looking forward to meeting his grandmother. You’ll have much to discuss, so we should naturally give you space, shouldn’t we?”

 

“Well…”

 

Elise stared at her with an expression of disbelief.

 

Cecilia didn’t avoid her gaze and met it head-on.

 

‘You thought you held the upper hand. But that’s all a delusion.’

 

She had no intention whatsoever of being humiliated as that woman desired.

 

Cecilia affectionately took Rainer’s hand.

 

“Mother-in-law, let’s yield to Evan for a moment. In the meantime, why don’t you show me around this place?”

 

“That’s a good idea.”

 

Rainer nodded with satisfaction.

 

The atmosphere had completely shifted in Cecilia’s favor.

 

Rather than being ignored by Elise, it appeared they had graciously stepped aside first.

 

“Then we’ll take our leave.”

 

The two passed by Elise, who was biting her lips tightly.

 

Standing in the doorway, Cecilia turned to look at Rosena.

 

“Rosena, you should come out too.”

 

“What? Me too…?”

 

“Yes. We shouldn’t interfere with their time together, should we?”

 

“But—”

 

“Hey, Rosie. Hurry up and go.”

 

Evan poked Rosena’s waist repeatedly, urging her as she hesitated.

 

He didn’t want to create conflict with Cecilia even here.

 

“Hah…”

 

In the end, Rosena hung her head low and followed behind Cecilia.

 

Elise’s eyes narrowed into thin slits.

 

‘What an insolent thing.’

 

It was rare for anyone to stand up to her so boldly when she had reigned as a grand noble all this time.

 

Even the Empress and Crown Princess didn’t dare treat Elise carelessly.

 

It seemed she wasn’t the docile type at all.

 

If she had been a meek girl, Elise would have tried to break her spirit moderately and handle her.

 

‘Indeed, she’s perfectly suited for that lowly bastard. But well, it doesn’t matter.’

 

Elise called Margaret, who was standing nearby.

 

And whispered quietly so only the two of them could hear.

 

“The preparations for tomorrow are all complete, aren’t they?”

 

“Yes, everything has been finished as you instructed, Dowager Duchess.”

 

“Good.”

 

Elise wore a satisfied expression.

 

Loyal Margaret never failed to meet her expectations.

 

“That thing probably won’t comply obediently. Prepare more people just in case.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

“Um… Grandmother?”

 

Evan, who had been standing there awkwardly until then, spoke up sheepishly.

 

Elise immediately turned around with a benevolent face.

 

“Yes, Evan. Come sit here. Let’s have the conversation we couldn’t finish earlier.”

 

Even as she seated her grandson, Elise’s mind was still working rapidly.

 

First, she intended to firmly suppress Cecilia’s insolent attitude from today.

 

‘Foolish thing. If she had behaved meekly, I wouldn’t have handled her roughly.’

 

Well, it was a grave that foolish girl had dug for herself.

 

As she thought of the ‘special gift’ prepared for her new daughter-in-law tomorrow, her eyes gleamed coldly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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