Chapter 9

Helma withdrew her hand and turned to look.

A lady came down the stairs slowly. She dressed well, with delicate makeup, but her eyes were full of displeasure and disgust towards Helma.

Instinctively, Helma knew she was probably the one who had disliked her and forced her to resign.

Cole called out lightly, "Mom."

Helma nodded to her, and said to Grandma with a smile, "Grandma, let me wash my hands first."

Cole stared at her back as she went to the bathroom.

He thought she would argue with his mother like she argued with him.

The corners of his lips twitched as he spoke to the woman, "Mom, Helma..."

"Shouldn't she wash her hands?" Madam Guller commented. Although she deeply disliked Helma, she still cared about Grandma Guller's face.

When Helma returned from washing her hands, she ignored Madam Guller and spent the whole time chatting with Grandma Guller.

Not long after, the servant called for dinner.

Helma helped Grandma Guller to her seat. Her smile faded a little as she glanced at the dishes on the table.

She loved spicy food, but every dish on the table looked so bland that it was unappetizing.

She refused to believe that this family wouldn’t know her taste after two years of marriage.

Madam Guller went into the kitchen earlier. She must have ordered the cooking to be plain and bland.

Helma ate a few bites and put her cutlery down.

Cole noticed that she barely ate. He frowned but said nothing.

Instead, Grandma Guller spoke up. "Hemmy, why don’t you eat? Didn't you like this before?"

Helma's heart skipped a beat, and she felt troubled.

She thought to herself, ‘They truly don't know.

‘What did I do for this man before? Did I praise all the dishes on the table even though I didn’t like them, but said it was delicious?

‘Being in love truly made me stupid.’

Helma probably pretended so realistically before that she could not refute it now.

She just smiled and said, "I'm not hungry today, Grandma. I’m fine."

After dinner, Cole and Helma wanted to leave.

Grandma Guller was very reluctant. "Hemmy, you are my appointed granddaughter-in-law. You must tell me if you are not treated right. Grandma will stand up for you. If that brat leaves you, I’ll make him pay for it!"

She had lived a long life. She could see through her children and grandchildren with just one glance.

Some things could not be faked.

"Alright, Grandma. Cole is very kind to me. I will visit you often next time." Helma just smiled and agreed.

Just as the two were about to leave, Madam Guller appeared from the side and said to Cole, "You stay. I need to talk to you."

Before Cole could answer, Helma spoke. “Then I’ll go first.”

Cole had no choice because he felt that his mother had something important to tell him. He said to Helma, "Wait, it's too late. I'll ask the driver to take you."

Helma was unbothered. "Sure."

She did not look at Madam Guller the whole time.

This pissed Madam Guller off.

After Helma left, Madam Guller called Cole to her room.

In private, she no longer held back her disgust towards Helma. "She is ruder than ever today. I don't know who taught her..."

Cole frowned slightly when his mother opened her mouth. He interrupted her straightaway. "Mom, is there anything you want to tell me?"

Interrupted, Madam Guller did not carry on. She gave him an icy look, turned around, and threw a phone at him. "I just saw this. Take a look."

Cole picked it up and looked. His brows furrowed.

A few photos of Helma and Owen together at the bar that day.

Helma's face was clearly seen in the photo, but Owen’s face was blurred.

Some pictures were strangely angled, making the two of them seem really close.

Cole wrapped his fingers tightly over the phone. His eyes darkened as he pursed his thin lips.

After a long while, he let out a bitter sigh and said solemnly, "Mom, it's a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? You’re telling me these photos are a misunderstanding?"

Cole knew she wanted to say more. He placed the phone on the table and said calmly, "Mom, we're actually divorced."