Unladylike

Mrs. Smith had done it on purpose.

Back then, she had genuinely wanted the two families to become in-laws. Who would’ve thought those two would treat her son like a backup plan, all while secretly looking down on the Smith?

If it hadn’t been for a friend telling her that Kalea was aiming to marry into the Knox or Anderson families, she would’ve been kept in the dark for who knows how long.

Luckily, her son had already fallen in love with the Webers daughter. The two had been dating for quite some time—they just hadn’t had the courage to tell the family. Otherwise, she really would’ve made a mistake with the best intentions.

So today, she was deliberately mocking the two of them.

“Oh my, how come we haven’t seen your daughter-in-law around?” she asked, feigning concern.

Other people might not know that Naomi and Kael were married, but the elite families certainly did.

Jovita wasn’t about to let anyone see her family as a laughingstock, so she immediately replied, “Naomi didn’t come with me today. She said she had something to take care of and will be here a bit later.”

Mrs. Smith, a master of words herself, quickly followed up, “Well, you and your whole family better come to my son’s wedding!”

Kalea, standing nearby, couldn’t stand the fact that someone she had once dismissed was now getting married. It was as if she were the one being rejected.

“Wow, Auntie Smith, you’ve really got a thick skin. Your son’s wedding, and you’re inviting the entire Rhodes—the so-called elite Rhodes—to celebrate?”

“Kalea, shut your mouth!” Jovita snapped. Didn’t she realize the Rhodes wasn’t what it used to be?

Kalea looked humiliated after being scolded.

Seeing the furious and completely unladylike Kalea, Mrs. Smith couldn’t help but feel grateful. Thank God she hadn’t gone through with that engagement. Bringing someone like this into the family? Who knows how chaotic life at home would’ve become.

“Oh, I see now,” Mrs. Smith said loudly on purpose. “It’s the young lady here who looked down on my Smith. I guess we were just trying to aim too high.”

Her voice was loud enough for many others to turn and look. Everyone knew that while the Rhodes was still technically one of the major family, they were barely holding on. The Smith, on the other hand, ranked first among the influential families. Who knew what the future held in terms of power?

Jovita opened her mouth to explain, but just then, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Melvin was coming down the stairs, his voice calm and gentle as he looked around,

“Ladies and gentlemen, today is my mother’s birthday banquet. I sincerely hope no one clueless enough ruins this celebration. Otherwise… my father won’t be pleased.”

Using the gentlest tone to say the harshest words—this young master of the Andersons clearly wasn’t someone to be messed with.

All eyes turned to Jovita and Kalea, filled with disdain.

If it weren’t for marrying the Swift’s daughter, would the Rhodes even still be standing?

And even that poor Swifts girl—word had it that after marrying, Kael spent most of his time abroad and barely interacted with her. If they had married a Swifts daughter, they probably would’ve worshipped her.

Jovita looked as pale as sheet. But unlike her mother, Kalea had a glimmer of infatuation in her eyes as she stared at Melvin. Now that was a man worthy of her.

Melvin gave her a single glance and instantly knew what she was thinking. He was disgusted on the spot.

‘What a joke. Has she even looked in a mirror?’

He turned around, headed upstairs to the lounge, and immediately called someone.

“Why aren’t you here yet? When did you turn into a snail?”

On the other end, Atlas pulled the phone away from his ear with a frown. “Whoa, who lit your fuse?”

That tone—someone clearly pissed him off.

Melvin took a deep breath, trying to suppress the nausea in his chest.

‘This day really feels cursed.’

“I’m telling you, the Rhodes’s here downstairs. That arrogant attitude of theirs is just disgusting,” he said, not holding back at all.

To be honest, among the next generation of the major families, most of them had grown up together—except for the Rhodes. The previous head of the Rhodes was a total womanizer, with kids all over the place. Kael’s father didn’t even return to the family until Kael was already ten.

After countless rounds of infighting, he finally secured his position as the head of the Rhodes. But that same internal strife had severely damaged the family's foundation, leading to their current decline.

Kael had grown up abroad. It wasn’t until his father officially took over as head of the Rhodes that he even learned about his connection to the prestigious Rhodes in Elaris.

But that wasn’t too surprising. After all, when it comes to inheritance battles, it’s always a ruthless game of survival—no room for mercy. Kael’s father had simply left a backup plan for himself.

Atlas sat on the couch, holding his phone in his left hand while his right tapped rhythmically on his leg. “Kael’s still not back yet?”

“Nope. Probably too busy enjoying himself in some slut’s lair to remember where home is.” Melvin lounged on a rocking chair, legs crossed, looking completely relaxed.

“Oh, by the way, Naomi hasn’t shown up yet. Don’t tell me you’re skipping out again this year. Honestly, it wouldn’t hurt for you two to meet—grew up together and all. If you want, I can go talk to her and…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he thought he was hearing things—because a crisp, sweet female voice came through the phone:

“Atty, I’m done changing!”

A woman. There was a woman next to Atlas.

Wait, what the hell?

Atlas—the same guy who was head-over-heels for Naomi—had another woman with him?!

Wasn’t he still waiting for that foolish Naomi to finalize her divorce?

What Melvin didn’t know was that Naomi had already lost her memory and was currently staying with Atlas.

“What the hell is going on?! Damn it, Atlas, are you even my bro anymore? When did you go and start falling for someone else?!”

Atlas had no time for Melvin’s howling. He just replied, “I’ll be there in a bit,” and hung up.

Melvin: “...”

Wait a minute—what did that woman just call him?

Atty?

Melvin suddenly stumbled as the realization hit—that was what Naomi used to call him when they were kids.

Naomi and Atlas… are together?!

***