Sensing that Vanessa might not grasp the full extent of her words, she added in a soft whisper, “I'm talking about Edwin's dad, who's now also my dad. He has given me a villa and a substantial amount of money. As long as I don't squander it, I won't need to work a day in my life."

She then thought about the possibility of having children, all of whom would be well-cared for and healthy.

This display of innocence seemed to deeply affect Vanessa, whose face turned pale.

She had once believed that Mark held her in high regard, but in reality, he had never explicitly shown any favoritism towards her.

Despite having been a guest in the Evans household, the true sentiments of the family's patriarch had remained elusive to her.

Laura, noticing Vanessa's distress, asked softly, "Miss Smith, are you alright?"

In a desperate attempt to unsettle Laura, Vanessa declared, “I'm pregnant with Edwin's child!"

Expecting Laura to be devastated, she repeated, "Yes, I'm pregnant!"

But Laura simply shook her head.

"You're lying. If Edwin really cared for you and make you pregnant, he wouldn't have returned to me. Miss Smith, you pride yourself on your noble birth and criticize my background, but aren't you now behaving just as you accuse others of?"

Vanessa's hand clenched into a fist, her plan to rattle Laura having failed.

Vanessa's response was tinged with mockery.

“How long do you think you can keep Edwin, being so naive?"

She picked up the piece of pork belly with a disdainful Look.

“Edwin needs someone who can match him, not someone as simple as you."

Laura felt it would be a waste to discard the meat. Then, unexpectedly, someone took it from her.

She turned to see Edwin.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and a gray woolen overcoat, he exuded an air of sophistication and detachment.

Edwin put the pork belly back into the bag, his gaze cold as he addressed Vanessa.

"What I Like is not your concern, Miss Smith. Even if I were to lose everything, Laura still would never have to work a day in her life."