After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 19: Claire, Is She Really Your Birth Mother?
Claire Mercer knew what Judith Caldwell was planning.
But now that she had decided on a divorce, she wasn’t going to turn back.
She stared coldly at Judith Caldwell, her tone resolute.
"I am getting this divorce. That’s final."
When facing her family, she no longer wanted to just swallow her anger.
She had truly had enough.
When Judith Caldwell saw the usually meek Claire Mercer actually daring to defy her, she flew into a rage.
’She used to hang on my every word at home, so what’s gotten into her this time?’
"You wretched girl, haven’t seen you in a few months and you’ve grown a temper, have you?"
"Matters of marriage have always been for parents to decide. If you dare to divorce, I’ll dare to break your legs." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Roxanne Peyton hadn’t originally wanted to interfere in the Mercer family’s affairs.
But seeing Judith Caldwell go too far, she couldn’t help but speak up.
"Excuse me, Ma’am, but the Qing Dynasty fell a long time ago."
"We believe in the freedom to marry these days. Claire’s marriage should be her own decision to make."
Judith Caldwell’s brows shot up as she glared at Roxanne Peyton.
"I’m disciplining my own daughter. Is it your place, you little brat, to point fingers at me?"
"And I’d really like to know what sort of trashy friends have you been making? They have no manners at all."
"I bet you learned to be so disobedient and unfilial from them."
At these words, Roxanne Peyton crossed her arms and let out a cold laugh.
"That’s right. My Peyton family has no manners. Compared to Claire, I am indeed more arrogant, domineering, and rude."
"But it depends on who I’m dealing with, because not everyone is worthy of my, Roxanne Peyton’s, respect."
’Even though she’s Claire’s mother, with that attitude toward her daughter, I really can’t bring myself to respect her.’
Judith Caldwell, however, latched onto the key part of her words.
’Peyton Family?’
In Rhonia, there was a Peyton Family whose power and status were second only to the Sinclair and Rowan Families.
’Could this girl be the young lady of the Peyton family?’
Judith Caldwell quickly tossed the idea out of her mind.
’Impossible.’
’How could Claire Mercer possibly know someone from the Peyton family?’
Given the Mercer Family’s current standing in Rhonia, they wouldn’t necessarily be able to curry favor with the Peytons even if they shamelessly tried.
If Gavin Sinclair hadn’t been disabled in that car accident, the Mercer Family, with their status, would never have had a chance to marry into the Sinclair Family in this lifetime.
’So, this girl most likely just shares the same last name.’
However, Judith Caldwell wasn’t a complete idiot. She decided to be cautious and ask.
"Peyton family... which Peyton family are you from?"
Stella Thorne replied, "How many Peyton families are there in Rhonia?"
’Could this arrogant little brat before me really be the young lady of the Peyton family?’
"Then, may I ask, is Philip Peyton your..."
Stella Thorne resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "He’s her father. Her biological father."
"You don’t need to ask anymore. She is the Peyton family’s youngest daughter."
Judith Caldwell: "..."
She stared at Roxanne Peyton in shock, not daring to say another harsh word.
She even deeply regretted her earlier comment about Roxanne having no manners.
Although she had sent an invitation to the Peyton Family for the banquet, she hadn’t expected them to grace the event with their presence.
After all, the Peyton Family’s status in Rhonia was much higher than the Mercer Family’s, and the Peytons had always been low-key.
She had assumed they wouldn’t attend this time either, but who would have thought the little princess of the Peyton family would actually show up.
’But what if this girl goes home and tattles to her parents? How am I supposed to survive in the circle of top-tier socialites that I worked so incredibly hard to get into?’
If it weren’t for her status as the Sinclair family’s young master’s mother-in-law, she wouldn’t even be able to get a foot in the door of the top elite circles.
The Peyton Family was one of the top elite families in Rhonia, completely out of the current Mercer Family’s league.
It was just that the Peytons were always low-key; even Mrs. Peyton rarely attended banquets held within their social circle.
It was no wonder she didn’t recognize the Peyton’s little princess.
She had heard before that Mr. and Mrs. Peyton doted on this youngest daughter, especially since they were nearly forty when she was born.
Now, even though she was Roxanne Peyton’s elder, she didn’t dare assume the posture of a senior to lecture her.
She even immediately switched to a fawning attitude. After all, having the Peyton family’s little princess attend their banquet was a matter of great prestige.
’What if she takes a liking to my tall, handsome, and dapper Oscar at the banquet...’
Just the thought of it made Judith Caldwell incredibly excited. She immediately stepped forward, took Roxanne Peyton’s hand, and said with a sycophantic smile,
"Oh, dear, I didn’t realize you were the Peyton’s little princess. Please don’t take what I said earlier to heart."
"It’s just that Claire suffers these grievances and never tells her family. I’m just heartbroken for her, and angry that she carries everything on her own shoulders."
Seeing Judith Caldwell’s completely different attitude from before, Roxanne Peyton was speechless.
For the sake of her being Claire’s mother, she didn’t argue any further.
Seeing that she didn’t say anything, Judith Caldwell then turned to Claire Mercer.
"And you," she began, "you have such a good friend in the young lady of the Peyton family and you never bring her home to visit. You nearly made me offend someone important just now."
Claire Mercer wanted to say, ’Since I started college, when has this family ever welcomed me home?’
’They only ever call me home when Oscar Mercer needs a blood transfusion. The rest of the time, they couldn’t care less about me.’
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take Miss Peyton inside to sit and rest for a bit. The banquet is about to start."
Claire Mercer sighed helplessly and led Roxanne Peyton and Stella Thorne through the villa’s main door.
After they entered, Roxanne Peyton, remembering Judith Caldwell’s appearance and her attitude towards Claire Mercer, couldn’t help but ask.
"Claire, forgive me for asking, but is she really your biological mother?"
Claire Mercer nodded.
’I guess so?’
’Although their attitude toward me is hard to describe, isn’t this how families that favor sons over daughters are?’
’Besides, Oscar Mercer and I have the same rare "panda blood" type, so there’s no doubt she’s my biological mother.’
Roxanne Peyton said, "But honestly, you don’t look anything like her. She has such a sour, mean-looking face."
"And I’ve never seen a biological mother treat her own daughter with that kind of attitude."
Stella Thorne asked, "Don’t you have a brother? Do they favor him over you?"
Claire Mercer nodded, then smiled and said,
"It’s fine. They are a bit harsh with me, but I’m used to it."
"Oh, come on, let’s go. I’ll take you inside to get something to eat. Don’t let this little thing spoil your mood."
And so, the three of them walked toward the villa’s banquet hall.
The banquet hall was already filled with people, almost all of whom were from the top-ranking elite families in Rhonia.
Seeing her return, some of the young ladies who were jealous of her marrying into the Sinclair Family began to taunt her with cold sarcasm.
"Well, well, isn’t this the esteemed Mrs. Sterling of the Sinclair Family? How come you came back alone? Where’s Sinclair?"
"I heard Sinclair’s old flame came back a few days ago. He’s probably with her right now. Why would he be in the mood to come back with this one?"
"Hah, if Sinclair hadn’t injured his leg in that car accident, the chance to marry him would never have fallen to her."
"Did she think marrying into the Sinclair Family really makes her Mrs. Sterling? Pfft, I heard she’s been his devoted doormat for two years, and Sinclair won’t even give her the time of day."
After speaking, the women covered their mouths to stifle their giggles, their expressions arrogant and disdainful, their faces full of unconcealed glee at her misfortune.
