shuhaige
Chapter 1676
Mrs. Lucas smiled faintly, her voice steady. "As long as she treats us well, that's all that matters. After all these years, I've stopped chasing after perfection."
"Can love put food on the table?" Mrs. Hughes lowered her voice, leaning in. "It's always best to find someone equally matched. Take my daughter, for example. Raised in a family of scholars, educated in arts and literature, and now she's grown into a stunning young woman." "Really? I haven't had the chance to meet her yet, but if she's anything like her mother, I'm sure she's very beautiful." Mrs. Lucas responded with a polite compliment.
Mrs. Hughes seemed momentarily pleased, but when Mrs. Lucas didn't take the bait, she sighed inwardly, feeling a bit deflated. Just as she was about to push the conversation further, Jamie walked in from the hall.
"Oh, you're back already?" Mrs. Hughes said, trying to mask her disappointment with a polite smile.
"Ben's firm is busy," Jamie replied coolly as she gathered a few items from the table.
As Jamie headed out, she wasn't surprised when Mrs. Hughes followed her.
"Jamie, do you have a moment?" Mrs. Hughes asked, her tone suddenly sharper.
Jamie turned to look at her. "Is there something you'd like to say, Mrs. Hughes?"
Mrs. Hughes glanced around, then gestured toward her room. "Let's talk privately. It's more comfortable in there."
After a moment's hesitation, Jamie nodded. Once inside, Mrs. Hughes dropped her polite facade, her eyes scanning Jamie with a judgmental gaze.
"I've looked into your background. It seems you come from rather humble beginnings."
Jamie's gaze hardened slightly. "And what of it?"
Mrs. Hughes straightened in her chair, exuding the air of wealth and entitlement. "If your mother-in-law truly didn't have any reservations about you, why would she say what she did to me? Wealthy men-they might have their fun with a few women, but the one they choose to stand by their side is always their equal, someone who can match them in every way."
Jamie let out a dry laugh, her expression calm but sharp. "And what exactly are you implying?"
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Mrs. Hughes smirked, her tone dripping with condescension. "I'm saying, take the opportunity while you can. I'll give you a generous sum of money to step aside and vacate the position. I promise, it'll be the best deal you'll ever get."
"Are people just bargaining chips in your world?" Jamie shot back, her voice icy.
"Women like you always latch onto wealthy men for money. You can try to deny it, but I've seen too many times," Mrs. Hughes replied with a disdainful huff.
Jamie didn't take the bait. Instead, she calmly asked, "Do you know why my mother-in-law is in the hospital?"
"What does that have to do with our conversation?"
"Everything." Jamie's gaze was steady, her tone sharp. "She threw herself in front of a knife-wielding maniae to protect me. If she didn't approve of me, why would she risk her life for mine?"
Mrs. Hughes faltered, clearly taken aback. "I... That..."
Jamie didn't wait for her to recover. "If you think your daughter can win Ben's heart, you're welcome to try. But don't waste my time." With a final, confident smile, she stood and left the room. noveldrama
Mrs. Hughes remained frozen, speechless for once.
Back in the hospital room, Jamie set down a kettle of hot water as Mrs. Lucas straightened up with a sigh. "This hospital stay is getting unbearable."
"Mom, your wound hasn't healed yet. Let's give it a couple more days," Jamie coaxed gently.
Mrs. Lucas frowned thoughtfully. "That Mrs. Hughes was fine at first, but today, she was full of nonsense."
Jamie chuckled. "Well, if you really want to leave, I'll handle the discharge papers."