Brittany and Ida had been locked in a bitter struggle for years, and her


    rtionship with Horace had retained frozen in a tense stalemate, yielding no progress.


    But as soon as Wendy appeared, her subtle strategy immediately shifted the bnce, unraveling all the tangled ties between


    everyone.


    With her gentle grace and sharp intellect, Wendy truly felt like a little angel, someone impossible not to love.


    Brittany looked at Wendy. "We''ve only met once, but you''ve helped me like this. Why? Why are you helping me?"


    Wendy smiled softly. "Even though we''ve only met once, I like you very much, so of course, I''m happy to help you. But I should warn you there''s some personal history between me and your daughter, Jessica. If she sees us together, she''s likely to react very strongly."


    Brittany thought about how different Jessica and Wendy were.


    Jessica was spoiled and headstrong, always demanding top luxury brands, which often frustrated Brittany to no end. Yet Wendy not only treated her illness, but also came up with ns to help her


    Jessica was Brittany''s biological daughter, but she couldn''t hold a candle to Wendy.


    In her heart, Brittany even found herself wishing Wendy were her daughter instead.


    "You''re my lifesaver! As long as I''m around, I promise Jessica won''t get away with throwing tantrums or bullying you."


    Hearing this, Wendy rxed. "Let''s wait and see how this drama unfolds."


    The real show was about to begin.


    Horace returned to the vi, and Ida immediately stepped forward. "You''re back."


    Jessica came up as well. "Dad, you''re home!"


    Horace looked at Jessica. "Why did you run off today? Do you know that your mom nearly copsed after you disappeared?"


    Jessica didn''t like Brittany one bit. Rather, she actually hated Brittany.


    "I don''t think she cares about me or feels sorry for me! It really hurts. I grew up without a mother. I thought when she came back, she''d be good to me, but she''s only let me down."


    She pinched her arm hard enough to draw two small tears.


    Ida immediatelyforted her, "Hey, don''t cry. It''s okay. You still have me. I''ll be good to you."


    Jessica hugged Ida tightly. "Dad, I want Ms. Olsen to be my mom.)


    "What..." Ida nced shyly and hopefully at Horace,


    Horace''s handsome face darkened, and he scolded sharply, "That''s nonsense! Jessica, you only have one mother-Brittany. I don''t want to hear that kind of talk again!"


    Jessica and Ida both stiffened.


    Ida''s face went pale. "Jessica was just saying that. Don''t take it seriously..."


    She shot Jessica a warning nce.


    Jessica immediately spoke again.


    "Dad, I really want Ms. Olsen to be my mom! She''s been by your side all these years. You know she''s already in her early forties;


    she''s spent the best years of her life supporting you. Aren''t you going to give her the status she deserves? My mom sent me away back then and then selfishly left, abandoning both of us. Only Mselsen has never left. You have to marry her, so the three of us can be a family!"


    Without warning, Horace raised his hand and pped Jessica across the face with a loud smack.


    Jessica''s head jerked to the side, leaving her stunned and speechless.


    She had made so many mistakes before, but Horace had never dare toy a finger on her.


    Yet now, he had just struck her.