Sophia emerged from the villa, her steps quick and deliberate, with a poised and elegant noblewoman following closely behind. Sophia’s face lit up as she hurried toward Gavin, her hand outstretched as if to take his arm. But the moment her eyes landed on Liza, she froze, quickly retreating two steps as though startled. Her head lowered, and her voice trembled in feigned nervousness. “M-Miss Liza, you’re here too.” Liza narrowed her eyes, immediately recognizing Sophia’s overly dramatic act. Pretending again, huh? It seemed that the Reed Family, despite their earlier troubles, had not learned their lesson. She and Gavin had discussed dealing with them before, and yet here they were, boldly returning so soon. Had they found someone powerful to back them up this time? Her gaze shifted to the noblewoman trailing behind Sophia. The woman radiated an air of sophistication and authority, and the sight of her instantly piqued Liza’s curiosity. She observed her discreetly, taking note of the housekeeper standing silently behind the woman, their demeanor a stark contrast to their usual boldness. The way Sophia’s expression glimmered with smugness only confirmed Liza’s suspicions. The woman was likely Lady Edna—Gavin’s mother and the matriarch of the Stone family. Draped in a luxurious shawl, Lady Edna exuded elegance. Her understated yet opulent jewelry and refined attire reflected her superior status. Her polished appearance seemed designed to command attention and admiration without appearing excessive. She embodied grace, with every detail of her look meticulously curated. In stark contrast, Sophia was dressed in a dazzling, diamond-encrusted gown, her hair styled to perfection and her makeup immaculate. It was clear she had gone to great lengths to present herself as poised and desirable. Liza glanced at herself and felt no particular concern. Her outfit—a simple tracksuit—was comfortable but unremarkable. Her hair hung loose without much effort, and she hadn’t bothered with makeup, save for a quick swipe of lip balm. She had never cared to compete in such superficial battles. Lady Edna’s sharp gaze landed on Liza, appraising her with a cold indifference that carried an air of superiority. “So, you’re Liza?” The disdain in her voice was palpable, and there wasn’t even a pretense of courtesy. Gavin’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly. Liza remained calm, her eyes flicking toward Sophia briefly. She was now certain that Lady Edna was Sophia’s new ally, giving her the audacity to approach Gavin despite his earlier warnings. Before Liza could respond, Sophia spoke up in a sweet, submissive tone. “Lady Edna, this is Miss Liza…” Lady Edna cut her off with a sharp, derisive laugh. “Tsk, a girl like you, seducing someone else’s fiancé at such a young age. How utterly shameless! Sophia, don’t you worry. There’s no place in the Stone family for someone with such disgraceful behavior.”Liza’s expression darkened, her calm demeanor cracking slightly. The blatant insult didn’t escape her, but she kept her composure, her mind already working on her next move. Lady Edna’s sneer was icy as she spoke, her voice dripping with authority. “Gavin, since you’ve already decided to marry Sophia, it’s your responsibility to treat her properly. What is the meaning of bringing a woman of questionable character into your home? Let me make things clear—starting today, Sophia will move into Longwan Residential to help foster your relationship.” Her words sent a chill through the air, freezing the atmosphere in an instant. Gavin’s sharp gaze swept over the room, his peach blossom eyes darkening with a stormy intensity. His tone was cold and deliberate as he spoke, “And what authority does you possess to make such decisions? Have you been granted the Husband’s Decree?” Lady Edna stiffened, the blood draining from her face. The Husband’s Decree. It was a sacred token within the Stone family, one that symbolized ultimate authority and legitimacy for the family’s matriarch. Only the true mistress of the Stone family—recognized and respected by all—could wield it. At present, Lady Edna did not possess it, and she knew she never had. Desperate to regain control of the conversation, Lady Edna pressed on, her voice shaking slightly. “Gavin, I’m your mother. Would I ever steer you wrong? This woman is not suitable for you. You may play around with her if you wish, but marriage? Absolutely not. Sophia is irreplaceable. Divorce this woman immediately!” In response, Gavin extended a hand toward Liza, his movements casual yet firm. “Come,” he said in a calm but dismissive tone. “We don’t need to waste time listening to such nonsense.” Lady Edna’s expression twisted with fury. His blatant disobedience stung, and she felt her authority slipping further out of reach. Was she, the mother of the Stone family’s heir, truly so insignificant just because she lacked the Husband’s Decree? Obtaining the Husband’s Decree was no simple matter. In fact, it had not been seen or granted for over a century. For the past three generations, no woman in the Stone family had managed to acquire it. The decree was not handed out lightly—it represented ultimate trust and power, something no head of the family would give up easily. Sophia leaned gently against Lady Edna’s shoulder, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice was soft and seemingly considerate. “Lady Edna, it’s fine. Please don’t let this ruin your relationship with Brother Gavin because of me. I’ll be okay.” Hearing Sophia’s words, Lady Edna’s resolve returned. She couldn’t let her purpose for coming here today go unfulfilled. Straightening her posture, her gaze hardened. “Let’s go inside. I refuse to believe that Gavin would truly dare to throw the two of us out for that illiterate !” Meanwhile, Liza observed the scene with mild amusement, her thoughts drifting toward the legendary Husband’s Decree. She had heard whispers of its origins—a relic born out of necessity during a time of crisis. Generations ago, the head of the Stone family had made a disastrous decision that nearly brought the family to ruin. In the darkest hour, it was his wife who stepped forward, taking charge and leading the family out of the chaos. Her bravery and wisdom had been wonderful, and the Stone family, grateful for her leadership, established the Husband’s Decree to ensure such a safeguard would always exist. The decree granted its holder—the matriarch—the power to intervene in the family’s affairs. If the family head acted against the family’s interests, the decree’s holder could overrule them, even going so far as to strip them of their position and appoint a new leader. However, the decree was also seen as a double-edged sword—a constant threat to the head of the family’s authority. For this reason, it had not been granted for over a hundred years, its power too great to wield lightly. As these thoughts crossed Liza’s mind, she couldn’t help but smirk faintly. The mighty Lady Edna, for all her pride , was ultimately powerless without the decree. And now, the tension in Longwan Residential was only just beginning to brew.