However, despite their shock, there was nothing they could do.
In the end, they could only watch as the two elders ignored them and left with Deanna.
The Jones couple had never been so humiliated, their faces turning an ashen gray with anger.
Raphael's family also remained silent for a long time.
Deanna was unaware of all this. After being pulled away by Old Hughes and Old Wright, she was taken to the study instead of leaving immediately, forced to discuss medical techniques.
Seeing the two elders so enthusiastic, she felt her head swell.
"Old Hughes, Old Wright, I actually don't know much," she said modestly, hoping they would let her go.
But Old Hughes just chuckled. "It's okay, we'll teach you what you don't know. We're just discussing."
Despite his words, Old Hughes cunningly extracted two more medicinal cuisine recipes from Deanna.
Looking at Old Hughes holding the precious recipes like treasures, Deanna felt helpless and regretful.
At this moment, Old Wright changed the subject, recalling the earlier commotion in the banquet hall. "Anna, I heard you have two children. Are you married?"
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Old Hughes, who had been admiring the recipes, immediately became alert.
"Old Wright, what are you trying to do? I'm telling you, don't get any ideas about Anna!"
Hearing Old Hughes' protective words, Deanna felt warmth in her heart.
She turned to look at Old Wright and did not hide her situation. "I'm not married, but I do have two children. Although I had them out of wedlock, I don't regret it at all. My children are my pride!"
By the end of her words, her eyes were firm, and she radiated maternal glory.
Old Wright didn't look down on this girl. After all, everyone has their own life and choices. But thinking about the Jones family who claimed to be Deanna's relatives earlier, he couldn't help but feel a bit heartbroken.
Clearly, Deanna didn't have a good relationship with her family.
"Being a single mother must be very tough."
"It was indeed tough at first, but now I feel I've come through it. The kids are very understanding and considerate of me," Deanna replied with a smile, not feeling that her current life was hard.
Old Wright nodded.
The three of them chatted for a while longer before Deanna again expressed her desire to leave.
This time, the two elders were satisfied and let her go without further insistence.
After going downstairs, Deanna went to find Lance to say goodbye.
After all, she had been under his care tonight and leaving without a word would be impolite.
Unexpectedly, when Lance learned of her intention, he offered, "I'll take you home."
"There's no need. I can call a car," Deanna declined politely, wanting to keep some distance after Mrs. Mercer's words tonight.
But Lance insisted. "At this hour, it's hard to get a car around here. Besides, it's not safe for a girl dressed like this to take a cab home. You wouldn't want Chloe and Gregory to worry, would you?"
With his words, Deanna couldn't refuse and agreed reluctantly.
On the way back, Lance found Deanna's silence unsettling.
He initiated conversation. "Earlier, I saw you chatting quite happily with Old Wright and Old Hughes. What were you talking about?"
Deanna saw no reason to hide and answered directly. "We were discussing medical techniques."
As she spoke, she recalled how Old Hughes had tricked her into giving up two more medicinal cuisine recipes and couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing her smile, Lance asked curiously, "What's so funny?"
"I'm laughing at how Old Hughes is becoming more of an old rascal as he ages," Deanna said without hiding anything and explained how Old Hughes had tricked her.
Lance couldn't help but chuckle too. "That old man is really regressing as he gets older. He wasn't like this before."
"Really? What was Old Hughes like before?" Deanna asked curiously, her dark eyes shining brightly like Chloe's.
Seeing this lively and playful woman, Lance's eyes flickered as he began to recount interesting stories about Old Hughes from the past.
On the road, the black car moved slowly while light-hearted laughter occasionally filled the car.
Later that evening, they arrived at the entrance of Deanna's apartment complex.
Deanna got out of the car in a good mood.
Originally thinking it would be polite to invite Lance up for a bit since he had driven her home, she didn't expect him to agree so readily after checking the time and finding it was just past nine o'clock. The kids might still be awake.
"Sure, I'll come up," he said.
"No trouble at all," Deanna replied, feeling like she had shot herself in the foot but still led Lance upstairs.
As soon as they entered the apartment, they saw Chloe and Gregory in cute milk-patterned pajamas on the sofa. They were dozing off but trying hard to stay awake.
"So sleepy already? Why not sleep in your room?" Deanna asked tenderly upon seeing them.
Chloe heard her voice and looked up groggily to see Lance there too. She immediately reached out her arms and said in a soft and adorable voice, "Uncle, hug."
That sweet voice melted Lance's heart instantly. He walked over gently and picked her up tenderly.
The little girl nestled on his shoulder without moving.