Brea silently hoped Lyndon wouldn't become too involved with her.

Then, she sat down with Sheldon.

"Rita, your actions were both brave and gracious. On behalf of my son, I thank you."

Rita responded quickly, "Please, Mrs. Fernandez, there's no need for gratitude. What I did pales in comparison to the generosity Lyndon has shown me."

Brea continued, her smile unwavering, "You're very thoughtful. Are you seeing anyone?"

Rita responded gently, "I haven't been involved with anyone yet."

Brea gave a nod of approval. "You strike me as a young woman with strong principles, unlike some today who leverage their beauty to infiltrate high society. If they can't secure a place as a proper wife, they settle for being a mistress. Honestly, I find it quite disgraceful."

Rita's smile wavered at Brea's words, her eyes darting toward her.

Brea sat with poise, cradling Sheldon beside her, her expression serene as if she were merely making small talk.

Yet Rita couldn't shake the sense that Brea's remarks were aimed directly at her.

Brea continued, locking eyes with her. "Rita, you're young. What do you think drives these young women to willingly become mistresses? Is it just for fleeting benefits? Don't they have any self-respect? Do they not see that beauty fades over time? When they age and have kids, won't they feel ashamed facing them? Will their children respect a mother with such a past? How will those kids hold their heads up in society?"

Her voice remained composed, carrying the refined air of an elite matriarch, but each syllable seemed to prod at Rita's vulnerabilities.

Rita wondered if becoming Lyndon's mistress would lead to the very scenarios Brea described.

Beyond the issue of children, she thought of her hometown, where gossip thrived.

If word spread that she had wrecked a marriage, the whispers and judgment would be relentless.

Rita's gaze flickered, struggling to muster a response. She managed a strained smile.

Brea offered a subtle smile in return. "I've probably been indulging in too many dramas lately, getting a bit talkative. Tell me, Rita, what kind of man catches your eye? Lyndon's company is full of promising young men. Perhaps he could make an introduction."

Rita lowered her eyes, keeping her composure. "I'm not focused on romance right now. I'll consider it once I'm settled in my career."

Brea nodded approvingly. "That's wise. Young people should prioritize their ambitions. You're very level-headed."

"Thank you," Rita replied politely.

From his hospital bed, Lyndon listened to his mother's subtle jabs, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

He knew his mother well—her words were a deliberate caution to Rita, spoken on Tilda's behalf.

Her heart was in the right place, but Lyndon wondered if Tilda truly grasped her mother-in-law's protective intent.

His eyes drifted to Tilda, who sat quietly beside Sheldon, lost in her thoughts.