The next morning, Vera Xavier was still asleep when she heard a commotion outside.
A sharp, piercing female voice was especially grating: "My dear in-law, since Vera is back, we need to have a serious talk about what happened on the wedding day! Do you have any idea? The banquet was all set, all our relatives were there, but Vera was nowhere to be found! The wedding was called off! I've nearly died of humiliation because of this!"
Vera Xavier was very familiar with this voice. It was Wesley Kane's mother, Daisy Archer.
Rona Langdon's voice called out, "Wesley's mother, let's go inside to talk."
Daisy Archer's voice lowered a bit, but she continued with a torrent of complaints, praising Wesley Kane to the heavens while viciously disparaging Vera Xavier. One moment it was "she's from the countryside," the next it was "she has no upbringing."
Rona Langdon was very dissatisfied with Vera Xavier, but since Vera now held the status of a Preston Family daughter, Daisy Archer's words were a slap in the face to her as well.
Rona Langdon's expression was grim. She gave Cara Preston a look, signaling for her to go wake Vera Xavier up.
Just as Cara Preston was about to knock, she found Vera Xavier already dressed and standing in the doorway. Cara paused for a moment. "Sis, the Kanes are here. You should explain things to them properly later. Don't let this incident ruin your reputation."
Vera Xavier asked, "Is Wesley Kane here?"
Cara Preston was inwardly filled with contempt upon hearing her question. 'After she came back yesterday making a fuss about wanting to study, I actually thought she'd gotten smarter. But the first person she asks about is Wesley Kane. To still be thinking about him at a time like this... she's not just stupid, she's a complete fool!'
Cara Preston shook her head. "He didn't come. He's probably too embarrassed!"
After speaking, she covered her mouth, putting on an act as if she'd misspoken. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sis. That's not what I meant."
Vera Xavier couldn't be bothered with her pretense and went straight downstairs without a word.
A mocking smile touched the corners of Cara Preston's mouth. No matter how today's drama played out, Vera Xavier's reputation was ruined.
In this relatively conservative era, a bride running away on her wedding day was a huge, sensational piece of local news.
In other words, Vera Xavier was now famous—or rather, infamous.
Vera Xavier knew that Rona Langdon had caused a huge scene in the courtyard when she returned last night. The entire Kane family must know she was back, and they were here today to settle the score.
She remembered her past life. 'After I ran away from Nathaniel Nathan's place and came home, the Kane Family came to the Preston's home as soon as they heard the news, just like today. The argument that followed was an absolute mess.'
'Because of that uproar, Rona Langdon could no longer tolerate her. She couldn't stay with the Preston Family any longer and had no choice but to go work in a factory. Although she eventually achieved considerable success, the journey there was paved with blood and tears.'
'Reborn, she would absolutely not let such a thing happen again!'
The moment she got downstairs, Daisy Archer spotted her and said in a snide tone, "Well, if it isn't Vera. You actually came back. I was starting to think I'd never see you again."
Daisy Archer was sitting in a guest's seat. Beside her sat a man in his forties, Wesley Kane's father, Jeremy Kane. He was a very shrewd man. Since entering, he had let Daisy Archer cause a scene while he remained silent, his eyes glinting with a calculating light.
In the host's seat sat Rona Langdon, her face a mask of fury. Zachary Preston was beside her, and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes when he saw Vera Xavier.