Marrying my secret admirer after my husband's fake death novel Chapter 101

Justin seemed to sense what was happening. He shot a look sideways and murmured, “Just eat. Don’t pay attention to what they’re saying–I’ll handle it.”

Then he turned his gaze on Candida. “Only people who buy knockoffs all the time assume everyone else is carrying one too, right? Just like that purse you’re holding–isn’t that right, Aunt Candida?”

His words, sharp and effortless, made Candida flush a deep red. She was left speechless.

Watching Candida, who’d always been snobbish yet clueless, suddenly put in her place, Edith’s appetite came rushing back.

She found herself genuinely impressed by Justin. Leaning in, she whispered in his ear, “How did you know Candida’s bag was fake? Are you secretly into designer brands or something?”

Edith had gotten a little too close, her breath warm against his ear. The intimate gesture caught Justin off guard; for a moment, he struggled to keep his composure.

He furrowed his brow, but quickly regained his cool. In a low voice, he replied, “I’m no expert, but come on–even basic common sense would tell you that bag’s way over the top. Candida’s the type who brags about her son making six figures a year–do you really think she’d splurge on a bag that costs a quarter–million dollars?”

Edith nearly choked on her bite of sweet and sour ribs.

Candida really was something–brazen enough to carry it anyway.

Candida, meanwhile, was so thoroughly put in her place by Justin’s words that she couldn’t manage a single comeback.

It was Rosie who broke the silence with a couple of awkward coughs, trying to salvage her mother–in–law’s dignity. “She’s getting older, and honestly, what does it matter what kind of bag she carries? Maybe she

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Chapter 101

just liked the style–it’s not that deep. You don’t have to be so harsh with someone her age.”

Justin let out a cold laugh and gently squeezed Edith’s hand. His tone was calm but cutting. “Funny how you all say we should be gentle with older folks, but I guess you think my future mother–in–law is too young for that courtesy? Otherwise, why do you treat her the way you do? You gang up on her, make her do everything, and never miss a chance to belittle and criticize her. Is that not even worse than being harsh?”

Gideon and his family glanced at each other, clearly caught off guard. None of them had expected Edith’s new husband to be such a formidable

opponent.

It felt like a one–man debate team taking down the whole room.

Realizing they’d only embarrass themselves by staying any longer, the whole crew made a hasty, sheepish exit–leaving their dinner untouched.

Edith finally let out a sigh of relief, feeling some of the years–long burden from The Sumner family’s constant jabs and bullying start to lift.

But when she looked at the table, she hesitated, frowning at the spread.

“My mom made all of this–it’s her specialty. It’s delicious, but I can’t eat

another bite.”

!

She’d always had a small appetite.

Back when she was living with the Vance family, Heather used to complain that she hardly ate anything, claiming she was so skinny she’d never be able to have children.

Heather accused her of caring more about staying slim to please men than about doing anything worthwhile for the Vance family.

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