Always busy with work, this kind of thing would only add to her stress. Besides, Jemia was intolerable, even if she was desperate to fit into the Frank family. After some deliberation, Wendy called Zelda back. "Mas, Frank, I've already gone to the police to—"

Before she could finish, Wendy interrupted, "They won't take you seriously. The hospital dropped the case, and he wasn't seriously hurt. What happened is a minor issue; we can address it once everything is settled. Stay and help raise Ethan."

There was a long silence before Zelda finally spoke. "Are you still willing to give me a chance?" Her voice trembled with emotion. Wendy's expression remained neutral. "That's what will help you sleep at night, right?" Zelda let out a sigh. "I can find a way to convince him to let me come back."

"Relax. As long as you don't say anything, you'll be able to go back."

"Neither will I. And Jenna certainly won't admit that her mother gave you money to disappear after taking the fall."

The Frank residence was likely already in chaos. Wendy had heard that Celeste had been particularly sensitive lately; no matter how many times they tried to reassure her, it didn't seem likely that her mood would improve any time soon. Wendy understood this from the few distraught hours she had spent around them. Zelda agreed without hesitation. "I'll do what you say. You must still care about Ethan. He's just a child—I hope you'll come home soon."

At those words, the distant look on Wendy's face instantly turned cold. Her voice was calm but firm. "This is nothing more than the last bit of congratulations, Zelda. You don't need to tell me anything about your plans. If you do, I will hold you accountable and won't be so lenient next time."

Wendy left for the ballroom. From now on, unless it was a matter of life or death, she would remain focused on resolving the issues at hand. Finally, she let out a long breath. The pounding headache she had been experiencing began to ease a little.

She needed to rest early; tomorrow night, she would be walking into a battlefield at Frank Manor. Frank Manor was brightly lit, glowing like daytime. The guests arrived one by one, and Delilah stood at the entrance, personally greeting each one. Everyone invited was influential, scrutinized by the slightest hint of suspicion. It wasn't until a black Alphard pulled up at the entrance and a man and woman stepped out that Delilah walked over and took the woman's hand.

She spoke in a clipped tone, "What took you so long? I told you to cancel your work today. Now go help out; there are a lot of guests tonight." As always, Delilah did not hesitate to undermine anyone. Overly familiar, she gripped her tightly and pulled herself along into the courtyard, chatting and exchanging pleasantries. It was precisely the kind of scene Wendy despised.

Wendy had barely taken a few steps when she felt the warmth of Delilah's fingertips on her back. Turning back in confusion, she asked, "Is something wrong?"

"You don’t need to help out. You're one of the hostesses of the Frank family," James interjected, turning to Delilah. "Wendy isn't a helper. Ordering her around here is one thing, but doing it in front of all these guests? Do you want people thinking I married a maid instead of a wife?"

Delilah was momentarily taken aback, surprise flashing across her eyes.

Wendy let out a short laugh, drawing their attention. Delilah, clearly annoyed by James's words, directed her frustration toward Wendy. She frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"Oh, nothing. I'll go check on Grandpa," Wendy replied with a forced smile, though the sarcasm in her eyes was unmistakable. From the day she married into the Frank family, Delilah had never treated her kindly.

She constantly criticized Wendy for being useless to the Frank family—a mere doctor who knew nothing about business and could offer no help to James. Every time they returned to Frank Manor, Delilah treated her like a maid. Wendy had tolerated it in the past to keep the peace. James never stood up for her, either—he seemed to accept her place in the family without question. But tonight, for once, he had defended her.

Although his protection felt lofty and condescending, almost like charity, it was still something he had never done before. As Wendy walked toward the house, Delilah scowled. "James, just look at how spoiled she's become." James didn't respond and went to greet the guests alongside Henry. His silence only deepened Delilah's displeasure, as she blamed it all on Wendy, convinced that Wendy had grown arrogant from being favored.

Upstairs, in the master bedroom, Robert sat in a wheelchair with Ethan perched on his lap, happily fiddling with the knot of his tie. "Grandpa," Wendy greeted as a maid led her in. Robert looked up with a wide smile. "You're back—Ethan's been whispering to me about all the terrible things you've done." Ethan had been sent back a couple of hours ago. Now, nestled in Robert's lap, he didn't even glance at Wendy.

Wendy forced a polite smile and stepped forward. "I've been busy at the hospital these past few days and haven't been home. It's natural for Ethan to be upset with me." It wasn't really for Ethan's sake—it was more to appease Robert. Ethan turned away with a pout. "Mommy is lying. Auntie Jenna said Mommy doesn't want me anymore."

Robert's expression darkened. He looked at Ethan seriously. "You mustn't say such things. How could your mother not want you? Who told you that?"

"That's someone with bad intentions," he said, startled. Ethan looked up at him with wide eyes. Realizing he had spoken too harshly, Robert softened his tone and smiled. "You shouldn't listen to people who speak badly about your mother. Anyone who does isn't a good person, understood?"

"That's not true!" Ethan climbed off Robert's lap with a pout. "Auntie Jenna isn't a bad person. Daddy and I both like her. Does that mean Daddy and I are bad people?"

The words hit Wendy like a punch to the gut. Her heart sank. She quickly snapped, "Ethan, don't say such foolish things. You'll upset your grandfather."

Ethan finally looked at her for the first time that evening. "Mommy, you be the bad person!" Wendy was taken aback; she hadn't expected those to be the first words out of his mouth after days apart. But before she could respond, Ethan had already bolted from the room.

Wendy quickly rushed after him. Hubert said angrily, "Where's Ethan? He came to see me! I need to ask him what kind of nonsense he's been learning from you!"

Wendy snapped back to reality at Robert's outburst. She walked over and gently laid a blanket over his legs. "James just arrived. He's greeting the guests on your behalf. He'll be up soon," she said with a soft smile, crouching beside him.

Among all the elders in the Frank family, the only one who had never criticized her was Robert, to whom she had blood ties. Wendy's respect and gratitude for him came from the heart. She was genuinely thankful for the kindness he had shown her over the years.

Robert sighed. "Wendy, I know things haven't been easy for you in this family. It's not as glamorous as it looks on the outside. I've seen it all."

Wendy didn't want to upset him. She also hadn't forgotten why she had come to Frank Manor with James tonight. She gently took his hand and said sweetly, "Grandpa, you don't need to worry. I'm doing fine, and James treats me well. More than anything, I have you. Your love and support mean everything to me. If I were struggling as much as you say, I would have left long ago."

Her words made Robert laugh out loud, and the tension in the room vanished.

Outside the door, which was slightly ajar, stood James. He heard every word. His fingers tightened slightly around the doorknob. Wendy had said similar things before, but they had never resonated with him quite like this. He frowned. Knowing she was saving those words just to comfort Robert still made something twist painfully in his chest.

"Mr. Frank, why are you just standing here? It's just Mr. Frank Senior and Mrs. Frank inside," a maid suddenly appeared, pushing the door open while carrying a tea set.

Caught, James had no choice but to collect himself and step in, smoothing over his expression. "Of course," Robert supported in response. "Ethan is a bright child, and he's at the age where he absorbs everything. If I ever catch wind of him being exposed to the wrong things again, don't blame me for pulling the seniority card." The warning in his voice was sharp and clear.

James stepped closer. "Don't worry. Once Wendy returns home, Ethan won't act out like this anymore!"

Wendy stood to the side. When she heard that, she said nothing, but her expression changed slightly. She wasn't stupid; she knew exactly what he meant. He was telling her that if she came back, Ethan would stop siding with Jenna. No matter how soft his tone was or how carefully he laid out a path for her, perhaps it would have made her waver if she had heard that a week ago. But not anymore.

This time, she wasn’t buying any of it. Robert scowled. "You think Ethan's just being spoiled? You think he learned that on his own? Kids only act up when the adults around them teach them the wrong behaviors."

James sighed and released the brakes on the wheelchair. As he began to push Robert down the hallway, he said calmly, "Let's not talk about this tonight. It's your birthday—leave the worries for another day. Let me take you downstairs to join the fun."

As they passed Wendy, he glanced at her and said, "Wendy, stay by Grandpa's side tonight." She nodded and silently followed on the other side of the wheelchair, where she noticed the faint smile on Robert's face. She understood perfectly that in Robert's eyes, James saying that was a sign of care and affection for her. By keeping her close to Robert all night, James ensured that Delilah wouldn't have another chance to make Wendy's life difficult.