What did they mean by calling her ill-mannered? Liza barely knew anyone here. How was she supposed to greet people she didn’t even recognize? The noblewoman’s cold laugh broke through Liza’s thoughts, her tone sharp and mocking. “Liza, don’t tell me you don’t know who I am? You’ve been married into the Stone Family for quite some time now, yet you’re still clueless about the family’s elders? How arrogant can you be?” All eyes turned to Liza, their silent judgment loud enough to fill the room. Though no one else spoke, the disdain etched on their faces was unmistakable. The noblewoman’s sneer deepened as she continued, her words dripping with scorn. “It’s clear you’re nothing more than an uncultured woman from the countryside. What on earth did Gavin see in you? I can only imagine it’s your looks—nothing else could have blinded him to your lack of refinement.” Liza clenched her fists, her face flushed with frustration. Her cheeks puffed slightly, betraying her effort to hold back her retort. This was Gavin’s family, after all. She couldn’t afford to say anything rash. Despite her annoyance, she bit her tongue and swallowed her anger. Gavin, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His calm, measured voice carried across the room. “And who are you?” The noblewoman froze, her composure slipping for a brief moment. Her eyes darted to Gavin, and her body stiffened under his gaze. What was he doing? Did he truly not recognize her, or was he deliberately standing up for Liza? A mix of emotions flickered across her face, but she forced a strained smile. “Gavin, there’s no need to act as though you don’t know me just because of her. She’s only a woman. We’re merely trying to help you by teaching her some proper decorum. Given your status, your wife’s behavior reflects directly on you. If she doesn’t carry herself well, it could become a source of embarrassment for you, don’t you think?” Her words seemed to reassure the others, who exchanged glances and let out quiet sighs of relief. For a fleeting moment, they had feared that Gavin genuinely didn’t recognize the noblewoman. After all, he rarely visited the Stone Family’s old residence and paid little attention to its members. Given his status, there was no need for him to engage deeply with them. However, now they rationalized his behavior as a subtle attempt to shield Liza from further humiliation. He was likely pretending not to know the noblewoman to preserve his wife’s dignity. Still, they couldn’t help but find his approach troubling. They were, after all, Gavin’s relatives—bound to him by blood and family ties. No matter how important Liza’s position as his wife was, could she ever truly outrank them in the family’s hierarchy? As the Stone Family members exchanged dissatisfied looks at Gavin’s dismissive attitude, his calm voice broke the tension. “I genuinely don’t know who you are,” he stated matter-of-factly. After a brief pause, he added, his tone casual yet piercing, “I’ve got a lot on my plate—business, responsibilities, and actual important matters. Why would I waste time remembering irrelevant people?” The room fell silent, his words cutting through the air like a blade. The noblewoman who had spoken earlier paled visibly. She had not anticipated being dismissed so bluntly, especially in front of everyone. Yet, she dared not respond—Gavin’s authority and standing in the family left no room for argument. Without sparing her another glance, Gavin gently held Liza’s hand and turned toward the door. “You don’t need to bother remembering people like this. Let’s go find Grandma first.” Liza eagerly nodded, a gleam of admiration in her eyes. To her, Gavin’s decisiveness was nothing short of impressive. So this is the charm of the Stone Family’s head, she thought, her heart skipping a beat. But just as they were about to leave, Lady Edna abruptly stood up. “Gavin,” she called out, her voice sharp and deliberate. “Your grandmother is still taking her afternoon nap. She knows you’re here, but she needs her rest. Meanwhile, we’ve been waiting here for ages, and now you’re rushing off to see her as if the rest of us don’t exist? If people hear about this, they’ll think I’ve mistreated you as your mother.” Her gaze then shifted to a young woman seated on her left. The woman, no more than 20 years old, had a delicate charm about her. Her almond-shaped eyes darted toward Gavin occasionally, only to lower shyly when caught. Lady Edna continued with a faint smile, “I understand you don’t like Sophia, so I won’t insist anymore. But here’s your uncle’s daughter. She’s just graduated from university, and I heard your company needs a female secretary. She’s smart, capable, and eager to learn. Why not let her try?” The noblewoman from earlier, regaining her composure, chimed in enthusiastically, her tone thick with flattery. “Exactly! This girl is exceptional—beautiful, well-mannered, and a graduate of a prestigious university. She’s far superior to certain people!” Her gaze lingered on Liza, her disdain clear, before she turned back to Gavin with a fawning smile. “Didn’t Stone Corporation recently expand into fashion design? She graduated with a degree in design. With her expertise, she’d be a perfect fit for your company. Her talent would undoubtedly elevate your work to new heights.” She then nudged the young woman with her eyes, urging her to speak up and showcase her worth.