That old hag never used to say that! Really, distance makes the heart grow fonder, but being too close only shows the stink. Back then, she always complained that Scarlett was just a pampered vase, while Lillian was the truly virtuous one. And now she dares to say Lillian isn't as good as Scarlett? Lillian was so furious that she wanted to smash the food over the old woman's head. However, she did not act on it, nor did she plan to go upstairs and argue. Jacob was a dutiful son, so if she really fought with his mother, the only one to lose out would be herself. Let the old hag scold all she wanted; it was not like a few curses would cost her a piece of flesh. Once she found a stronger backer, she would toss this mother and son aside like garbage. Lillian went down to the second floor, just in time to see Jacob poking his head out of the bedroom. "What's going on? What's Mom yelling about upstairs?" Lillian smoothed her expression and replied gently, "Nothing. She said she misses her ex-daughter-in-law." Jacob froze, then frowned. "Why would she miss her?" He hated it when people brought up the past, so his face darkened. "She's just bored upstairs. Find her something to do." Lillian coaxed softly, "She can't watch TV right now, and there's nothing else to kill time with ... How about letting her clean her own room? At least it'll give her something to do." Jacob thought it over, then nodded. "Alright. The elderly can't just sit still all day, or their bodies will only get worse." Lillian curved her lips. "Okay, I'll go tell her." Jacob grunted and went back into the bedroom. Lillian thought to herself, See? Making a big scene was useless. If she clashed with the old woman, Jacob might even side against her. One against two, she would always lose. But as long as she spoke sweetly and won her husband over, what tricks could that old hag really pull? She handed the dirty dishes to Rosalie and headed back upstairs. Inside, Maisie was still cursing nonstop. Lillian pushed open the door. "Maisie." Maisie snorted coldly when she saw her. "Back to apologize?" Lillian arched a brow. "Apologize for what?" Maisie was nearly choked by her attitude. After a pause, she snapped, "Then what are you here for?" Lillian smirked faintly. "Oh, Jacob asked me to tell you that from now on, you'll be cleaning your own room." Maisie was stunned. "What did you say?" Lillian did not bother explaining further. "Message delivered. If you don't believe me, ask Jacob yourself." Maisie knew she would not dare say this without his backing, which only infuriated her more."You shameless vixen! All you do is bat your lashes and whisper sweet nothings to my son!" Lillian ignored her and went straight downstairs. While the Ashford house was filled with noise and quarrels, the Mervyns' villa was somber. Dave sat at the head of the dining table, sternly asking the butler, "Why were there gunshots outside? Did the Hollands fire?" The butler bowed respectfully. "I've already sent men to check. We'll have word shortly." Dave nodded, then turned to his son, who was wolfing down steak, and scolded him harshly. "So indifferent to everything! All you know is eating, drinking, and playing around!" Theodore lazily looked up at his father, then carried on eating without a care. "Dad, you're so capable. What could you possibly need me to worry about?" Dave snorted. "Let's just hope I live long enough to die after you. Otherwise, the Mervyns will be ruined in your hands!" Theodore grinned cheekily. "Then I'll thank you in advance for raising me till the end!" Dave was so angry that he almost hurled his fork at him. Just then, the family's guards came in with two estate gatekeepers. Dave cleared his throat and set down his utensils. The guards and gatekeepers bowed in greeting. "Good evening, Mr. Dave!" Then they turned to Theodore. "Good evening, Mr. Theodore!" Dave fixed them with a sharp gaze. "What's going on outside? Why were there gunshots?"The head guard replied first. "Sir, it was a new female resident. She fired at Mrs. Bolton and her daughter." "A new resident?" Theodore perked up with interest. Dave glared at him, then pressed on. "How did a new resident get in?" One of the gatekeepers stepped forward. "Sir, she's a friend of Mr. Holland. He recommended her." It was Walter, the gatekeeper, who knew Natalie. He shot a glance at his partner, both feeling uneasy. The moment they'd heard the gunshots, they had known trouble was brewing. They knew Natalie was not someone to mess with, but who would have thought, on her very first day moving in, she had already caused such a stir? She'd shot Isabelle and her daughter, then dragged them out in public! Now the entire neighborhood knew this woman had moved in with a gun. Talk about making an entrance. Still, everyone understood one thing: it's better to appease the one holding the gun than to cross her.