That night, Carlos didn’t return to the villa.
Emily Parker saw the message from "Time" when she woke up in the morning.
The message was sent in the middle of the night. At that time, he should have been with Rainny White.
Thinking of this, Emily’s heart felt like it had been stabbed hard, making her feel even worse.
She simply threw her phone aside, ignoring the message.
At breakfast, Mrs. Carter sat at the dining table, scanning the room, but didn’t see Carlos’ figure, a hint of confusion on her face.
"My brother didn’t come home last night. Mom, you should really do something about him," Maria Carter complained before Mrs. Carter could ask.
As she spoke, she placed her spoon heavily on the plate, making a crisp sound.
"Give him a few more companies to manage, and he won’t have time to hang out with those bad friends."
Maria thought of last night’s news about her brother, and a surge of anger welled up inside her.
She sat there fuming, with her brows tightly furrowed and dissatisfaction in her eyes.
It would be best if she never found out who the woman secretly trying to seduce her brother was!
Otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t let her off easily.
The atmosphere in the dining room was somewhat subtle.
Evan Palmer sat nearby, leisurely sipping his coffee, and casually commented,
"I think that when a man doesn’t come home at night, it’s usually related to his wife. Only an unworthy wife can’t keep her man."
His tone was calm, but his words were as sharp as a knife, directly targeting Emily.
After speaking, he put down his coffee cup, picked up a napkin to gently wipe his mouth, his scrutinizing gaze lightly falling on Emily, with a hint of a mocking smile.
Mrs. Carter frowned slightly upon hearing this, with a flash of discontent in her eyes, just about to speak up.
Emily maintained a perfectly measured smile, her expression gentle, as she gently put down her utensils.
She looked up at Evan and spoke in a light tone as if discussing the weather,
"Dad, you’re right. I indeed lack virtue and talent."
Her straightforward admission caused a momentary pause in Evan’s demeanor.
Emily’s tone suddenly shifted, carrying a subtle hint of irony,
"But I’ve heard that some men just prefer women who lack virtue and talent, those who are nowhere near the equal of their wives.
Perhaps in their hearts, such women are easier to control and deceive."
After finishing, she picked up her cup and took a sip of milk, her gaze fleetingly passing over Evan’s face, making him momentarily stiffen, his expression turning slightly unnatural.
His peripheral vision caught Mrs. Carter, making him feel somewhat guilty.
Why did he feel like Emily’s words had another meaning? Could it be she knew something?
Emily was not one to hold grudges usually, but she was clear about when to tolerate. This unprovoked accusation from Evan wouldn’t just pass by her ears unnoticed.
In her opinion, since Evan didn’t regard her as a daughter-in-law, there was no need for her to acknowledge him as a father-in-law.
Thankfully, she had the understanding Mrs. Carter as a mother-in-law and the cheerful and loyal Maria as a sister-in-law. With them around, the warmth in this house was sufficient.
"Dad, how is my sister-in-law lacking in virtue and talent?"
Maria Carter’s bright and clear voice shattered the somewhat oppressive atmosphere in an instant.
She hadn’t noticed the underlying tensions between her father and Emily, still determinedly defending Emily,
"My sister-in-law is amazing; there’s nothing she can’t do. Last time my computer had a problem that I couldn’t fix, but she solved it in no time.
And with my complex assignments, she made short work of the difficult problems whenever she tutored me.
She manages everything at home so well and handles people so graciously and elegantly. None of my friends dislikes her." Find the newest release on novel⁂fire.net
Maria counted Emily’s strengths on her fingers, one by one, her face full of pride.
After breakfast, Maria went to class. Mrs. Carter urged Emily to call Carlos.