bChapter /b54

bCharlotte /bbwore /bba /bbpale /bblue dress that brushed her bankles/bb, /bher blong /bbhair /bbswept /bbup /bbwith /bba /bbdelicate /bbhairpin/b, and her makeup subtle, barely there.

She stood dutifully by her mother–inw Miranda’s side, every gesture and movement graceful, her manners impable.

All this decorum was drilled into her years ago, right after she married into the Howard family–rules set by Rosemary herself.

For six months, Charlotte studied etiquette; then, for the next two years, she learned music, chess, literature, and painting. All because of a single line from Rosemary: “As the Howard family’s daughter–inw, you must never bring shame to our name.” Rosemary had been strict, sometimes even harsh, but Charlotte had to admitb, /bshe’d learned a lot from her.

When Miranda had finished greeting the distinguished guests, she turned to Charlotte. “Where’s Evander? It’s his grandmother’s birthday–how is he still not here?”

Charlotte answered honestly, “I’ve already messaged him, but he hasn’t replied.”

Miranda snorted. “Useless. Can’t even keep your own husband in check. You might as well get a divorce and save yourself the trouble.”

With that, Miranda turned on her heel and walked away toward the matriarch.

Charlotte stood there for a moment, her fingers tightening around her champagne ss. She set it down, and as she turned, she saw Evander enter the room, surrounded by the sons of the city’s elite.

He wore a light–colored suit, a sharp contrast to his usual somber attire, looking every bit the refined gentleman, with a calm elegance that drew every eye.

He made his way to Rosemary, stopping at her side to offer his arm. “Grandma, sorry I’mte.”

Rosemary gave a low, amused hum. “I’m actually surprised you bothered to show up.” Her gaze drifted to Charlotte.

Charlotte didn’t wait for her to speak; she’d already caught the hint. She stepped forward and greeted her quietly, “Grandma.”

Everyone present knew Charlotte was the Howard family’s daughter–inw, but the

b09:40 /b

bfamily /bbhad /bbnever /bbpublicly /bbannounced /bthe marriage.

bEveryone /bbIn /btheir bsocial /bcircle bunderstood/b, bbut /bbno /bbone /bbdared /bbto /bbsay /bbit /bbaloud /b

bRosemary /bbtook /bCharlotte’s hand. “Didn’t you always want bto head /bbthe /bbmitochondrial /bnanotherapy project? I’ve decided to give it to you. You can take bit /bbon /bbwith /bbmy /bblessing.”

Charlotte stared at her in disbelief.

She wasn’t the only one–Miranda and Evander both looked stunned.

“Mother, why would you give her that project? She’s just a-” Miranda caught herself before saying “doctor” out loud, unwilling to embarrass herself in front of everyoneb, /bbut her disdain for Charlotte’s profession was clear.

A mere doctor, not even a department head–entrusting her with a cutting–edge medical research project? What a waste.

Charlotte ignored Miranda. “Grandma, are you sure? But my mentor spoke to you about this before, and you…”

The Howard family’s ess to medical technology was all thanks to Rosemary. Years ago, when the country’s hospitals barely had any decent equipment, Rosemary had invested her own money to fund the development of the first X–ray machine.

Even now, her portrait still hung on the wall of Royalis Medical University’s hall of

honor.

Back then, Professor Carstairs had tried to persuade Rosemary to support the mitochondrial nanotherapy project, but she’d declined.

Rosemary patted Charlotte’s hand. “I just couldn’t find the right person for the job. Then I remembered what your mentor said, and I thought–why not? I trust you with

it.”

“Thank you, Grandma.” Charlotte’s joy was unmistakable.

Evander watched her quietly from the side, his expression unreadable.

“The olddy really does spoil her granddaughter–inw,” someone whispered.

“She treats her almost better than her own granddaughter.”

All around, the guests were envious. Everyone had assumed that Charlotte, married in secret, would be bullied by her husband’s family. Who would have thought the matriarch would be so pleased with her?

b09:40 /b

Chapter b54 /b

Just then, Uncle Jensen–Jensen Howard–arrived fashionablyte with his wife and daughter. Genevieve, beaming, swept past Charlotte without so much as a nce, stopping at Rosemary’s side to present her gift. “Happy birthday, Grandmab! /bWishing you health, happiness, and a hundred more birthdays toe!”

09:40