“So many years have passed, and George Washington has ignored my son and me. Today you bring Miss here, and I treat you as guests from afar, yet you speak nonsense to Ethan and even allow Miss to hold Ethan hostage. What exactly are you trying to do!”

　　An ignorant woman, completely unaware of the affairs of the court— even the commoners in the capital know that things are not going well for George Washington and his son!

　　Charles Brooks thought this to himself, but on the surface he still appeared gentle and refined, though his words were exceptionally harsh.

　　“Aunt, don’t forget, even if Young Master Ethan marries in the future, you still won’t be his legitimate mother-in-law.”

　　Upon hearing this, Mrs. Smith immediately turned pale, then slumped back and collapsed into a chair.

　　Charles Brooks had only spent a large sum to bribe the old madam’s attendants and managed to overhear a few words, but his single remark hit the mark, and he immediately pressed the advantage: “Miss’s status is so noble—she can freely enter the palace, the Empress Dowager cherishes her, and she’s even more favored than a princess. You blame George Washington for ignoring you and your son, but think about it yourself: where in the world does a future father-in-law treat his prospective son-in-law like this?”

　　“If not for George Washington, would you and your son be living so peacefully and happily? What more do you want? Aren’t you satisfied yet?”

　　Each word was like a hammer, pounding Mrs. Smith’s heart until it bled, as if all the strength in her body had been drained away. She bit her lip hard, desperately trying to find a reason to retort, but sadly found her mind completely blank.

　　Charles Brooks knew very well that he could command the two guards at the door, but the other two behind him were sent by the old madam, and he absolutely could not mention the word “break off the engagement” in front of them. Otherwise, if the old ancestor of the The Brooks Family got angry, not even the second young master could protect him. So, he only hoped these two would report back that the mother and son of the The Bolton Family were unpresentable.

　　At this moment, seeing that Mrs. Smith had been struck into confusion, he seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire: “As for you saying Miss held Young Master Ethan hostage—heh, Miss just suddenly heard about this engagement and couldn’t accept it for a moment, so she pulled Young Master Ethan out to ask a few questions. How did it become ‘hostage’ in your mouth?”

　　“Even if she did go a bit too far, Young Master Ethan is a man and her future husband—shouldn’t he be tolerant and forgiving?”

　　Any man being held hostage by a woman would absolutely feel humiliated; it would be strange if the two didn’t make a huge scene!

　　In this way, if Emily Brooks got angry, she surely wouldn’t accept such a baffling engagement just for the sake of that face!

　　At this point, Charles Brooks signaled to the two guards to step aside from the door they had just been guarding. Seeing Mrs. Smith indeed get up and stumble toward the door, he was hoping she would rush out like a shrew from the countryside and make a huge scene, but unexpectedly, she just stood by the door, her face full of daze and confusion.

　　He was instantly annoyed. She can’t even make a scene—truly a useless country woman!

　　Mrs. Smith leaned against the door, gazing out, not knowing how long she waited before finally seeing Ethan Bolton calmly walk through the front gate. She felt her previously empty heart settle at once, and hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran out.

　　“Ethan!”

　　Seeing that familiar figure running over in panic, and hearing that familiar call, Ethan Bolton knew at once that Mrs. Smith must have been truly frightened and worried, so he quickly went up to meet her. Seeing her eyes red, he pressed her shoulders and said softly, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. Mother, rest assured, I’ll handle everything!”

　　These past two years, Mrs. Smith had gotten used to her son gradually growing up. At first, he always ran outside the village, and after being stopped, he started making his own decisions in the village. She had just turned a blind eye. But now, hearing his calm tone, she unconsciously felt her heart settle, until she saw Emily Brooks also enter the gate.

　　Remembering how this Miss had just acted so domineering when holding someone hostage, and thinking of Charles Brooks’s harsh words, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

　　But Emily Brooks easily noticed Mrs. Smith’s wary attitude toward her. Of course, she didn’t regret holding Ethan Bolton hostage just now—if not for that, how could she have found out about the so-called engagement?

　　So, when she saw Charles Brooks come out of the hall with a beaming smile and call out to Miss, she completely ignored him and walked straight up to Mrs. Smith, giving a slight curtsey: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have acted so impulsively just now. Please accept my apology!”

　　Ethan Bolton looked up and saw Charles Brooks’s stiff expression, as if he never expected this beautiful Miss to apologize. He couldn’t help but give a meaningful smile.

　　Mrs. Smith was even more caught off guard. She instinctively let go of Ethan Bolton, reaching out to help Emily Brooks, but halfway there, she pulled her hand back. As she hesitated, planning to return the courtesy with a curtsey of her own, she was surprised when Ethan Bolton beat her to it.

　　Ethan Bolton smiled at Emily Brooks in a very natural manner and said, “It’s just a small matter. Don’t worry, Mother isn’t someone who holds grudges.”

　　Seeing Mrs. Smith hastily wipe away her tears and nod, Emily Brooks felt relieved. She then walked into the hall with her head held high, ignoring Charles Brooks completely, while Ethan Bolton unhurriedly supported Mrs. Smith and strolled in after her.