Bianca’s words left Ste speechless.


    Ste would never admit that she had a daughter-inw like Meredith.


    With a coldugh, Ste said, “No matter what, I will not let such a daughter-inw enter our family. I’m just stating the facts, not targeting anyone.”


    Meredith had experienced Ste’s disdain and insults, so she was prepared for Ste’s sarcasm. Meeting Ste’s gaze firmly, Meredith replied with neither humility nor arrogance, “Mrs. Sterling, whether you like it or not doesn’t matter. As long as my husband and thew recognize our rtionship, that’s enough.”


    Her words implied that Ste had no control over Terrence Sterling. Now that she and Terrence were legally married, it was an unchangeable fact.


    This infuriated Ste so much that her face turned ashen. Bianca, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, “Meredith, you should prepare the final documents for the Southwesterly Meadows project and send them to my email this afternoon.”


    “Yes, Mrs. Chaucer,” Meredith replied, understanding that Bianca was deliberately giving her an out.


    Meredith did not want to endure Ste’s scorn any longer. She feared identally causing Ste serious upset, which she wouldn’t be able to exin to Terrence Sterling.


    After Meredith left, Bianca poured Ste a cup of tea and said, “Have some tea, cool down. Why are you so upset today? Do you know Meredith?”


    “I don’t,” Ste firmly denied.


    Bianca, observant of Ste’s reactions,mented, “From what you just said, it sounds like you definitely know her. You seem to have a big issue with her.”N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    “I just don’t like her type of woman. She relies on her looks, always aiming to marry into a wealthy family without any self-awareness,” Ste continued to belittle, adding, “How long can beautyst? She thinks she can live off her youth? I’ve seen too many women like her. Maybe you don’t want to hear this, but I have an excellent son, and naturally, there are many women who try their luck with him, all of whom I’ve dismissed. But my son knows better than to entertain these women.”


    Bianca disagreed, saying, “There are such women, but you can’t lump everyone together. Meredith has been working at mypany for six months now, and she’s a good girl-diligent,petent, kind-hearted. Any man who marries her would be lucky. I just wish I had a son; I would be more than happy to have a daughter-inw like Meredith.”


    Ste didn’t want to hear this. “That’s all an act. I can see right through that girl. Anyway, I wouldn’t want someone like her in the Sterling family.”


    Bianca smiled slightly, “Just calm down. Meredith is already married. She won’t be entering your Sterling family.”


    Hearing this, Ste felt as if her heart was stuffed with cotton. Meredith was married, but her spouse was Terrence Sterling-she was already part of the Sterling family. Luckily, Meredith hadn’t revealed whom she married, or Ste would have been even more unforgiving.


    …


    Meredith stepped out of Mrs. Chaucer’s office to get some air in the hallway.


    Despite being prepared, Ste’s words still affected her.


    She hadn’t informed Terrence Sterling about this, as it was a matter between her and Ste, and involving Terrence would only make Ste dislike her more.


    She had to handle the mother-inw and daughter-inw conflict herself; she couldn’t always hide behind Terrence Sterling.


    Just then, Meredith heard amotion from the office area. Peeking out, she saw Ruby returning.


    No wonder there was such a stir.


    Ruby was there to collect her belongings, carrying a small cardboard box with items from her previous job, including photos of her parents.


    That was the real reason Ruby hade back for these items. The employees didn’t dare crowd around her, automatically clearing a path for her.


    Ruby, holding the cardboard box, initially headed towards the elevator but then turned towards Meredith and said, “Meredith, thank you.”


    With that, Ruby bowed deeply to Meredith. Being able to stand here was thanks to Meredith.


    Meredith asked, “What are you doing here?”


    She thought Ruby would be at the police station.


    Ruby exined, “Bianca dropped the charges and bailed me out.”


    As long as Bianca could persuade Joy Chaucer not to press charges and use her connections to downy the incident, Ruby would be fine.


    Meredith expressed her concern, “What are you nning to do now?”


    Ruby looked down at the photo of her parents in the box, a sad look in her eyes, “Live well. I have to stay alive to see Joy Chaucer’s retribution.”


    “Ruby, you…” Meredith thought Ruby would let go of her grudges.


    Ruby scoffed, “Their small favors can’tpensate for a deep-seated vendetta. Their repentance is nothing but crocodile tears, Meredith. Be careful around Joy Chaucer; she would do just anything.”