Alina blinked in surprise.
Since childhood, people had often said she bore a resemblance to Jessica's mother, and she had believed it herself.
Only later did she discover that Kristy was related to Lynda Hayes, which made the resemblance far less surprising.
With a sneer, Kenzie Gilbert spoke again, her voice dripping with contempt. "Compare her to Lynda? Don't make me laugh."
Turning her attention to Alina, she spoke in a mocking tone. "Alina, you shameless woman. Stealing Jessica's belongings wasn't enough for you? Now you're going after her marriage, too. You're disgusting."
Before anyone could react, a sharp slap echoed through the room.
Kenzie sat there, stunned, taking a few seconds to process what had just happened. When it sank in, she glared at Alina in disbelief. "Alina, you worthless thing, how dare you hit me?"
As one of Jessica's close friends, Kenzie frequently visited the Hayes family's residence.
Because Jessica often spoke poorly of Alina, Kenzie had long held a deep dislike for her.
Now that she had been struck by someone she looked down on, anger surged through her. She raised her hand, ready to retaliate.
Alina's voice cut through sharply. "Kenzie, I'm your uncle's wife now."
Kenzie froze mid-motion. That was undeniable. Kellan was her uncle.
Watching her daughter falter, Kenzie's mother looked at Alina with open disdain and spoke coldly. "Alina, you're nothing more than a servant's daughter. Even if you forced your way into marrying Kellan, he'll never truly accept you."
As she snapped out of it, Kenzie's temper flared again. "Exactly! Don't think your status can suppress me, you shameless woman. I'll make you pay!"
With that, she lifted her hand once more.
Before it could land, her wrist was seized firmly.
Looking up, Kenzie met a pair of icy eyes and immediately stiffened. Her voice softened. "Uncle Kellan."
A thought struck her, and excitement returned. "Uncle Kellan, you came at the right time! This woman is nothing but a servant's daughter from the Hayes family. She even dares to dream of marrying you. She's completely shameless. You can't let her stay!"
After saying that, Kenzie shot Alina a smug look. In her mind, Kellan's cold nature meant Alina was finished.
Kellan looked at Alina's calm face, then abruptly flung Kenzie's hand aside.
His voice turned low as he addressed Alina. "You've got quite the courage to strike a Gilbert."
Alina met his gaze with a smile. "Wasn't it you who gave me that confidence, Mr. Gilbert?"
A laugh left Kellan.
Rubbing her aching wrist, Kenzie stared at Alina with resentment, waiting for her downfall.
Instead, Kellan placed a hand on Alina's shoulder, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're right. As my wife, you have every right to discipline my niece."
The smiles on Kenzie's and her mother's faces stiffened instantly. Was Kellan really planning to marry Alina, a mere servant's daughter? Had he lost his mind?
Pamela, however, reacted without hesitation. Turning to Alina with a warm smile, she spoke. "You're Alina, right? My dear, from today on, you're part of this family. Here, take this as a welcome gift."
As she spoke, Pamela removed the diamond bracelet from her wrist, a treasured family heirloom she had worn for years, and gently slipped it onto Alina's hand.
Across the room, Kenzie's mother clenched her fist so tightly her nails dug into her skin.
She had been married into the Gilbert family for years and had always held her position as the lady of the house, yet Pamela had never offered her that bracelet. Now, the moment Alina appeared, it was handed over without hesitation. The favoritism couldn't have been more obvious.
Alina was caught off guard and instinctively wanted to decline. After all, her marriage with Kellan was nothing more than an arrangement. The diamonds glittered under the light, clearly worth a fortune, far beyond something she felt comfortable accepting.
Before she could speak, Kellan's calm voice cut in, "Since my mother gave it to you, accept it."
Alina realized she had no reason left to say no, so she took it. "Thank you, Pamela."
Pamela's smile deepened as she looked at Alina, growing more pleased with each passing second.
Kenzie felt as if anger might burst out of her at any second.
A servant's daughter had actually married her uncle, and to her, that was the worst disgrace imaginable. She could already picture her friends laughing behind her back.
Taking Alina's hand, Pamela began introducing her to the rest of the Gilbert family.
Although their expressions hinted at disdain for Alina's background, they still offered her gifts out of courtesy.
Kenzie's mother hid a calculating gleam behind her smile as she spoke. "Since it's the first day Alina joins our family, the kitchen has prepared a grand meal. Shall we head in and enjoy it?"
At those words, Kenzie's eyes brightened once more. The dinner tonight featured exquisite dishes that demanded perfect etiquette, making it the ideal chance to test someone's refinement. A servant's daughter like Alina would surely embarrass herself. Once that happened, would Kellan and Pamela still favor her?
With that thought in mind, Kenzie walked toward the dining room, unable to hide her excitement.
The table was already filled with luxurious dishes, and Kenzie wasted no time picking up a lobster, placing it onto Alina's plate.
At that moment, every gaze in the room turned toward her.
