"Mom, is something wrong with me?" Evie looked down at herself, found nothing unusual, then glanced at her mother-in-law.
"No, you're perfect!" Eleanor said.
"Oh, Mom, why are you staring at me like that?" Evie felt her cheeks flush.
"It's nothing. I just think Gray's been much livelier since he met you! That makes me happy!" Eleanor smiled.
"Has he really changed?" Evie chuckled.
She didn't notice any difference in Gray. To her, he'd always been the same.
"Because he's with you, he's relaxed and cheerful. You just don't see it. Before, Gray was always so serious. At the company, plenty of people were terrified of him." Eleanor said warmly.
"Really? Is that true?" Evie asked excitedly, as if she'd stumbled onto a secret. "When I worked there, I heard everyone was scared of him. I never got why. Just because he's the boss?"
"Being the boss is one thing. The other is that he walked around with a face like thunder all day, like everyone owed him a billion dollars. Of course people were scared!"
"Really?" Evie murmured. "I never noticed."
She remembered her first day as an intern. She'd met Gray at the elevator entrance. He looked expressionless, sure, but not frightening.
So during her internship, she never understood the fear.
You just do your job. Most of the time, you don't even work directly with him. Why be scared?
Now, hearing her mother-in-law, she realized Gray had always been that fierce at work.
"He's much better now. More cheerful. People follow the sunshine. That's all your doing!"
"Maybe it's because I'm childish. He's gotten younger being with me!" Evie said, unable to stop smiling.
"Younger indeed!" Eleanor laughed. "I'm so happy with your personality! You have no idea how annoying he used to be!"
Seeing her mother-in-law's disgusted expression, Evie couldn't help laughing.
So Gray was really that unpleasant with his own mother!
"Evie, enjoy your time with Gray. You two will be very happy!" Eleanor looked at her with satisfaction.
"Mom, I think I'm happy with him now!" Evie felt a little shy but answered proudly.
"That's wonderful!" Eleanor nodded.
"Mom, can I ask you something?" Evie hesitated.
"What is it? Just say it. Don't be shy with me!" Eleanor said.
"Why did you oppose Gray and Grace being together?" Evie asked curiously.
"Do you know that woman?" Eleanor asked calmly.
Her tone was neutral, but her eyes flickered with displeasure.
"Yes, I met her at a party with Gray's friends. We had dinner together." Evie answered.
"What did she tell you?" Eleanor continued.
"Nothing. I just happened to find out she and Gray used to be together." Evie lowered her voice, already regretting the question.
Her mother-in-law seemed unhappy she'd asked.
"If you want to know, I won't hide it. I didn't like that girl the moment I saw her. Naturally, I didn't want her as my daughter-in-law. Besides, our families were mismatched. Even if things look good at first, marriage brings a lot of problems. She wasn't right for Gray!" Eleanor replied calmly.
"But they loved each other back then!" Evie blurted out.
"You think I broke them up, don't you?" Eleanor looked at her.
"Maybe not entirely, but partly. Mom, I don't mean anything by it. I just feel sorry for people who love each other being forced apart."
"I gave that woman a choice. She gave up herself!" Eleanor said after sipping her tea.
"Why would she give up?" Evie asked, stunned.
"Ask her yourself.
Back then, not long after Gray's eldest brother's accident, Gray came back with her. On one hand, I wasn't in the mood to see her. My attitude wasn't great. On the other hand, I didn't like her looks or personality. So I said a few harsh words. She couldn't take it. She accused me of being too controlling, of not knowing how to respect people. She said love shouldn't be tainted by money. Then she stormed off.
In the end, they were both young and arrogant, but without the strength to back it up." Eleanor sighed.
"Oh, but Grace was still young back then. Young people get impulsive!" Evie said.
"She was about your age, maybe a year or two older. I haven't seen you act as impulsive as her!"
"Mom, I'm always slow. My mom used to scold me for being like a turtle. I can't get impulsive!" Evie smiled.
"That's good. You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry!" Eleanor said.
"Mom, to be honest, I really admire Grace's character. She has backbone. Just a little too tough!" Evie muttered.
"It's not just being impulsive. It's about reading the situation and waiting for the right moment.
That girl isn't bad. She's clearly excellent and beautiful. She'd probably impress other parents easily.
It's a pity that I value character more than looks or talent.
I felt like our fates just didn't match. I wanted to like her, but I just couldn't!"
"Mom, it sounds like you were satisfied with me because I'm so ordinary!" Evie muttered.
Eleanor was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Evie felt embarrassed.
"Feeling looked down on? Not convinced?" Eleanor laughed for a while before asking.
"Not unconvinced. I just don't think I'm that stupid!" Evie made an excuse.
"Of course you're not stupid. You're someone with great wisdom and fortune!" Eleanor smiled.
Evie felt even more embarrassed.
"Evie, don't think I'm comparing you.
Honestly, if I really compared you to that woman, you'd fall short in looks and ability.
But we're not in a beauty contest. We're not competing for work performance. We don't compare those things!" Eleanor replied calmly.