Cyrus scoffed and reassured him, “Don't worry. Maggie just claimed she's no longer involved with that man."

He then turned to Maggie and said, “Maggie, tell us. Are you still involved with Mr. Robles?"

ALL eyes were on Maggie.

Maggie clenched her fists, unwilling to engage with such a pointless question.

Onlookers began to gather, eager to see the drama unfold.

“Come on, answer! Are you really his secret lover?"

"I don't care whether she is or isn't right now. But I've never seen a girl lead such a loose life. She seems to have learned nothing but how to lure men during her extra years of education!"

“That's right! Young man, you're so good-looking and successful. Why would you fall for such a woman? Look at my daughter. She's still pure, absolutely spotless! Why don't you consider dating her instead?"

The surrounding chatter was a cacophony of mockery and scorn.

Karl's brow furrowed as he battled to contain his fury.

Suddenly, Maggie's parents burst onto the scene.

"Maggie!" Helena called out, maneuvering through the crowd.

"Mom, Dad," Maggie murmured, stealing a glance at her father, who bore a somber countenance.

Drake maintained a stern expression, offering no response.

Reyna seized him, exclaiming, “Drake, you and your wife arrived just in time. With this troublemaker here, let's resolve the feud between our families once and for all today."

“Reyna, how do you propose we settle this?" he inquired.

In the presence of his sister-in-law, Maggie's father Drake immediately assumed a humble demeanor.

Reyna's response was laced with bitterness. "You can inflict permanent harm upon her, and I'll convince my husband to maintain our familial bond. You also have the choice to return every gift we've bestowed upon you and prepare to be excommunicated by the entire Shear clan. Don't even entertain the thought of inclusion in the family registry, even in death!"

While South Bay Village wasn't exceedingly remote, it adhered to age-old traditions, rooted in its rural origins.

For instance, the family registry symbolized a member's identity.