"Your daughters are all grown up now, alright? Stop using them as an excuse. I see you're deliberately trying to reconcile with Rudy. You're truly shameless," Jill accused Carol.Seeing Carol being bullied by Jill again, Calla couldn't bear it anymore. She rushed over and pointed at Jill, angrily rebuking, "You were a homewrecker back then. You broke our family. Now you have the nerve to speak ill of others? I think you're the most shameless one here.""Calla, you're much younger. How can you talk to your stepmom like this?" Rudy stepped forward to scold Calla. Seeing Rudy, who appeared so righteous at this moment, Calla sneered. "You're not my father anymore. Why would I have a stepmom? Don't make me feel nauseous. I have nothing to do with you shameless people.""You… you're really trying to upset me, aren't you?" Rudy clutched his chest with his left hand, pretending to be in pain. If Carol wasn't anxious before, she was now. She pulled Calla—who spoke up for her—and said, "C

Calla stared blankly at the so-called wedding ring in Mercer's hand. It was a silver ring with numerous diamonds embedded in it, shimmering like stars. Though it didn't have a single large centerpiece, she knew it was quite valuable."Let me help you put it on." Mercer affectionately took Calla's hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger. At that moment, Calla's heart raced. She looked up at the person holding her hand, only to see him curling his lips, giving her a gentle smile she had never seen before. Mercer had never been so gentle in front of her. Calla felt her goosebumps rise, but instantly pulled herself together. Right, they were just acting now. He was helping her retaliate against Peggy. She shouldn't be acting so foolishly.Soon, Calla's hand was intertwined with Mercer's. She playfully pouted as she said, "I thought I lost the ring. You scared me half to death.""It's my fault for not returning it to you earlier," Mercer said with a face full of tenderness. He wa

At once, Mercer and Carol tried to push the envelope into each other's hands. Upon seeing them, Calla decided to just take it and stuff it into Carol's hands while saying, "Mom, this is his gift to you. If you don't take it, it means you don't accept him as your son-in-law." When she heard Calla's explanation, Carol begrudgingly accepted it. She mumbled, "In that case, alright then." However, she belatedly realized that the envelope was extremely thick. She opened it to take a peak before asking incredulously, "This is 20 thousand, isn't it? No way, this is too much!" Calla had let her guard down. She hadn't expected Mercer to give Carol so much money. Still, she immediately wiped the shocked expression from her face and persuaded, "Mom, you've been kind enough by not asking him for a million dollars in exchange for my hand in marriage. Just take it!" Calla grimaced inwardly at the offer—20 thousand dollars for her dignity and the child in her belly. A cynical part of her c

Mercer suddenly said, "Since we're going to put on a show, we might as well go all out. Plus, you're a grown woman. You shouldn't worry your mom anymore." Calla couldn't help the bitter smile that appeared on her face. Although she was mocking herself internally, she maintained her composure and said to Mercer, "Thank you for being so considerate." In truth, all of the care and concern he exhibited were merely an act. Calla chastised herself for being so moved because of him. How could she have been so presumptuous and planned a life with him? "You're welcome. We're legally husband and wife now, so we should compromise with each other." Mercer spoke as though he was talking about one of his business projects. Calla raised her chin to make herself appear more confident. She responded, "You're right." They had already walked to the car where Simon had taken the luggage from Mercer. The two of them got into the car, and they drove off within seconds. As the car sped through t

Mercer looked up and protested, "It's not like they're dirty or anything." Calla glared at him fiercely and insisted, "Even so, this is a bad habit. You need to make a change!" Mercer furrowed his brows and asked, "Why should I listen to you? You dare talk to me like that?"Calla grabbed Mercer's plate. "That's because I'm the one who made dinner. If you don't want to, don't eat!" Mercer looked up and stared straight at Calla. In truth, Calla was quaking in her boots. However, she'd already grabbed the plate from him. She couldn't bow to his will at this point. Thus, she glared at him while steeling herself inwardly. It would've been too embarrassing otherwise! In the next moment, Mercer stood up quietly. Calla's heart skipped a beat as she took a hasty step backward. He was tall and well-toned. Suffice to say, she wasn't his equal when it came to combat skills—or physical build for that matter. Mercer flatly stated, "I'm a good man who won't argue with a woman. I'll go