Chapter 218

"Auntie, listen to her tone!" Luna White stomped her foot in frustration. They had assumed this country girl, fresh from the rural exams, would back down with just a little intimidation. Instead, the young woman not only stood her ground but left them speechless.

Luna could only glance pleadingly at Clara White. After all, this was Andrew Smith's mother—surely she deserved some respect as an elder?

Clara studied the girl before her. Dressed in a white coat, her gaze clear and steady, there was no trace of the timidity expected from a village girl. "Dr. White, we'd like to speak with you. If it's convenient, perhaps we could find somewhere to sit?"

Luna checked her wristwatch. "I have one more hour before my shift ends. If you're willing to wait, stay outside." She sighed inwardly. The tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was already palpable before their relationship had even begun. That bastard Andrew hadn't even given her a hint about his family background.

Clara nodded. "Very well, we'll wait."

Luna opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp look from Clara silenced her. Reluctantly, she followed her aunt out.

Patients immediately flooded back into the examination room.

"Auntie!" Luna slumped onto the bench outside, her chest tight with anger. "Who does she think she is? A nobody from the countryside, acting so arrogant!"

Clara smoothed the hem of her dress with deliberate calm. "Why lower yourself to squabble with a village girl? Remember your status." She gave her niece a meaningful look. "Your parents raised you better than this."

Luna fell silent. Though Clara was Andrew's mother, she was technically his stepmother. This entire charade was clearly a case of a stepmother meddling in her stepson's marriage.

"I lost my composure," Luna admitted, taking a deep breath. "I didn't expect her to be so difficult."

Clara patted her hand. "I know how long you've loved Andrew. But his temper..." She sighed. "If not for his sudden marriage application, we wouldn't even have known."

Luna's eyes reddened. For Andrew, she had even tried to join the cultural troupe—only to fail the physical exam. All these years, who in the Smith family hadn't known of her feelings?

"That girl isn't simple," Clara murmured, narrowing her eyes. "She didn't even flinch meeting her future mother-in-law."

The clinic door opened and closed repeatedly until finally, the shift ended.

Luna pushed the door open. "Auntie, please come in."

She had considered calling Andrew but stopped herself. He was on an important mission. Was she really so helpless at her age?

The situation was obvious—her future mother-in-law had brought the "intended bride" to intimidate her. What intrigued her more was Clara's demeanor. Andrew's family background was clearly more complicated than he'd let on.

A smirk curled Luna's lips. Instructor Andrew, you've hidden yourself well.

Today, she would uncover the truth about this man.