Chapter 1302:

At the mention of Torin, Wesley’s whole demeanor shifted. His stare turned cold, and the atmosphere grew tense. He twisted the family ring on his finger slowly. His voice dropped to a frosty calm. “That’s none of your concern.”

Gerald, frustrated beyond belief, jabbed a finger toward him. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

Wesley stood up, his eyes cold and firm. His presence was so strong that it even overshadowed Gerald’s. In a calm but serious tone, he said, “I love Elena, and nothing you say will stop me from marrying her.”

That pushed Gerald over the edge. The grandson he had raised was now going against him—all for a woman.

Gerald had once liked Elena, even looked forward to welcoming her into the family. But that was before the rumors. No matter how capable or graceful she seemed, if her past was in question, she couldn’t be part of the Spencer household.

Meanwhile, back in the living room, another confrontation was brewing. Zoie, holding a cup of coffee, glanced at Elena with clear disdain. “Doesn’t even know how to greet her elders. That says a lot.”

Lawrence, who had never hidden his dislike for Wesley, wasn’t about to play nice with Elena either.

Elena didn’t give them much attention. She looked around the room with a cool, indifferent gaze, unbothered.

Zoie set her cup down with a quiet clink, then crossed her arms and said with a smug expression, “I’m Wesley’s stepmother. If you really want to be part of this family, you’d better show me some respect. But honestly, with a reputation like yours, you might as well stop dreaming. We don’t welcome women like you.”

Lawrence chimed in mockingly, “Someone who lacks basic dignity isn’t fit to carry our family’s name.”

Elena’s lips twitched into a sarcastic smile. The second Wesley stepped out, the fake friendliness from these two disappeared like a mask falling off. She knew all too well who they were. Lawrence had cheated on his wife and barely acted like a father. Zoie? She was the homewrecker who had barged into their lives and helped tear Wesley’s family apart. And now they had the nerve to look down on her?

Elena didn’t let any of it get under her skin. “Say whatever you want, but I won’t sit here and let you throw dirt on my name.”

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Zoie scoffed, clearly unimpressed. “You can deny it all day, but the stories are out there. You think people haven’t heard about your little history with the Duke of Blackwood? Gerald won’t overlook that. No matter how much you try, this marriage won’t happen. You’re not going to be accepted.”

Zoie had long harbored the urge to confront Elena, that cunning temptress. If it hadn’t been for Elena, would Theo have ever ended up suffering in a backwater place like Tauledo?

Zoie had never let go of that grudge. Now, Elena had wormed her way into Wesley’s life as his girlfriend. The bitterness she carried only festered.

Old hatred mixed with fresh anger, sharpening Zoie’s words into poison. “Explain to me—how is a woman like you, who’s been with so many men, any different from a cheap prostitute? I’ve seen your type everywhere. You cling to anyone who shows you the slightest attention, ready to pounce on the next opportunity. Women as shameless and greedy as you have no place in the Spencer family. You’re not even worthy to serve me.”

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