"There's nothing improper between her and me!" Caleb Forrest snapped, growing annoyed as they slandered Ivy White. "We're completely innocent. Stop spouting such nonsense and ruining her good name."
Grace Winslow coughed for a moment, her voice weak. "Caleb, didn't you promise me you wouldn't let her live here?"
"She's wearing my clothes and sleeping in our marital bedroom. What exactly do you mean by this?"
"After I married you, I worked myself to the bone every day, taking care of you and your mother. I worked until I fell ill, but I still couldn't stop worrying about you both, so I rushed back. And this is how you repay me?"
Her voice was hoarse and choked with sobs, her eyes red-rimmed. It was a sight that would make anyone's heart ache.
Lily Callahan pointed a finger at Caleb Forrest and began to curse him out. "Caleb Forrest, do you have a conscience? You say there's nothing going on, but she's sleeping in your marriage bed! You call that nothing?"
"Go on, ask around! See who else does something like this! You're newlyweds, and you've already brought another woman home to live with you—in your own marital bedroom!"
"My sister was perfectly healthy when she married into your family. It's only been three months, and you've already run her ragged! It's bad enough that she's gotten so thin, but now you treat her like this on top of it all?"
"If you don't give me a proper explanation today, this isn't over!"
Grace Winslow said nothing, simply covering her face as if to hide her tears.
Ivy White looked flustered. She hurried forward, reaching for Grace Winslow's hand to try and explain.
But Lily Callahan shoved her away.
Ivy White stumbled back several steps, nearly falling.
Caleb Forrest lunged forward to steady her, then glared at Lily Callahan. "We can talk, but why are you getting physical?"
"Vivi, are you all right?"
"Oh, 'Vivi,' how sweet. And you still claim there's nothing going on between you two?"
"Comrades, it's obvious they're having an affair! Hurry up and take them away!" Lily Callahan shouted furiously, one hand planted on her hip.
The commotion finally drew the neighbors from both sides of the hall.
The scene Ivy White had caused earlier that day had already started plenty of gossip.
Now, seeing this, a thought ran through the crowd: 'Well, well, isn't that the shameless hussy from this afternoon?'
Seeing the clothes she was wearing, who couldn't figure out what was happening?
"Director Forrest, how can you be so heartless? Grace Winslow never did anything to wrong you, and you bring a hussy home?"
"He's not even trying to be discreet about it."
As the crowd grew rowdy, Caleb Forrest's expression turned ugly.
He had never been so humiliated in his entire life.
Just then, the child in the bedroom began to wail.
Awakened by the noise, Old Mrs. Forrest also started raising a ruckus in her small room. The apartment descended into chaos.
"Your letter of introduction. Since you aren't his wife, you'll need to show it," one of the two investigating comrades said, ignoring the drama. They were here to check for the letter.
If Ivy White couldn't produce one, they would have no choice but to take her away.
Ivy White's face was ashen.
Caleb Forrest stretched out an arm to shield her.
"Comrades, she isn't a bad person, really. You can't take her away."
Grace Winslow leaned against Lily Callahan, watching the scene unfold with cold eyes.
'Just as I imagined,' she thought. 'Caleb truly has no limits when it comes to Ivy White.'
'But after a scene like this, even if I ask for a divorce, no one can blame me.'
'Caleb was the one in the wrong first. I already gave him his chance.'