Chapter 129 Is It True?
Everyone was stunned and looked at Zoey in disbelief.
Those socialites who already disliked Zoey wanted to mock her, but they had to maintain their dignity and grace.
So they chose a more subtle way to ridicule her.
"Is she really Commander Gonzaga's daughter-in-law? How come we've never heard of this before?"
"Are you mistaken? Or did you recognize the wrong person?"
Zoey said, "Of course I didn't get the wrong person. If you don't believe me, ask Matilda."
Matilda looked at everyone and gave them a slight nod.
This news spread like a bomb - from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred. Soon, many people gathered around Matilda.
"She's really Wentworth's wife? How come we've never heard about this? And there was no wedding?"
"Maybe just a girlfriend? Still in the dating stage?"
"But the Gonzaga family is very picky about choosing daughters-in-law. If she hadn't gotten their approval, she shouldn't be here today."
Zoey pulled Matilda over and said, "She is Wentworth's wife. They've been legally married for over a year, just haven't had time for a wedding ceremony yet. But a wedding ceremony doesn't really matter, does it? As long as they're legally married."
Matilda smiled and nodded at the people gathered in front of her. "That's right, I'm Wentworth's wife. My name is Matilda Spencer."
She could feel Amelia's murderous glare from not far away.
Amelia had been careless after all. She had overlooked Zoey's feelings for Matilda.
Actually, she should have known on New Year's Eve. But at the time, she thought Zoey and Jessica's fight was just two young girls being jealous of each other, and Matilda's presence was just an excuse for them to argue. Rich young ladies were all arrogant and quick to fight - she had seen it all before.
That big mouth Zoey!
In the crowd, the two ladies who had played mahjong with Matilda before also spoke up.
"She is Wentworth's wife. You didn't know? So only we've met her, and none of you have?" one of the ladies asked.
"Yes, she's pretty good at mahjong," the other lady added.
People were still doubtful at first, but once the two ladies spoke up, everyone believed it.
So Matilda really was the Gonzaga family's daughter-in-law!
Someone asked, "Ms. Spencer, where are you from? How come we've never seen you before? How did you meet Commander Gonzaga?"
"I..."
Before Matilda could answer, Amelia walked over and reluctantly replied to everyone.
"She's from Phoenix City and works as a doctor."
When people noticed that Amelia only mentioned Matilda's profession and not her family background, they guessed that Matilda probably didn't come from a prominent family.
Most people were tactful and chose to stay quiet.
However, there was a Mrs. Cave in the crowd. This Mrs. Cave appeared to be on good terms with Amelia, but in reality, they had been competing for decades - from being school beauties, to what kind of husbands they married, then comparing husbands and wealth.
Mrs. Cave could never beat Amelia, so she started comparing children and daughters-in-law.
Actually, both Charles and Wentworth were excellent, they just didn't have wives yet, unlike Mrs. Cave's son, who already had three children.
Mrs. Cave wasn't about to miss this chance to compare, so she asked Matilda, "Ms. Spencer, what business is your family in?"
Matilda didn't answer. She wanted to leave this question to Amelia.
Didn't Amelia want her to recognize her place? Well, she recognized it very clearly.
Amelia looked embarrassed.
After competing with Mrs. Cave for decades, she had beaten her in everything except daughters-in-law. Mrs. Cave's daughter-in-law supposedly graduated from Columbia University and could manage the family business while raising three children.
What did Matilda have? She was just an ordinary doctor who couldn't make it to the big stage.
Amelia was about to make up a more impressive background for Matilda when there was a commotion outside. Brianna arrived with a group of people, shouting, "In-laws, we've brought gifts for you!"
When Amelia saw this scene, her face turned white.
The scene she least wanted to see had happened!
She looked at Matilda with a gaze as sharp as a knife.
Matilda smiled faintly.
She had never been ashamed of her background. If Amelia wanted her to recognize reality, fine, but the person most unwilling to face reality was Amelia herself!
Amelia gripped her nails so hard they almost dug into her flesh. She took several deep breaths to keep herself from fainting.
She had almost fainted - if Charles hadn't come over in time to support her.
Charles glanced at Matilda, but his gaze was calm, even with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Growing up, he had never seen anyone push Amelia to this point.
Amelia ordered the estate's security, "Get those people outside out of here!"
Everyone expressed their surprise.
Were those really in-laws just now?
Why would Amelia drive them away?
Everyone looked at Matilda again. Mrs. Cave asked first, "Ms. Spencer, were those people who just came your family?"
Matilda glanced at Amelia.
Amelia was warning her with angry eyes - if she dared to admit it, there would be consequences!
Matilda smiled at everyone, then said slowly, "I've lived alone since I was young. I don't have family."
"So you're an orphan?" Mrs. Cave asked again.
"Pretty much," Matilda said.
She was telling the truth.
Amelia used Brianna to humiliate her, so she would use Brianna to strike back. She had no need to protect Brianna. Brianna had never loved her, so why should she protect her?
Like today, if it were a mother who loved her daughter and knew her daughter had married into a wealthy family, she should be nervous and consider things from her daughter's perspective, not be so eager to climb the social ladder.
The party ended soon after.
Guests left one by one.
Mr. Turner also pulled Zoey to leave.
Zoey didn't want to, "I still want to stay here for a while."
Mr. Turner was so angry he wanted to tie up his daughter. "Listen to me - if you still want to marry into the Gonzaga family, you must leave with me now. Otherwise, you can forget about getting close to Charles ever again."
"Why?"
"Don't you know you've caused big trouble?"
"Huh?"
"I'll explain it to you slowly when we get back."
Zoey had no choice but to go upstairs to pack her things and leave with Mr. Turner.