Raelynn was stunned. Does Arthur really hate me that much?I am not some monstrous creature, so why did he refuse to even let me touch Ashley’s hand? She stared blankly at her outstretched hand, momentarily at a loss. "Arthur! You—" Julie and the others instinctively wanted to say something. How could Arthur embarrass Raelynn like this in front of so many people? He was making her lose face! But the moment they met Arthur’s cold, piercing gaze, the words caught in their throats. Raelynn stood frozen for a long moment before finally snapping back to reality. No—she had to get Arthur’s forgiveness. She couldn’t give up now! Her eyes suddenly shifted toward Spencer and Nancy. When she first heard how well Arthur treated them—gifting them jade Ruyi ornaments, a cherry wood tea table—jealousy had burned within her. Arthur had become successful, yet she, his own biological mother, had never received anything from him. Not even the slightest benefit of his success. Meanwhile, Spencer and Nancy, who were merely Ashley’s parents, were already enjoying Arthur’s generosity, even though he and Ashley weren’t even married yet. Why should they be treated so well while I get nothing? She had noticed them when she entered but had deliberately avoided acknowledging them. Yet, they had been just as rude, not even bothering to greet her, Arthur’s birth mother! How disrespectful! But now, she had no choice but to turn to them for help. Forcing a smile, Raelynn looked at Spencer and Nancy and spoke in a gentle tone. "You must be my in-laws?" Spencer and Nancy had been debating whether they should say something. Suddenly being addressed directly by Raelynn made them feel awkward. Still, they responded politely, "Mrs. Gray, hello." The words "in-laws" were not something they dared to accept without Arthur’s approval. Like Ashley, they respected Arthur’s wishes above all else. They would never cause trouble for him. If Arthur wanted to mend ties with his parents, they would support him and maintain a good relationship for his sake.But if he refused, they would never force it. Still, as a fellow woman, Nancy couldn’t bring herself to like Raelynn’s attitude. Hearing their response, Raelynn frowned. They say a mother and child can never truly hold grudges overnight. What happened between Arthur and me is a family matter. Yet these two, at his engagement party, not only failed to show her proper respect but also refused to even address her differently. Wasn’t this a blatant show of disrespect? Were they condemning her for how she had treated Arthur in the past? Raelynn felt a flicker of anger. Julie and the others sensed the shift as well. Susie, who didn’t think as much as Raelynn, immediately blurted, "Why are you still calling my mother ‘Mrs. Gray’? She’s already addressed you as in-laws!" The room fell silent. Spencer and Nancy became even more uncomfortable. They instinctively looked toward Arthur, waiting for him to make the call. Raelynn also turned to Arthur. Although Susie’s words were blunt, they perfectly expressed what she wanted to say. She locked eyes on Arthur, waiting for him to stand up for her! No matter how she had treated him in the past, Arthur had always sided with her. Even though they had been estranged for two years, she firmly believed that their bond as mother and son still existed. Arthur was only acting out of anger. He was still upset over the past. But now, faced with outsiders, Arthur would surely defend her! Spencer and Nancy had only agreed to let their daughter marry Arthur because he was the chairman of Cloudia Corporation. Raelynn had also heard about it—the Gibson family was no longer what they used to be. They had fallen from grace. I am Arthur’s birth mother. If they don’t try to curry favor with me, what will they do if I suddenly refuse to approve of their marriage? Where will they go crying then? She saw nothing wrong with this logic. The blood bond between her and Arthur was the strongest tie of all—one that could never truly be severed. But reality was far from what she had imagined.Hearing Susie’s words, Arthur’s brows furrowed even deeper. His voice was sharp with displeasure as he responded, "Haven’t I made myself clear? I have nothing to do with you anymore! Where is this ‘in-law’ nonsense coming from?" A wave of shock rippled through the room. Spencer and Nancy exchanged a glance, their expressions complicated. Arthur had endured too much hardship as a child. From now on, they were determined to treat him with twice the love and care, to make sure he finally had a warm and comfortable home. Raelynn stared at Arthur in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to say something like that—not here, not in front of so many people.