What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 129

Elaine's face burned with humiliation. She didn't say another word.

Finnian felt his throat tighten as he watched his grandmother lecture his mother. He couldn't help but look at Kaia.

She looked completely unaffected, calmly putting food on Brynlee's plate as if nothing had happened.

"Grandmother, Mom, Kaia told me about her work beforehand. She didn't skip it on purpose. So, you can't blame her for this," Finnian tried to smooth things over, desperate to save some face for everyone involved.

His vague, fence-sitting defense only made Elaine's dark, flushed face look even more displeased.

Josephine didn't even bat an eye.

Noelle had been practically vibrating with excitement, hoping to watch Kaia get publicly humiliated and torn down. But the storm had passed just as quickly as it started, leaving her bitterly disappointed.

Trying to regain an ounce of dignity, Elaine softened her tone and said, "Well, since you discussed it beforehand, just be careful in the future. After all, family harmony is more important than any job. I hope you understand that, Kaia."

Kaia looked up and replied flatly, "I understand, Mom."

After dinner, Kaia and Brynlee stayed at the estate. Finnian took his daughter upstairs after they ate, while Kaia went to give Josephine a physical therapy session.

Elaine was absolutely furious. As Noelle was about to leave, Elaine grabbed her bag and marched over. "Noelle, I'm staying at your place tonight. We need to talk about what happened at the dinner."

Noelle immediately opened the passenger door. "Get in, Mom."

As soon as they arrived at the luxury apartment, Noelle quickly lit a calming aromatherapy candle.

Elaine loved how attentive and considerate Noelle always was.

Noelle brought over a cup of freshly brewed ginseng tea and sat beside her on the sofa. "Have some tea, Mom."

The deep frown lines between Elaine's brows were starkly visible. She took a sip, then scoffed. "Kaia is getting way too independent. She actually used the old lady's authority to provoke me?"

Noelle sat perfectly submissive, her voice as soft as a feather. "Mom, please don't be so angry. I know you feel wronged. With Grandmother and the uncles there, it's hard for you to defend yourself."

Noelle feigned shock. "Mom, what's wrong with Kaia's mom? Did she say something?"

Elaine put on her haughty, matriarchal sneer. "I don't even take her seriously. The Chavez family acts like they're some elite intellectual family, thinking they're on equal footing with the Sanders. They don't know their place."

Noelle's heart leaped with joy. Kaia's mother must have said something incredibly offensive to piss Elaine off this much.

"Mom, don't be mad. An outsider relying on her daughter's marriage into the Sanders family for status... she really thinks she's a big deal," Noelle said, fully standing on Elaine's side and completely tearing the Chavez family down.

"Exactly! She acts like they did us a favor by letting her daughter marry into the Sanders family. Without our family, without Finnian, would Kaia have the success she has today? So ungrateful. I really don't want to deal with a relative like that." Elaine grew more agitated the more she spoke, especially loving that someone was validating her feelings.

Noelle gently massaged Elaine's back, playing the perfect, quiet listener.

"Mom, I heard a rumor from someone... before Kaia got married, her parents actually wanted to set her up with the Kendrick family. Kaia and Director Kendrick are childhood sweethearts, and her parents absolutely loved him..."

Elaine's eyes instantly turned icy. "If they really looked down on my son, why did they marry her off to him? Wasn't it just because our family is richer and more powerful than the Kendricks?"