Chapter 18

“Julian, why are you standing there? Come in quickly,” Madam Shaw said.

Julian walked over with Susan while Charlotte stood there as pale as a ghost, unable to show any expression on her face.

Although she only dated Julian for a short period of time, she always thought that she was different compared to all of his other women.

If it was fated for him to have a Mrs. Shaw, why could she not be that person?

Three years of constant self-cultivation finally saw her return to capture this man’s heart. She had thought of a million scenarios of their meeting. However, none of them matched what was in front of her eyes.

Julian had actually gotten himself a wife.

Now, he was standing in front of her with his wife! The worst part was that she had boasted to Susan the day before.

Now, Charlotte felt her face hurt at the thought of the words she said.

Was she not now...the wild woman?

Her expression seemed awful.

If there was a hole in the ground, she would have crawled into it.

“You have done well these few days.” Madam Shaw looked at Susan while saying blandly, “I heard that Julian has been well-behaved these few days.”

“Yes, he has.” Susan straightened her back.

Madam Shaw was a strict woman and reminded Susan of her disciplinary teacher, so she would stiffen while facing the older woman.

“Why are you so nervous? Am I going to devour you?” Madam Shaw frowned. “You can take the girl out of the village but you can never take the village out of the girl!”

She never really liked Susan. After all, her family background could not even compare to a normal household.

She had a sickly elder brother. That brother of hers had cardiovascular and mental problems, but it was unknown if it was hereditary.

If not for the fortune teller that said that Susan’s date of birth matched Julian’s and would act as a disaster prevention measure for him, she would not have ever wanted a daughter-in-law like Susan.

However, since Susan got married to Julian, his wild ways had improved. That was why she tolerated Susan’s existence.

Susan was used to Madam Shaw’s dissatisfaction, so she could only lower her head. She was grateful for the older woman no matter what. If not for her, Susan’s elder brother would have lost his life. As long as it could save her elder brother’s life, a few harsh words meant nothing.

Susan’s obedience annoyed Madam Shaw further. She complained, “Charlotte, look at my daughter-in-law. She looks pitiful all the time like I bullied her. Tell me, am I really that frightening?”

Madam Shaw’s words made some color return to Charlotte’s face. It seemed like Madam Shaw was not satisfied with Susan. That meant that she stood a chance!

Charlotte broke into a smile and walked over to Madam Shaw as she chuckled, “Aunty, you’re so warm and nice. The word ‘frightening’ doesn’t exist anywhere near you.”

She laughed and continued talking as Madam Shaw continued to show affection towards her. Then, Madam Shaw looked at Susan and lectured, “Please learn these good traits from others.”

Susan’s head bowed down and said softly, “Yes.”

With the ambiance being so awkward, Julian frowned and said, “Mom, don’t keep giving lessons. Where’s dinner?”

“Let’s eat since you’re hungry.” Madam Shaw looked at Charlotte. “Charlotte, please stay and have a meal with us.”

“I don’t think that’s convenient…” Charlotte peered at Julian and pretended to be shy.

“What’s not convenient? Unless you’re complaining about our family’s dishes are too simple for you?” Madam Shaw said.

“It’s definitely not that. Then, I’ll stay for dinner with you, Aunty.”

Madam Shaw was very strict with her rules. She always believed that no conversation was allowed at the dining table. Therefore, the entire meal was eaten in silence.

Susan made sure she sat up straight and only took the dishes in front of her. She dared not even look at the dishes that were a little further away.

As she was pretending to eat in a virginal way, a peeled prawn appeared in her bowl. Susan glanced to the side and saw Julian peeling the prawns with a stern face.

Susan opened her mouth to say something, but at the thought of Madam Shaw’s rules, she did not say a word.

When Charlotte saw Julian’s action, a flash of anger emerged in her eyes. Julian had never been so caring towards her when they were dating!

‘What kind of spell did Susan cast that made Julian treat her this way?’ She gripped her chopsticks tightly subconsciously, unable to accept it.

If Susan was better than her in every aspect, she had nothing to complain about. However, this woman was so ordinary, so how did she become Julian’s wife?

After dinner, Madam Shaw wiped the corner of her mouth to signify that everyone was allowed to speak.

Charlotte stood up to leave and Madam Shaw did not ask her to stay.

Inviting a guest to stay for dinner was manners. Anything more than that was unnecessary.

Charlotte glanced deeply at Julian, then turned to leave. The incidents that evening were out of her prediction, but she obtained very important news.

Julian Shaw had a wife and her name was Susan Shelby. It looked like she had to thoroughly investigate this woman.

“Susan, how’re you this month?” Madam Shaw suddenly asked her once Charlotte left.

Susan understood the question. She tugged at the corner of her clothes in a somewhat depressed manner, then said softly, “Nothing yet.”

“Nothing yet?” Madam Shaw became dissatisfied instantly. “You’ve been married for more than a year. Why aren’t you pregnant yet? Don’t you learn from the other women who don’t want to have kids due to their fear of gaining weight.”

“I…” Susan continued to lower her head.

Julian did not even like her and he would not even touch her, so who should she have a baby with?

“Julian, you too. Go home more frequently!” Madam Shaw continued to lecture, “It doesn’t matter how you fool around outside. We should focus on important things like continuing the bloodline.”

“Mom, aren’t you tired of saying the same thing all the time?” Julian grew impatient.

“Are you complaining just because I said a few words?” Madam Shaw stared at him.

Julian immediately apologized, “No, no.”

Madam Shaw harrumphed. “Young people nowadays have so many things going on. Sometimes they want a DINK*. Sometimes, they…”

She was lecturing them when Julian’s phone suddenly rang.

He answered the call and his expression turned serious.