Chad Jennings was dressed all in black, a white flower pinned to his chest.

He was weeping so hard his eyes were swollen shut. "Oh, my dear in-law! Why... why did you have to leave so soon? We never even had the chance for a good long talk."

"My dear in-law!"

He threw himself dramatically before Skye Sutton’s casket, clinging to it and refusing to let go.

Chad Jennings’s wails made everyone nearby turn their heads.

Seeing Chad Jennings, Old Mrs. Grant’s expression stiffened slightly.

The Suttons and the other Grants didn’t recognize Chad Jennings and couldn’t help but exchange confused glances.

Still sobbing, Chad Jennings waved toward the entrance. "Hurry, get over here! Come and bow before your mother-in-law!"

Joanna Sherman and Yvonne Sherman walked in together.

Both were wearing black dresses, with white flowers pinned to them.

Joanna Sherman looked aloof, yet with a touch of pitiable fragility, while Yvonne Sherman was understated yet elegant.

The moment the Grants saw Joanna Sherman, their expressions collectively soured.

Sophia Shaw swayed and staggered a few steps after them.

Her chest heaved violently.

Her fingers clenched into tight fists.

Everyone in the Grant family knew about Vincent Grant and Joanna Sherman’s past. Joanna was the very reason she and Vincent had divorced, and now Chad Jennings had the audacity to bring her here!

He was slapping her in the face!

Joanna Sherman wore a somber expression as she stood before Sophia Shaw, but a bright flash of provocation glinted in her eyes.

It was gone in an instant, but it was incredibly glaring.

She gave a slight quirk of her lips, the meaning clear: ’I can go anywhere Sophia Shaw can go!’

Yvonne Sherman, along with Chad Jennings and Joanna Sherman, offered incense. She slowly and deliberately placed her incense stick in the burner before turning to face Sophia Shaw.

"It was Cedric and Vincent who told us the news of our dear in-law’s passing," she said. "The dead cannot be brought back to life. Please accept our condolences."

’So it was Cedric Grant and Vincent Grant who invited them!’

Even though she knew Yvonne Sherman’s polite words were just veiled gloating, Sophia Shaw couldn’t stop the sharp pain in her heart.

’Vincent Grant and Cedric Grant just won’t be happy unless they’re constantly tormenting me!’

’Even at Skye Sutton’s funeral, they had to bring Joanna Sherman here to put me down!’

Besides Skye Sutton’s own children, Julian Grant’s branch of the family and other important relatives were also in attendance for the Grants today.

Who among them didn’t know how Vincent Grant had once defied Old Master Grant, ready to be beaten to death for the chance to leave the family and start his own company—all for Joanna Sherman?

Low murmurs could be heard from time to time.

"Didn’t she go abroad? Why is she back?"

"Are they involved again?"

"I heard she came back a year ago. They’ve been seen together everywhere, and Vincent Grant has burned through a lot of money for her."

"Then what does that make Sophia Shaw?"

"Sigh, what happened back then was just too ugly. I guess for the past few years, they were just putting on a front. Vincent probably never truly cared for his wife."

"All those years of being left out in the cold for nothing."

"..."

The whispers were quiet, but the pity and judgment in everyone’s eyes were unmistakable.

Sophia Shaw’s unbearable marriage was thus laid bare for all to see. Even those who hadn’t known the details before now knew that she was looked down upon by Vincent Grant!

Just a... pathetic creature!

Lena Grant was furious and stepped forward, ready to kick them out.

Claire Grant pulled her back.

"Don’t be rash!"

"Chad Jennings is Sophia Shaw’s biological father. As an in-law, there’s nothing technically wrong with him bringing his family to offer condolences."

Chad Jennings and the Shermans were exploiting that fact to nail Sophia Shaw to a pillar of shame and humiliate her repeatedly!

Eleanor Crawford walked over and supported Sophia Shaw’s tense body, her eyes filled with deep concern.

Chad Jennings led his wife and daughter to Old Mrs. Grant.

"Old Mrs. Grant, with things as they are, you must take care of your health."

"Sigh, it’s all my fault. I never brought my family around to visit, so we’ve grown distant from you and our dear mother-in-law."

"To be honest, it’s mainly because Faye doesn’t really want to see me, and on top of that, Joanna has been launching rockets. Her career has gotten so big, we just can’t find the time."

The phrases "Faye doesn’t really want to see me" and "Joanna has been launching rockets" easily painted Sophia Shaw as a petty woman who couldn’t even tolerate her own father.

In contrast, Joanna Sherman was elevated to the status of an outstandingly ambitious and brilliant young woman.

Just think about it: forget Crestfall, there are few women in the entire world who can build and launch rockets!

With this one-two punch of tearing one down while lifting the other up, Joanna Sherman’s image immediately became towering and glorious.

Chad Jennings was clearly eager to boost Joanna Sherman’s profile in front of Old Mrs. Grant.

Old Mrs. Grant did indeed give Joanna Sherman a long, deep look.

Chad Jennings’s heart leaped with joy as he heard Old Mrs. Grant say, "I originally had something to say to you, but since Miss Sherman has been mentioned, she truly does deserve some praise."

"Indeed, very few young people can achieve what she has. Among all the people I know, there is only one other person who can build a rocket." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Chad Jennings froze for a second.

’There’s another girl who can build rockets?’

’But even if there is, she must be from overseas.’

’In any case, Old Mrs. Grant is praising my Joanna.’

’I was right to come today!’

"Thank you for the praise, Old Mrs. Grant," Chad Jennings said, brimming with pride. "I wonder, what was it you wanted to say to me?"

He wore an expression of humble receptiveness.

’Since Old Mrs. Grant appreciates Joanna, she’ll surely have something pleasant to say.’

’She might even offer some benefits to the Jennings and Sherman families.’

’After all, Joanna’s career is on the rise, and Old Master Grant is in charge of the heavy industry sector for the Grant family.’

’If even a tiny bit of business slips through his fingers to her, Joanna’s career will skyrocket.’

’And I’d be able to skim plenty of benefits off the top.’

Old Mrs. Grant looked at Chad Jennings, her gaze steady. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. Jennings. My daughter-in-law’s will specifically stated that you and your family are not permitted to enter."

"All of you, please leave."

The smile on Chad Jennings’s face froze instantly!

His mouth hung slightly open as he stared dumbly at Old Mrs. Grant, in complete disbelief.

Joanna Sherman and Yvonne Sherman both flinched. They exchanged a look, then shot a glare at Sophia Shaw!

Joanna Sherman’s fingers clenched violently, a flash of hatred flickering in her eyes.

’She suspected Sophia Shaw had put Skye Sutton up to this!’

"Is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Chad Jennings asked, unwilling to give up.

Old Mrs. Grant pressed her lips together and did not reply.

Lena Grant snorted. "What? Is our dear in-law here going to question a dead person’s wishes?"

"No, absolutely not!" Chad Jennings was thoroughly frightened.

Questioning the dead was a great sign of disrespect.

That made it even more impossible for them to stay.

The wishes of the deceased are paramount. If she didn’t want someone to attend, they could not attend!

Chad Jennings had no choice but to take Yvonne Sherman by the hand and shuffle out in disgrace.

Joanna Sherman was proud and arrogant. Even as she was being kicked out, she held her head high and puffed out her chest, carrying herself with an air that said, ’You’re the blind ones for kicking me out.’

"Miss Sherman."

Old Mrs. Grant suddenly called out to her. "I forgot to tell you something."

She spoke slowly, enunciating every word. "That girl I mentioned earlier, the one who builds rockets? She’s about your age, but she spends less than a tenth of the money you do."

"Miss Sherman, perhaps you should learn a thing or two from her."

Joanna Sherman: "..."

Old Mrs. Grant was blatantly accusing her of wasting Vincent Grant’s money!

Joanna Sherman had always been proud of her ability to build and launch rockets; she’d never once thought about the cost. For Old Mrs. Grant to bring it up in public like this was a direct slap to her face!

’She was saying I was incompetent and just a money pit!’