CHAPTER 452: WHO CARES?

"Selina is still young after all. Besides, it’s not our time now. Hot pot is not something to be ashamed of. I remember that this hot pot restaurant was invested by the young master of the Butler family."

Hannah walked over to Selina and gently took her hand, smiling warmly. "Besides, Selina didn’t grow up with the Morris Family. Joe, it’s unfair to demand she feel attached to us."

Then she added soothingly, "Selina, don’t take it to heart."

Joe lowered his head in shame.

Grandma Morris’s throat tightened. She wanted to argue, but Hannah was from the Hill Family—someone she couldn’t afford to offend. She swallowed the anger down and saved it for Selina later.

Selina studied Hannah with clear interest. Hannah let her look, smiling graciously.

Selina narrowed her eyes.

Something about this felt... off.

"Hannah, you’re right. I’ve been too harsh on Selina." Joe’s voice was thick with guilt. "Selina, I’m sorry. We rarely see each other these days. Would you... would you have dinner with Dad tonight?"

Selina raised an eyebrow. "Even if I agreed, I doubt Grandma Morris would want to eat with me. Let’s skip it."

Joe’s face flushed red.

"Joe," Hannah said softly, "Selina and Logan are newlyweds out for dinner. We elders shouldn’t intrude. Newlyweds want to be glued together all the time. Mr. Reid, don’t you think so?"

Logan gave her a long, meaningful look.

If he didn’t know what Hannah had been like in her youth, he might’ve believed she really was this gentle, accommodating person who only thought of others.

Joe sighed. "Hannah, you really think of everything."

He hadn’t wanted to date again at first. He didn’t want to betray Victoria. But Hannah was so graceful, so warm, so composed—she’d won him over with every little gesture.

Most importantly, Hannah seemed to care about Selina. He thought she’d be a wonderful stepmother.

Nearby, a few people were whispering.

"Who’s that with the Morris chairman?"

"That’s Mrs. Morris! I heard she’s from the Hill Family."

"So that’s Mrs. Morris. I’ve never seen her before."

Hannah’s smile widened, completely satisfied, as if their words had lifted her onto a pedestal.

Mrs. Morris. Finally, that title belonged to her.

When people talked about Mrs. Morris, they would think of Hannah, not Victoria.

Just like twenty-some years ago, when Miss Hill had always meant her.

Hannah’s smile grew more smug. She was about to speak again when she suddenly heard Selina’s calm voice.

"Chairman Morris, where’s Kyle?"

Joe hadn’t expected that. He blinked, then looked down, uneasy.

Kyle had been acting up lately. Ever since Angelica was exposed, he’d gotten into a massive fight with Grandma Morris.

And the reason for the fight?

Hannah.

Kyle refused to call Hannah Mom, but Grandma Morris kept forcing him to accept his new stepmother.

Joe mumbled something vague. "Kyle’s just... busy."

"You used to act like one big family with Angelica. Now..." Selina paused, her gaze sweeping over them coolly. "Now it’s you three who look like the real family."

Joe’s face turned bright red.

Grandma Morris snapped furiously, "What do you mean by that?!"

Selina’s tone stayed breezy. "Can’t you tell? I’m complimenting how close-knit and loving you all are."

These restaurants were all upscale, full of well-off clientele. More than a few people in the same social circles as the Morris Family overheard Selina’s words and began to whisper curiously among themselves.

"Haven’t seen young Master Morris in ages. I heard he’s not too fond of his new stepmother, even moved out of the Morris estate because of her..."

"Really? Why doesn’t he like Mrs. Morris?"

"Not sure, but word is he refused to call her ’Mom.’ Mrs. Morris and Grandma Morris got mad, they had this huge fight, and he just moved out."

At that, people’s expressions turned a little odd.

Forget that the Morris and Hill Families were some big society match—even in regular families with a second marriage, you rarely heard of someone forcing a 25- or 26-year-old to call a new stepmother Mom.

And Joe had mourned Kyle’s birth mother for years. Kyle, growing up with that influence, had a strong bond with his mom’s memory. It was only natural he didn’t want to call another woman Mom.

Just now, everyone had praised Mrs. Morris for being sensible. But she wasn’t even officially married yet and had already driven the man’s son out of the house...

Grandma Morris wasn’t stupid. She knew exactly what Selina was doing.

Bringing up Kyle on purpose. Deliberately making everyone judge the Morris Family, saying they’d sell out even their son for a Hill Family marriage and the Ye family’s wealth!

Grandma Morris nearly shrieked in rage.

"Shut your mouth! Your mother was trash with no manners, and her kids are the same—no upbringing! You’ll never step through the Morris Family’s doors for the rest of your life!"

Joe’s face flushed again. Guilt twisted in his gut, but he didn’t know what to say. He stammered, "Selina, d-don’t say things like that, we’re family, I..."

"Sorry, I’m uncultured."

Selina turned to the side with icy precision.

"Guess I’m not good enough to dine with the classy Morris Family. But Grandma Morris..."

She paused deliberately, her voice pointed.

"Morris Family isn’t exactly some hot commodity. That front door of yours isn’t so irresistible. If you’re lucky enough that Ms. Hill wants in, you’d better hold on tight."

No one could quite tell exactly who she was mocking, but Grandma Morris and Hannah both went stiff, grinding their teeth.

Joe hadn’t even opened his mouth before Selina turned and walked straight into the hot pot place.

Joe stood there helpless, wanting to go after her, but Grandma Morris was glaring at him like she wanted to kill him. He stayed frozen, wringing his hands.

"Mom, you promised me—you said you’d talk nicely when you saw Selina, you..."

"Talk nicely? Did you see her acting like a respectful kid? She was the one back-talking. She’s the one with no manners! Oh, Joe, now you’ve got your daughter so you don’t need your own mother anymore, huh? Fine! I’ll just go die!"

"Go chase after Selina, go on! Don’t worry about this old woman! Go!"

Hannah hurried to hold Grandma Morris’s arm.

"Please, don’t be upset, Madam. Joe didn’t mean it like that. Joe, say something! Selina’s with Mr. Reid, she’ll be fine—just calm the old madam down!"

Joe caved instantly, face red.

"Mom, please, don’t say that—I didn’t mean it like that..."

Seeing Joe give in again, Grandma Morris finally eased up and let out a satisfied huff.

"Joe, listen to your mother. I’m only thinking of you!"

...

Selina let out a cold laugh as she walked away.

"Momma’s boy."