"Ethan is Ethan, and the Sterling family is the Sterling family," Grace Harper said, adjusting Claire's dress. "Just because you ended things with Ethan doesn't mean we have to cut ties with everyone we know, does it?"
Claire remained silent.
In truth, ever since the Harper family's bankruptcy, they had drifted apart from their old social circle. It was uncomfortable for the wealthy and the struggling to mix, and Claire had initially struggled to accept the gap. Over time, however, she had come to terms with reality.
Sometimes Claire felt her mother, Grace, had a stronger mindset than she did.
Grace never seemed to think that the Harpers' financial ruin meant they had to sever ties with their former connections.
After the authorities declared Charles Harper's death, Grace had found a new partner. Richard Taylor's business was no less successful than Charles's had been, which gave Grace the social standing to attend events like these again. Of course, Grace still had to endure occasional snide remarks about the Harper family's debts or questions about how she managed her blended family. Such remarks were filled with malice, yet Grace had always endured them with composure.
"Mom," Claire suddenly asked, "were you upset about my breakup with Ethan?"
Grace sighed. "I'm more regretful than upset."
Ending the engagement with Ethan wasn't Claire's worst decision. What had truly caught Grace off guard was Claire's sudden marriage to her high school senior.
But what was done was done. Grace was more heartbroken for her daughter than angry with her.
Young people make mistakes—that's normal.
As a parent, it was her responsibility to help fix them.
"Let's not dwell on it," Grace said. "I heard Ethan's uncle, David Sterling, might attend tonight's party. If we see him, we must seize the opportunity to thank him."
David was Ethan's second uncle and had once helped in the search for Charles Harper.
Claire nodded. "It's only right to thank him."
---
As Claire and Grace entered the Sterling family estate, the atmosphere was particularly lively. Before they could spot David, they encountered Ethan's mother.
As the youngest of the Sterling wives, her title was now "Mrs. Sterling the Third."
Her face darkened the moment she saw Claire. Dropping her conversation mid-sentence, she strode over. "Claire Harper, what are you doing here?"
Tonight, many had already inquired about Claire and Ethan's broken engagement.
For Mrs. Sterling, letting go of a debt-laden daughter-in-law was a relief. However, upon learning that Claire had swiftly married another man after the breakup, her relief had turned to fury.
In her mind, Claire had betrayed Ethan.
Grace stepped forward to shield Claire. "We're guests of Mrs. Sterling the Second."
Ethan might be Ethan, but the Sterling family was the Sterling family.
Ethan's family had long been financially independent of the others. Mrs. Sterling the Third had no authority here.
While Mrs. Sterling despised Claire, Grace harbored even greater disdain for Mrs. Sterling.
Who had once bragged about Claire being the ideal daughter-in-law? Who had repeatedly told others that Ethan and Claire were a match made in heaven?
But the moment the Harpers declared bankruptcy, the same woman had started showing Claire her true colors.
If not for the setting, Grace would have loved to slap Mrs. Sterling.
With no need to maintain civility, Grace saw no reason to tolerate her any longer.
"You—you—"
"Enough," Grace cut her off. "We're going to greet Mrs. Sterling the Second. Kindly step aside."
Taking Claire by the arm, Grace brushed past, leaving Mrs. Sterling fuming in place.
Claire stifled a laugh. "Mom, you've got her wrapped around your finger."
"Of course," Grace said with a smirk. "She has an image to maintain and wouldn't dare make a scene here."
Grace led Claire to David Sterling's wife.
Mrs. Sterling the Second was a plump woman dressed in a deep purple cheongsam, adorned with a string of pearls. Though she appeared less affluent than Ethan's mother, the crowd surrounding her was several times larger.
"You've come! This must be Claire. My, you've grown even more beautiful!"
Mrs. Sterling the Second warmly held Claire's hands, drawing attention from the nearby guests.
Many were aware of Claire's broken engagement and were surprised to see her at the Sterling estate.
Some attempted to pry information from Grace.
Rather than badmouth Ethan, Grace summarized the situation concisely: "They just weren't right for each other."
"Our family's circumstances have changed," she added. "A mismatch wouldn't bring happiness."
By openly addressing the issue, Grace left no room for further speculation.
Some even sympathized with Claire's situation, taking her hand and suggesting she meet new people. "Young people should socialize more—you never know when you might meet someone special."
Claire grew suspicious. Could this be the real reason Grace insisted on coming tonight?
Just as she was about to explain that she was already married, Grace preempted her. "It's true, she's moved on to someone more suited for her. She's now happily married to a senior from her school days."
Claire was stunned.
Mrs. Sterling the Second, however, nodded approvingly.
Grace's decisive intervention was a display of maternal love.
Breaking off the engagement with Ethan wasn't a scandal. Young people break up all the time. But Claire's swift marriage had left room for others to question her character. By openly acknowledging the marriage, Grace steered the narrative away from scandal and toward a narrative of youthful impulsiveness.
Now, others would think Claire had acted out of frustration with Ethan's family, rather than suspecting infidelity or dishonesty.
Grace had carefully paved a path for Claire's reputation to recover.
To Grace, it didn't matter who Claire was currently married to. What mattered was keeping her options open for the future. After all, beautiful women often get second chances.
Feeling uneasy, Claire gently tugged on Grace's sleeve. "Mom—"
"Claire, look over there," Grace interrupted, pointing toward a familiar figure.
It was the wife of Mr. Wang, one of the Harpers' major creditors.
Mrs. Wang was also at the Sterling estate tonight.
"Are we going to talk to her?" Claire asked.
Grace shook her head. "No need. It's enough for her to see us here."
Claire recalled Ethan's words from the day before:
*"If anyone asks me, I'll confirm that you're no longer connected to the Sterlings."*
She had braced herself for her creditors to start pressuring her. But Grace had already devised a solution—ensuring the creditors saw that Claire was still attending high-profile events and had not fallen out of favor with the Sterlings.
This would buy Claire some breathing room.
Claire's eyes misted with gratitude.
She wanted her mother to find happiness, yet her mother was quietly strategizing for her instead.
Just as Claire was moved by Grace's love, there was a commotion at the entrance of the ballroom.
Jiang Ziyan, representing Huahu Tech, had arrived as an honored guest of the Sterlings.
While Claire and Grace's arrival had caught the attention of a few ladies, Jiang's presence drew a crowd of Sterling family men.
Even Ethan's uncle David stepped forward to personally greet Jiang.
"Is that—"
"Yes, I recognize him. He's been in the news frequently. The CEO of Huahu Tech!"
"Does Huahu have ties with the Sterlings?"
"Does it matter? To establish themselves in South City, they'd have to pay respects to the Sterlings anyway."
*Huahu's CEO?*
Claire's eyes widened in disbelief.
Nathan had said he would be attending a work event with his boss. Could it really be here?
Amid the crowd surrounding Jiang, Claire spotted a familiar figure.
It was Nathan.
She resisted the urge to approach him, not wanting to interrupt his work.
But a quiet sense of pride and excitement swelled within her. Nathan must be highly valued by his boss to accompany him to such an event.