Daisy was shocked by Morton's aggressive stance, and she quickly rushed to protect Ella. Ella's eyes widened in fear as Morton was about to hit her.

Ella immediately took out her cell phone and shouted at Morton, "If you touch me, I will take you to court! I mean it!"

Morton's hand paused midair.

"I have it all on video," Ella huffed. "Coward."

Morton's body was shaking with anger, but he restrained himself."

"Dad," Kim intervened, pulling him back. "Don't waste your time on her. The little bitch will get what's coming to her."

Morton dropped his hand harshly and ranted at Ella, "One day, your family will die a horrible death."

That was in her past life. In this life, no one would dare to threaten her family.

Ella pulled her mother out of the Ford Family mansion swiftly. The moment the rest of her relatives turned their enraged expressions toward her, she knew better than to stay another second.

"That Ella… When did she become so articulate?!" Lisa glared at Ella, infuriated by her arrogant demeanor.

"You shut up!" Athena finally vented the displeasure in her heart and rushed at her eldest daughter-in-law, scolding fiercely and angrily. "You need to learn your place. I've loved you for so many years, and for what?! Nothing!"

Lisa was baffled by Athena's scolding. She was the one who had always joined in scolding Ella, but now she found herself on the receiving end. She felt upset and frustrated in her heart.

In that moment, Morton's fury boiled over. He charged at Lisa, unleashing a torrent of scolding words, "You were never capable enough to achieve anything. My mom had been worried about that sapphire for ages, and you just let Ella snatch it away with a few simple words! What the hell are you even good for?"

The sudden verbal attack made Lisa's face flush with shame. She was left speechless, feeling intensely embarrassed. It had never occurred to her that her few words could put her on Ella's bad side.

That little bitch…

Lisa swore she'd get her killed some day.

Doris unexpectedly spoke up, her voice still nonchalant and weak, giving the impression of a harmless and well-behaved individual. "It would actually be quite simple to get back at Ella."

"What good advice could you possibly have!" Athena gave Doris a disdainful look.

Due to being an illegitimate child, Doris was regarded even lower than Ella in Athena's eyes. Athena never spared a kind glance for Doris.

"In reality, all the wealth and status that Ella boasts about are solely due to her father inheriting the Ford Family estate and her marriage to Lucien. If that marriage falls through, Ella would never speak like this again."

"Do I really need you to state the obvious?" Lisa fretted, feeling a lack of anger bubbling inside her. She couldn't help but release a few sighs as she listened to Doris.

Doris continued, "I mean, if Jean's sister and Lucien become a couple, there won't be anything left for Ella."

Lisa was momentarily stunned by the suggestion, and Hedy, sitting beside her, raised her eyebrows in agreement. They both had similar thoughts. Hedy should have been the leading lady of the Ford Family, and she couldn't accept that Ella had taken all the glory, even snatching the best man in America for herself.

"There's still over a month until the wedding. If we can prevent Ella and Lucien from getting married, she won't dare to be so arrogant!" Doris exclaims.

"Easy for you to say! Can't you see how much Lucien adores Ella?" Hedy couldn't help but inject sarcasm into her remark.

"It's true that making Lucien fall out of love with her in a month won't be easy, but..." Doris began to say something, but her words trailed off.

"Quit your stammering and spit it out already! Your peasant blood is showing."

"Hedy!" Morton interjected, his face turning cold.

Hedy rolled her eyes. 'Little bitch,' she thought. 'Just because your Dad's favorite…'

"I'm afraid I'll upset you if I say it," Doris admits.

"I hate hearing you talk anyway, so just say it!" Hedy yelled impatiently.

Doris glanced at her father once more, finding encouragement in his expression before cautiously saying, "Lucien might love her, but... he's still just a man. It wouldn't be hard to get him to sleep with another woman."

Everyone looked at Doris, astounded.

Doris looked somewhat helpless and quickly clarified, "It's just an idea that crossed my mind. If it's not appropriate, just forget I said it. I don't mean any harm, I just can't bear to see Ella treating you all this way, I just..."

With tears welling up in her eyes again, Doris looked on with a pitiful expression, afraid of facing any further scolding.

"Enough! All you do is cry and cry every day. Maybe it's time we teach you a lesson instead," Lisa said, unable to bear seeing Doris in this state. Doris continued to sob, trying her best not to make a sound.

"Alright, let's discuss Ella and Lucien another time. I've had enough frustration for today. I'm going to rest now. Morton, please help me to my room," Athena called out to Morton. Morton quickly agreed and assisted his mother.

In truth, it was evident that Athena must have seriously considered Doris's suggestion of trying to seduce Lucien away from Ella. Otherwise, Doris would have been scolded for speaking out, considering her position in the family.

After Athena and Morton left, Hedy couldn't help but sneer at Doris, "It's no surprise that a peasant girl like you would come up with such a filthy idea. Did your mom teach you that before she passed away? How many men have you slept with? God, there must be something wrong with you."

"Hedy, I didn't- I'm just, really just trying to look out for you," Doris' eyes welled up with tears again, feeling hurt and aggrieved.

"Bitch," Hedy spat, getting up and leaving

Kim and Lisa, who had no real concern for Doris, also left without paying her any attention, leaving Doris alone in the vast hall. With no one around, there was no need for Doris to put on a pitiful act. A cold smile crept across her lips.

She was well aware that her proposal would eventually be accepted, and she certainly wasn't as sweet as she appeared to be. She just needed to wait for Hedy to die on her own, and then she'd rise in status as Morton Ford's only daughter.

After that, she'll have her chance to surpass Ella as the Ford Family's princess!

—

Ella and her mother rode back to the Ford Family house in the family car. As they sat in the minivan, Daisy seemed to have just managed to lower her heart rate and regain her composure. She was a bit exhilarated and said, "Ella, you were so, so... amazing today. It completely blew me away."

Ella chuckled softly, "Mom, from now on, I won't let Grandma bully you ever again."

"But... but where on earth did you find the courage to speak against her? You picked her apart until she looked sick!"

"That's because she deserved it," Ella replied firmly. "Mom, you shouldn't feel obligated to show any kindness to someone like my grandmother. She doesn't deserve your respect."

All that old hag does is sink her claws into anyone who'll give her the time of day.

"Even though your grandmother goes a little overboard with her behavior towards me, she's still Jack's mom. I don't want to embarrass him."

"Don't worry. I just wanted to make sure Grandma wouldn't be a problem for you anymore. I won't actually hurt her or anything," Ella assured her mother.

But the truth was that if Athena needed to learn her lesson the hard way, Ella would gladly oblige.

If the crone doesn't want to change, Ella won't hesitate to stand up for what's right.