Chapter 133

Michael Stone held Emily Johnson's hand as they went to greet his aunts.

Aunt Elizabeth, the eldest, gave Emily a sidelong glance, her lips pursed. "Well, I thought little Michael had forgotten all about me. Took you long enough to show up."

Her tone dripped with accusation, implying they lacked manners.

Michael remained unruffled. "We're guests today too. I assumed you'd grown too important to bother with poor relatives like us."

With that, he tossed the blame right back at her.

Emily suppressed a smile. "Aunt Elizabeth, I saw you a few years ago, but I barely recognized you just now. If Michael hadn’t introduced us, I wouldn’t have dared to approach. You’ve got a few more wrinkles—must be all that family stress."

She paused meaningfully. "But as they say, children have their own blessings. Look at my in-laws—they let us live independently early on, and now they don’t have to worry about a thing."

Aunt Elizabeth’s face turned ashen, her lips trembling with rage.

Aunt Patricia, the second aunt, gaped.

This niece-in-law seemed sweet and gentle, but her words were sharp as knives.

A flicker of amusement crossed Michael’s eyes.

When he’d first married, Aunt Elizabeth had spread plenty of gossip—how city girls were too delicate for hard work, how they’d never bear sons.

Now, not only had his wife given him two healthy boys, but she’d also left Aunt Elizabeth speechless.

"How dare you speak to your elders like that?" Aunt Elizabeth finally choked out.

Emily blinked innocently. "Oh dear, my memory must be failing me. The truth can be so harsh sometimes. Don’t take it to heart, Aunt Elizabeth. It must be all that hard work—those crow’s feet are getting deeper by the day."

"You—you—!" Aunt Elizabeth pointed a shaking finger at her.

"Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Patricia, Aunt Margaret," Michael smoothly interjected, "there are many guests today. We should go greet the others. Apologies if we’ve been less than attentive."

With that, he quickly steered Emily away.

Once they were out of earshot, Michael squeezed her hand. "Well done, sweetheart. Keep standing up for yourself—don’t let anyone push you around."

Emily arched a brow. "You don’t mind me talking back to your elders?"

"Mind?" Michael chuckled. "When I was a kid and my cousins bullied me, Aunt Elizabeth always said it was just boys being boys. But once I grew up and started hitting back, she suddenly had nothing to say."

Emily burst out laughing.

So her husband had a long memory for grudges.