Barbara's heart skipped a beat when she heard this. In her mind, this Was as good as a profession of love from Anthony.

But her delusions shattered the next instant, and she was overwhelmed with the loss.

She knew very well that Anthony had never loved her. And she hated Maria all the more for it.

Barbara had always coveted everything Maria had, and Anthony was no different.

The urge to cut the ground from Maria's feet under washed over her.

"I see. Well, I am glad that you are honest with me." Mrs. Jenkins smiled, as an elder usually would display to the young ones. "Honesty is a very commendable virtue."

Barbara bristled. She thought her grandmother was going in the wrong direction.

If Mrs. Jenkins wanted to pander to Anthony, she might as well heap praises on Maria to please him.

But then something else occurred to her. Perhaps her grandmother was doing this on purpose.

Her guess wasn't that far-off.

Mrs. Jenkins continued, “I'm afraid Maria is not a good match for you. You deserve someone better, someone of your pedigree."

Anthony smiled, genuinely this time, much to their surprise.

Barbara fell into a daze. Everything else disappeared except for his smile, and her passion for him burned even brighter.

Sure enough, it must be Maria who had been pursuing Anthony all along! She must have pestered him to the point that he felt he had no choice but to date her.

Barbara's thoughts were racing.

She couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if she had met Anthony first.

Would he have fallen in love with her?

Mrs. Jenkins, on the other hand, was not so easily fooled. She peered at Anthony, having recognized the hostility that lurked beneath his smile.

The hostility wasn't much of a mystery.

Mrs. Jenkins chuckled to herself.

Young as Anthony was, impetuousness rather than prudence was demonstrated.

And she had spoken ill of Maria to him. Sure enough, he could not take it well.

But Mrs. Jenkins wasn't that bothered and took Anthony's anger seriously. If anything, she was convinced that she could use it to her advantage.

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "I've heard so much about you, Mr. Wilson. So successful at such a young age. There are very few people who can say that they are on par with you. I have high hopes for you, even though you are already at the top of the game.”