When Alora saw what was happening at the dining table, her voice immediately rang out in surprise, tinged with disapproval. “Liza, Gavin doesn’t like carrots! And the other dishes you’re putting in his bowl—he’s never been fond of those either. Why are you forcing him to eat them? As his wife, shouldn’t you know better how to take care of him?” Liza’s hand froze mid-movement, her gaze lifting to meet Alora’s. This woman came back already? Without hesitation, Alora hurried over, her face filled with exaggerated worry as she turned her attention to Gavin. “Gavin, stop eating that,” she urged softly, as if trying to rescue him from some great ordeal. Then, as if she were a teacher scolding a student, Alora shifted her focus back to Liza, frowning deeply. “Liza, are you really unaware? Gavin never eats carrots! And more importantly, he doesn’t like it when people put food in his bowl, especially using their own chopsticks. How could you be so careless and inconsiderate of his preferences?” Her words hung in the air for only a moment before Gavin, completely unfazed, picked up the carrot from his bowl with his chopsticks and ate it gracefully.Alora’s jaw nearly dropped, her lips trembling with disbelief. Liza, on the other hand, gave a calm, faint smile. “Miss Alora, didn’t you leave earlier? What brings you back so soon?” Alora’s face stiffened, her eyes darting to Gavin as though she was on the verge of tears. She couldn’t comprehend what she was witnessing. Why? Why would someone as distinguished as Gavin tolerate something he supposedly hated—just because Liza was the one doing it? He despised carrots. He had always been a germaphobe, someone who couldn’t stand others getting too close. Yet here he was, eating food Liza had picked for him, using her own chopsticks no less. James, who had been silent until now, furrowed his brows and finally spoke up. “Gavin! If you don’t like it, then don’t eat it. Why go through this just to appease her? I remember when Alora put food in your bowl before—you didn’t even touch it. But now, you…” Gavin interrupted him with an indifferent tone, his words cutting like a knife. “I am a clean freak, but that only applies to outsiders.” His voice was calm, yet its weight struck like a thunderclap. Alora stood frozen, her face pale as though all the blood had drained from it. Her body trembled slightly. Outsider? That single word echoed in her mind, shredding her composure. She had known Gavin since they were children. They had grown up together, shared years of friendship. And now, he was labeling her an outsider? Her fists clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms. She glanced at Liza, and her heart burned with resentment. It’s all her fault! Alora’s thoughts spiraled further into bitterness. Gavin doesn’t know the truth about her. He doesn’t realize that Liza is just pretending to be someone she’s not. She’s a fraud, an idiot who only got into Li City University through connections. If he knew, he’d see her for who she really is. He’d hate her just as much as I do. Alora managed to compose herself, her expression softening into one of regret as she looked at Liza. With a gentle voice, she said, “Liza, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I only wanted to remind you that Gavin doesn’t like carrots. I got a little carried away. Please don’t take it to heart.” Liza couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Miss Alora sure knows how to change her tune in the blink of an eye. However, Liza simply smiled, a faint curve of her lips that carried a hint of sarcasm as she watched Alora put on her humble act. “Thank you for the reminder, Miss Alora,” Liza replied sweetly, her tone light but with an undeniable sharpness. “But you see, Gavin seems to enjoy eating carrots. In fact, he eats whatever I place in his bowl because, well, I’m Mrs. Stone. And you? You’re just an outsider.” Her words struck like lightning. Why is this woman acting like she has any authority in our home? Liza thought to herself, bemused. If Gavin didn’t like something, he had no problem saying so himself. Did he really need an outsider to speak on his behalf? What Alora didn’t know was that Liza had been deliberately placing the foods she didn’t enjoy into Gavin’s bowl, and he had never once complained. In fact, he ate everything without hesitation. Alora’s body stiffened, her fingers trembling slightly. A storm brewed within her, but she desperately suppressed her rage and bitterness. After a deep breath, she forced a placid smile onto her face.“I only spoke out of concern,” she said, her tone measured and soft. “Gavin and I have been good friends for so many years, and I’ve always hoped for the best for him. I suppose I forgot that he’s married now.” Her eyes turned to Liza, and she added with feigned sincerity, “I hope you don’t hold it against me, Liza.” James, who had been observing the exchange, could no longer stay quiet. Seeing Alora holding back her anger and forcing an apology infuriated him. He felt compelled to step in and expose Liza for the “fraud” he believed she was. James smirked coldly. “Gavin, I heard about something rather interesting that happened at Li City University today. Apparently, someone who got admitted through the back door was publicly exposed, and the university has decided to expel her.” Liza raised an eyebrow at his words, a flicker of amusement flashing in her eyes. She remained seated, calm as ever, not even bothering to address his remark. Gavin’s expression remained neutral, though a faint chill began to emanate from him. James, emboldened by Liza’s silence, turned his attention directly to her. “If I’m not mistaken, Mrs. Stone happens to be the person they’re talking about,” he added, his tone dripping with disdain. Still unfazed, Liza glanced at him before leaning forward to take a bite of the piece of meat Gavin had just placed on her plate. She chewed leisurely, clearly unbothered by James’s accusation. Her composure only stoked James’s irritation. “How shameless!” he snapped. “From what I’ve heard, the only reason she got into Li City University in the first place was because of a sugar daddy pulling strings for her.” The sound of chopsticks being set down on the table broke the tension. Gavin’s expression darkened, his gaze sharp as ice. Alora, sensing the shift in atmosphere, decided to speak up, her voice gentle but probing. “Liza,” she began, tilting her head slightly as if trying to appear understanding, “there are rumors going around that you didn’t take the college entrance exams and managed to get into Li University through connections. Of course, that’s just a rumor, right? I believe someone like you wouldn’t do such a thing.”