Chapter 3

Evan just couldn't believe that Samantha had really married someone else.

He looked at her with a mocking smirk. "Samantha, this marriage certificate's fake, right?"

Samantha met his gaze, calm and steady. "Nope, it's real. If you don't believe me, feel free to check with the registry."

Evan's face twisted in disbelief. "Why? Why the hell would you marry another man?"

"Evan, you seriously don't know why I suddenly got married?" she raised her brows, her tone flat but sharp.

Her lips curled up slightly, but her eyes were cold as ice—sharp enough to make a person flinch.

Evan's confidence wavered for a split second. He adjusted his glasses, trying to keep his cool. "I have no idea. You were the one who broke off the engagement. You ran off and married someone else and totally forgot how Grandma took care of you all these years."

"What's going on here!" Grace suddenly slammed the table and shot up from her seat, voice full of anger.

Evan didn't hesitate to turn around and start shouting at Samantha. "Look what you've done! You're making Grandma this upset! If anything happens to her, I swear I won't let you off! Didn't you move on real fast? Then call that new guy of yours to come pick you up! What, still living in our house for free, don't you think it's shameless?"

He was getting more and more out of line. "Or did you just find some broke loser to marry?"

"Evan, shut your mouth! You think I'm senile?" Grace barked, cutting him off. "If you hadn't messed up, why would Samantha rather marry a stranger than stay with you?"

"Grandma! How do you know he's a stranger? For all we know, she could've been sneaking around for months!"

But Grace just tightened her grip on Samantha's hand and patted it gently, her eyes bright red. "Don't talk nonsense! If it weren't for Samantha taking such good care of me during my illness, I wouldn't even be here now.

"She's been working non-stop these past years. The neighbors all joked she's more like a maid than a fiancée... But I saw everything she did. And you—you've let her down."

Hearing Grace defend her like that, Samantha lowered her head in silence, guilt creeping up her cheeks.

"Sorry, Grandma..."

Grace shook her head, simply asking, "No need to apologize, sweetheart. Just tell me one thing—did you really marry that Mr. Avery? Are you truly done with Evan?"

"Yes." Samantha didn't hesitate for even a second.

"Alright, Grandma gets it now." Grace gently squeezed her hand, "I wish you the best! If you can't be my granddaughter-in-law, then it's our family's loss. I'll take you as my own granddaughter and make sure your wedding's done right!"

Samantha's eyes welled up instantly.

But Evan snapped, "Grandma! Haven't we lost enough face already? Everyone around knows you've always wanted her to marry into the family, now you're sending her off like your own granddaughter? Where's our dignity! She betrayed me! She should just get out right now!"

As he spoke, he shoved Samantha toward the door without any hesitation.

"Samantha, you're not part of this family anymore. You don't belong here. Every cent you spent in the past three years came from us, so if you've got any shame left, tell your man to cough up the money!

"And let's be real, a girl like you? What rich guy would marry you? I bet you'll end up in some sleazy situation."

With all politeness gone, Evan didn't hold back anymore. His words were cruel to the core.

"You owe my wife an apology! What you said just now is beyond disrespectful."

Suddenly, a calm yet firm voice came from the courtyard entrance.

"And who the hell are you?" Evan turned around right away.

No one had noticed when the gates opened, but now a tall man stood there, calm and commanding.

The guy had sharp features and an unmistakably classy vibe. He looked oddly familiar, too.

"I'm Noah."

All three members of the Smith family froze, speechless.

Samantha looked stunned. "You... how did you find me?"

"You put your home address on the medical form, so I drove over."

Noah walked in with steady steps, his eyes settling on her face. "You still need treatment for your injury. Better for you to come home with me so I can take care of you properly."

His words turned Samantha's ears red.

That kind of injury... how was he planning to take care of her?

Grace, leaning on Lila's arm, stepped forward, "You're Samantha's husband?"

Noah gave a respectful nod. "Yes, Mrs. Smith. Thank you for looking after her these past three years."

Clearly, he'd caught every word of the argument earlier.

Samantha grew nervous. They'd only met yesterday, and aside from him being a doctor, she knew next to nothing about him.

Was he regretting this already?

"Come in and have a seat," Grace offered politely.

"No need." Noah's voice was calm. "Everything your family spent on my wife for the past three years—I'll double it. But Mr. Smith, the way you spoke to her just now was out of line."

Evan instinctively swallowed hard, bracing himself. "Alright, I'll apologize—if you can come up with 600K on the spot!"