Chapter 3

Not long after hanging up on Owen, Eli, the housekeeper of the Getty Manor, called with his usual formal tone, "Mrs. Scarlett Getty, Mrs. Amara Getty requests your presence for dinner at the Getty Manor tonight."

Under normal circumstances, Scarlett might have made an excuse to decline.

After last night's humiliation and today's news, she had no desire to face her hostile mother-in-law, Amara, or her heartbreaking husband Thaddeus.

But Owen's unfinished sentence left her no choice but to go.

What exactly had happened back then?

She had a growing suspicion that the fire, which had blurred parts of her memory, might be hiding secrets she wasn't aware of.

And this secret could very well be the root of all the conflict between her and Thaddeus.

With these thoughts weighing on her mind, Scarlett remained silent throughout the journey.

The car smoothly entered the courtyard of the Getty Manor.

It was an estate designed in a garden style, with elegant pavilions and terraces that, despite their classic beauty, exuded an unfriendly coldness.

Eli was already waiting at the entrance and acknowledged Scarlett with a perfunctory nod, "Mrs. Scarlett Getty, Mr. Owen Getty, Mr. Thaddeus Getty, and Mrs. Amara Getty are all waiting for you in the dining room."

Scarlett took a deep breath and walked into the familiar dining room.

At the long dining table, Thaddeus's father, Heath Getty, sat imposingly at the head, while Thaddeus's mother, Amara Rupert, wore an expression of impatience.

Owen sat at the side, and upon seeing her, his face softened into a gentle smile as he motioned for her to join him.

Thaddeus sat beside Amara, his expression as cold and distant as ever.

But what made Scarlett's heart constrict was the person sitting on Thaddeus's other side—someone who had no business being there: Lavinia.

Today she wore an elegant white dress, her face deliberately pale and vulnerable without makeup, her long hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. She looked every bit like a pure, innocent lily.

Seeing Scarlett enter, she immediately stood up, wearing a smile tinged with just the right amount of apology, "Scarlett, you're here. Thaddeus was worried about me being alone at home, so he brought me along to visit his parents at the Getty Manor."

Amara took Lavinia's hand, her eyes overflowing with affection, "Such a good girl, unlike some people."

She glanced up at Scarlett, her gaze instantly turning cold, her tone filled with undisguised disdain, "Why are you just standing there? Can't you see we have a guest? You have no manners at all."

Scarlett's fingers slowly clenched at her sides, her nails digging deep into her palms.

For three years, she had always been treated like an outsider in this family.

Yet Lavinia could effortlessly win all of Amara's affection.

"Scarlett, come here, sit by me," Owen intervened, breaking the awkward situation.

Scarlett sat down beside Owen and greeted softly, "Grandfather, Mother."

"I hardly deserve to be called 'Mother' by you," Amara shot back mercilessly, not attempt to hide her disgust.

"Amara!" Owen's face darkened as he reprimanded her.

Only then did Amara reluctantly close her mouth.

Throughout the family dinner, Scarlett barely tasted her food.

Amara continuously served Lavinia, fussing over her comfort and well-being as if Lavinia were her true daughter-in-law.

"Lavinia, you're too thin. Eat more—you must have suffered during those years abroad."

"Try this royal jelly dessert. I had the kitchen prepare it especially for you—it's the best for restoring health."

Lavinia obediently accepted everything, occasionally lifting her gaze to cast fleeting glances at Scarlett across the table.

Though Thaddeus remained silent, his eyes frequently settled on Lavinia's face with a subtle concern that pierced Scarlett's heart.

Scarlett ate her meal expressionlessly, tasting nothing but cardboard.

As the dinner neared its end, the servant Veda approached with a steaming bowl of soup.

Lavinia suddenly stood up and smiled at Veda, "Veda, let me do this."

She took the soup bowl from Veda's hands and walked toward the table.

Everyone praised her thoughtfulness, and Amara beamed with delight.

Carrying the soup, Lavinia navigated around the corner of the table, heading toward the head seat.

As she passed by Scarlett, she suddenly twisted her ankle and lost her balance.

With a sharp cry, the soup bowl shattered near Scarlett's feet.

Most of the scalding soup splashed onto the floor, but several drops landed on Lavinia's slender arm, instantly raising angry red welts.

The dining room erupted into chaos.

"Lavinia!"

"Call a doctor, quickly!"

Amara and Thaddeus rushed over simultaneously.

Thaddeus reached Lavinia's side in a few strides, anxiously gripping her burned arm, his deep eyes churning with rage and concern.

He gently patted her back, continuously soothing her with a tenderness and patience Scarlett had never witnessed before.

Amara was so distraught that she was nearly in tears. She held Lavinia's reddened arm worriedly and shouted at the servants, "Are you all dead? Hurry up and bring burn ointment and ice!"

"My poor Lavinia, where are you hurt? Let me see!"

"Thaddeus, Mrs. Amara Getty, I'm fine. Someone tripped me," Lavinia said, her face pale, tears welling in her eyes.

Amara exploded instantly. She whirled around, glaring at Scarlett and demanding.

"Scarlett! Was it you?! What were you thinking? Are you so insanely jealous of how well we treat Lavinia that you deliberately stuck out your foot to trip her?"

Scarlett froze at this complete reversal of truth, her body turning cold.

She opened her mouth to defend herself, "I didn't. She was the one who—"

"You dare deny it!" Amara cut her off, giving her no chance to speak. "Everyone here can see how malicious your intentions are! What has Lavinia ever done to deserve this from you? Why would you hurt her like this?"

"Amara! Calm down!" Owen struck his cane heavily on the floor, attempting to restore order.

"Father! How much longer will you keep defending her?!" Amara lost all control, pointing at Lavinia, who was trembling in Thaddeus's arms.

"Have you forgotten?"

"If Lavinia hadn't saved Thaddeus back then, he would have died!"

"She even developed a chronic condition because of Thaddeus! She's the Getty family's savior!"

Amara's words struck Scarlett's heart like lightning.

She stood frozen in place, her mind completely blank.

What did that mean?