Not long after dinner started.

All the family and guests moved into the large dining room. The room had been decorated prettier with gold ornaments and fresh flowers.

In the middle of the room was a long table that could seat about 40 people.

Scarlett sat on the right side of Walter Riley, who was sitting at the end of the table. Carter tells her that spot where Xander usually sat. On her right side, there is Carter Riley.

Scarlett was shocked when she saw a beautiful woman, with shoulder-length dark blonde hair,  sitting next to Carter. She glanced at her several times and immediately knew the woman was Carter's mother. They looked so much alike. The similarity is uncanny.

This was the first time Scarlett had seen her. She couldn't hide how amazed she was by her beauty and aura — calm and graceful.

Scarlett tilted her head towards Carter, then whispered to him, "Young master, the beautiful woman beside you, is your mother?"

"Yes!" He smiled and looked at his mother, "Mom, please introduce this beautiful lady beside me. She is Scarlett Piers, elder brother's wife."

Scarlett gasped in shock. This Carter, how dare he introduce her so casually to his mother!?

Now, she felt terrible that she had only met her now. It's been well over a month since she was married to Xander.

Even though she knew Xander didn't like his stepmother, she couldn't hate this woman either, could she!?

"Hello, Aunt, I'm Scarlett. It's nice to meet you," Scarlet smiled politely at her as she reached out for a handshake.

"Hi, Scarlett. I'm Martha Bell. You may call me Aunt Martha. Scarlett, you are beautiful, just like Carter and his grandfather said..." Martha Bell shook Scarlett's hand warmly and smiled kindly.

Martha brought her head closer to Scarlett, ignoring Carter, who was between them, "...And I'd also want to apologize to you since I only got to meet you now. I've been traveling to another city these past few weeks and just returned yesterday." She said with regret.

"It's okay, Aunt Martha. We have many opportunities to meet." Scarlett smiled at her.

"Yes, yes... It would be best if you come again. On your next visit, I will cook for you!" Martha Bell was very enthusiastic about cooking for Scarlett. Just by looking at her and talking for a while, she immediately liked this girl, and she hoped Scarlett could bring her closer to Xander.

"Yes... Sister, come to our house tomorrow. My mother's cooking will definitely make you faint!" Carter praised.

But, suddenly...

A slap landed on Carter's shoulder, which made him cry while looking at his mother, "Why, why did you hit me, Mom!?"

"Stop bragging, Carter!" Martha scolded her son. Then she turned her gaze to Scarlett with a warm smile, she said, "...don't get your hopes up on Scarlett. This kid is just spouting nonsense. However, if you try my cooking, I guarantee you'll be hooked!"

"Mom, come on... Isn't that the same thing!? You're bragging too!?" Carter said, but his mother ignored him and only looked at Scarlet affectionately.

'What the heck! Now my mom is under my sister-in-law's spell too!?' Carter could only mutter in his heart, not believe what he saw.

"I can't wait to taste your cooking Aunty. Hmm... I will make time to visit again as soon as possible..." Scarlett smiled.

Before long,

Walter Riley delivered his speech before dinner started.

During dinner, Scarlett quietly heard everyone talk while she was immersed in finishing her dinner. Occasionally she answered when asked by Grandpa Riley or Carter.

And without realizing it, the dinner was finally over. Several families and guests said goodbye. Meanwhile, Scarlett had stayed there briefly since Martha Bell invited her to chat in the main house.

At first, Scarlett felt awkward talking to Martha, worried that this woman would share the same traits as Lauren — she was still traumatized by that evil woman!

However, after a few minutes of chatting, she felt this woman was very different from Lauren. They are even opposites, but the question is, why did Xander dislike her?

Matha Bell was the kindhearted mother-in-law she used to see in Korean dramas. She is graceful in speaking, moving, and even responding to her words.

Scarlett was comfortable chatting with her even though they had just met today. She felt like she had known her for a long time.

They talked about many things, and what intrigued Scarlett was when they finally spoke about how Xander grew up.

"Aunt Martha, so Xander didn't live in this house after he was twelve?" Scarlett asked in surprise.

Martha Bell nods slightly before saying, "Xander went to the US and lived there. So basically, I don't see him often. Only when he's on holiday does he come back here..." There was sadness radiating from her eyes.

Scarlett listens in silence.

"And when he graduated from college, his grandpa called him to come back. Since then, he has started taking over the company..."

"Oh, I see," Scarlett muttered.

"Scarlett, I never imagined Xander would get married so soon. Because, in the past few years, he's always been fighting with his grandfather about this." Martha smiled, looking at Scarlett.

"Me too. I still can't believe I got married to Xander!" Scarlett blushed, remembering how she met Xander in such an absurd way — something she only read about in novels or watched in dramas.

"Thanks, Scarlett. Finally, Xander is no longer depressed. Because, ever since he had a fight with his grandfather, he rarely comes home. Obviously, Carter and I are always worried about Xander." Martha said bitterly.

"I am happy to be part of this family, Aunty..."

After talking a lot about Xander and Carter, Scarlett finally said her goodbyes.

"Scarlett, you should return here while Xander is still on a business trip!" Martha said, reluctant to let Scarlett go home.

"I will come, Aunty!" Scarlett smiles.

Scarlett felt happy talking to a mother figure for the first time after losing her mother several years ago.

She's so happy she hasn't stopped smiling since leaving the house.