Upon seeing Lyra Smith rush out the door, Kaitlyn Lan exclaimed, "Where are you going?"
"Mom, I have to deal with something. Don't wait for me for lunch." After quickly finishing her sentence, Lyra Smith headed straight for the entrance.
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.
Blindsided, Lyra looked at the two people who had just entered the entrance courtyard.
What she feared the most had now occurred!
An uneasy-looking Iris Mitchell, as well as Emily Lan, Iris's mother, were walking hand-in-hand into the house.
It's all over now.
At that moment, only one word echoed in Lyra's mind: doomed.
The butler hurried over to Kaitlyn Lan, saying softly: "Ma'am, they arrived in a flurry, and I didn't have time to stop them."
Kaitlyn Lan raised her hand dismissively, "It's fine, Uncle Trey; you can go about your business."
Uncle Trey nodded and retreated.
Kaitlyn Lan studied the approaching mother-daughter pair.
Just like Uncle Trey had said, they looked angry and seemed to harbor malicious intentions!
Kaitlyn Lan didn't warmly greet Emily Lan and her daughter Iris; instead, she coolly remarked, "You didn't even let us know you were coming. It's quite rude to show up unannounced, and might reflect poorly on the Smith Family's hospitality."
Emily Lan, holding onto her daughter Iris's arm, retorted, "Hospitality? I haven't ever seen you treat me with any respect, Kaitlyn."
Kaitlyn Lan wasn't at all welcoming to the mother and daughter, as they never got along, and their uninvited visit must have an ulterior motive!
Not wanting to entertain Emily's charade any further, Kaitlyn replied, "A true gentleman is aware of their limits."
"Now, Kaitlyn, that's just plain rude!" Emily Lan's face turned sour.
Iris hurriedly tugged her mother's arm, lowering her voice, "Mom, have you forgotten why we came here?"
"Ah, you're right. Let's get to the matter at hand."
Emily Lan quickly resumed her concerned facade, "Kaitlyn, I heard that Lyra's got herself into some trouble. As her aunt, I've always loved her like my own daughter. Now that she's in trouble, I couldn't just turn a blind eye."
She then turned to Lyra, who was standing behind Kaitlyn, "Lyra, I'm glad you're here. Just tell me what happened. Don't worry; the Smiths have a respectable standing in these parts, and even if that's not sufficient, the Mitchell Family can help. If you've been wronged, just say the word, and 'Auntie' here will make things right."
Kaitlyn Lan glanced at Lyra, who was standing beside her.
Lyra guiltily turned away, biting her lip and fiddling with her fingers.
Frowning, Kaitlyn Lan said, "My daughter's issues should be addressed by me first, as her mother. I don't see the need for you to dictate what to do."
"You don't know? Tsk, tsk—I'm guessing you also didn't know that Lyra didn't come home last night?" Emily Lan intentionally raised her voice.
Kaitlyn Lan: "..."
The maid polishing the vase nearby slowed her work.
Kaitlyn Lan glanced at her, "Go to the servant's quarters."
The maid nodded and hurried away.
Now only the four of them remained in the living room.
Kaitlyn Lan didn't immediately ask Lyra what had happened; instead, she confronted Emily Lan head-on, "Emily Lan, you arrive unannounced, accuse my daughter of being in trouble when she's standing right here safe and sound, and then address her as your niece one moment and curse her the next. What kind of an aunt are you?"
Emily Lan defended herself, "I'm not cursing anyone. It's clear as day that you failed to raise a good daughter who behaves inappropriately behind closed doors. It's your fault that your daughter has gotten herself into this mess. You've heard the saying: 'A doting mother raises a wayward child.' You'd better ready yourself for the Jackson Family coming after you!"
Jackson Family?
Settle the score?
It wasn't until she heard 'Jackson Family' that Kaitlyn Lan finally turned to Lyra and asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened?"
Lyra clenched her jaw and didn't respond.
Seeing this, Iris Mitchell couldn't help but gloat. She moved closer to Lyra, putting on a pitying expression, "Lyra, Erwin Jackson is such an outstanding man, yet you still cheated on him. I'm just curious—who could possibly compare to Erwin Jackson?"
Lyra had no patience for Iris Mitchell's attitude and quipped, "What about Morris Jackson?"