Chapter 137 Chapter 137
Sheila noticed the change in Mrs. Wolf's face and felt a perverse pleasure. As long as Nicholas's mother hated Caroline, the life of that “intruder” in the Wolf mansion would be hell.
Pretending to be in deep and sad reflection, Sheila continued:
"I've thought about it a lot and I can only see one possibility: Carol's family must not have good financial conditions or status. She knew that Mrs. Wolf, with her high standards, would never agree. So she convinced Nick to keep everything a secret and make the marriage official before you could intervene.
“So your objections would be useless now that it's done,” concluded Mrs. Wolf, her voice icy. “Are you saying she forced my son's hand?”
Sheila pursed her lips, as if defending Nicholas.
“I know Nick, Auntie. He's not the type to disrespect his family. This would never have been his idea. He's completely under her spell now, indulging her every whim... so I suppose it was her idea to keep you in the dark.”
Mrs. Wolf clenched her fist on the sofa fabric, her knuckles turning white.
“Does Nick value her that much? To the point of forgetting who raised him?”
“Auntie, if you had been there at that dinner, you would understand.” Sheila sighed, playing her final card. “Did you know Nick fought with Marcus over her?”
Mrs. Wolf's eyes widened. “With Marcus? His best friend?”
“Yes. They've been soul brothers for years, but Nick almost got violent over her. He's become unrecognizable, Auntie. He's so protective that he won't let anyone say a word about her.”
Sheila lowered her voice to a conspiratorial, pained whisper.
“It's the first time I've seen Nick care so much about someone. To be honest... it's scary. I'm afraid that soon Carol will mean more to him than his own mother.”
Sheila was smart. She knew exactly where to strike. Mrs. Wolf's greatest fear was losing control and the love of her only son.
As expected, Mrs. Wolf's fury reached its peak.
“Auntie, did I say something wrong?” Sheila grabbed the woman's arm, feigning panic. “Please don't be like this!”
It's just my speculation. I know how much you suffered to have Nick... Hundreds of injections, months in bed... He's a devoted son. Surely, deep down, you're still the most important person in his life.
Mrs. Wolf remained silent, but her eyes glared at Caroline across the room.
Having achieved her goal, Sheila retreated inwardly, satisfied.
She looked back at the scene: the matriarch of the Wolf family was handing Caroline a velvet box. You didn't need x-ray vision to know it was priceless jewelry.
A flash of pure hatred flashed in Sheila's eyes, but she kept her voice sweet.
“Auntie... no matter how angry you are right now, you can't show it. Look how happy Grandma is. If you do anything, she'll be furious.”
Mrs. Wolf knew that. She was holding back only because of her mother-in-law. If it weren't for the Matriarch's presence, she would have already kicked that shameless opportunist out of her house.
But Sheila was right. Nicholas wasn't disrespectful by nature. He wouldn't hide a marriage of his own free will.
That girl... Caroline... was a manipulator.
At that moment, the seed of hatred was successfully planted. Mrs. Wolf wasn't just dissatisfied with her new daughter-in-law.
She hated her. And she would do anything to get rid of her.
“Sheila, calm down.” Mrs. Wolf took a deep breath, holding the young woman's trembling hand to comfort her, but her eyes conveyed a cold determination. “Listen carefully: I want you as my daughter-in-law. No one else. Only you have the pedigree and class to stand by my Nick.”
“But, Auntie...” Sheila made a deeply hurt expression, lowering her eyelashes. “Nick is already married. It's over.”
“So what?” Mrs. Wolf cut her off, her tone cold and practical. “Marriage isn't a life sentence. Divorces exist to correct mistakes.”
If that girl thinks a piece of paper guarantees her future in this family, she is sorely mistaken.
Mrs. Wolf shot Caroline a contemptuous look.
“The Wolf family doesn't open its doors to just anyone.”
Sheila's eyes sparkled with a new, mischievous hope, but she remained silent, letting the seed of discord germinate.
...
Across the room, the atmosphere was completely different.
Caroline looked at the velvet box the matriarch was holding out to her. She hesitated, turning to Nicholas for confirmation.
Nicholas nodded encouragingly. “It's Grandma's welcome gift. You can accept it.”
When my mother joined the family, she received one too. It's a tradition.“
Only then did Caroline reach out her hands, receiving the object reverently. ”Thank you, Grandma."
She had no idea what was inside, and etiquette prevented her from opening it right there. But coming from the matriarch of the Wolf family, it must be something priceless.
The Old Lady was beaming. She had longed for a daughter-in-law for years, and now that she finally had one—and such a lovely one at that—her mood was sky-high. She held Caroline's hand and continued the conversation with enthusiasm.
Caroline expected an interrogation about her family, her humble origins, or her finances. She was prepared for judgment.
But to her surprise, the grandmother didn't mention a word about it.
She only asked about Caroline: her age, her education, her tastes. It was a genuine interest in the individual, not the status.
“You know, dear... Nick has always been a good boy, never given us any trouble,” the grandmother confided with a nostalgic smile.
“But he's stubborn. He's been making his own decisions since he was ten years old. In families like ours, arranged marriages are common. His mother tried to introduce him to dozens of heiresses, but he wouldn't even look at them.”
The matriarch sighed with relief.