Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law had barely stepped inside when they heard Amelia’s biting words-both were so furious they nearly fainted on the spot.

Without a second thought, the mother-in-law seized Amelia’s arm, pressed her palms together apologetically toward the ashen-faced Mr. Kevin Everly, and hurriedly pulled Amelia out of the room.

But even after Amelia left, the shockwaves from her outburst remained.

Amelia’s comments were even harsher than Edith’s-she had flat-out accused Amara of lacking morals. While many people in Wye secretly harbored these suspicions, no one else had dared to voice them.

Now that Amelia had spoken these thoughts aloud, everyone’s attitude toward Amara instantly shifted.

All the compliments earlier had only been for Mr. Everly’s sake; in truth, everyone’s opinion mirrored Amelia’s.

Getting pregnant before marriage was one thing, but not even knowing the father’s identity? That suggested the father wasn’t someone respectable.

After all, Amara was the legitimate daughter of the Sullivan family, and strikingly beautiful-how could something like this have happened to her? Clearly, there must be something wrong with her.

The room was thick with judgmental stares. Amara, meeting those eyes, couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

She’d grown somewhat numb to this sort of scrutiny, but no one liked being the target of public gossip.

And it was clear, with Edith and Emma fanning the flames, that the attacks on her character were only getting fiercer. It was hard enough for Amara to stomach-how would her child feel someday, learning that so many people had once gossiped about their mother?

The thought soured Amara’s mood, and Emma, too, was unsettled.

Normally, Emma would have relished seeing Amara embarrassed, but tonight was Finnian and Liliana’s rehearsal dinner.

It should have been a joyous occasion, the perfect lead-in to the wedding. Instead, the evening had turned into Amara’s own public inquisition and all because Edith had started stirring things up Emma found herself blaming Edith more and more.

What was Edith thinking? Hadn’t they agreed to deal with Amara together later in the evening? Why the rush?

Emma seethed silently, but Edith

seemed completely indifferent to her

feelings. Turning to the room, Edith

said, “Mrs. Emma Everly, that woman was right-there really is Something questionable about Amara’s child. If I remember correctly, you have the evidence, don’t you? Why not show everyone?”

Amara’s child really had some secret, and Emma had proof?

At those words, all eyes immediately landed on Emma.

This was unbelievable—the rehearsal dinner truly was turning into a trial for Amara. Emma was so angry she nearly fainted from rage.

What was Edith doing? How could she be so reckless?

The dinner was still in full swing, and her own son hadn’t even danced with Liliana yet—why bring this up now? Emma bitterly regretted inviting Edith at all.

But Edith, apparently oblivious to

Emma’s distress, pressed on. “Mrs. Everly, didn’t you show me that evidence before? Why not let everyone see what kind of person Amara truly is? Otherwise, people, might think she’s being wrongfully maligned.”