Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

Mrs. Alwin Ruiz was rather taken aback by Rachel Bailey's retort; she had assumed Rachel Bailey, knowing she was Hansen Ruiz's mother, would be respectful and even fawning towards her. She thought that even if Rachel didn't love Hansen, her own distinguished status would at least inspire fear. It never crossed her mind that Rachel would be unafraid and even dare to talk back.

"Heh, quite a sharp tongue," Mrs. Ruiz fumed inwardly. Accustomed to obedience at home, being contradicted by Rachel only made her dislike the girl more, as she felt Rachel was disrespectful. Outwardly, she maintained a gentle smile, as if to display great magnanimity.

"Rachel, please take a seat," Mrs. Ruiz said, continuing to apply her nail polish.

"Thank you." Rachel sat down gracefully opposite her.

After inviting Rachel to sit, Mrs. Ruiz stopped speaking to her and didn't even instruct Floyd Thomas to pour her a glass of water—completely ignoring her presence.

Rachel sneered inwardly. Mrs. Ruiz clearly intends to intimidate me, but unfortunately, she's picked the wrong person.

"May I ask why you've invited me here, Mrs. Ruiz? Surely not just to admire your nail art?" Rachel asked with a raised smile, her bright eyes defiantly scrutinizing Mrs. Ruiz.

Internally, she snickered. No wonder Hansen is always so cheerful—it must be an inheritance from his mother, a true wolf in sheep's clothing.

Mrs. Ruiz's movements stiffened. Her eyes, now inscrutable, swept towards Rachel. This young woman certainly has some nerve, she thought.

Most people, seeing her thus occupied, wouldn't have disturbed her, but Rachel dared. Even though Rachel's boldness was rude, Mrs. Ruiz had been the first to be impolite, so she couldn't blame Rachel for responding in kind.

Mrs. Ruiz's inscrutable gaze faltered. In a startlingly short period, she changed the color of her nail polish. Watching her swift actions, Rachel felt certain once again that Hansen's personality was undoubtedly inherited from his shrewd mother, who presented a lazy demeanor to the world but acted decisively when it mattered.

"Floyd, fetch Miss Bailey a glass of water," Mrs. Ruiz ordered gently.

"Yes, Mrs. Ruiz."

Floyd promptly brought a glass of water for Rachel.

As he set the water before her, he also said kindly, "Miss Bailey, please have some water."

"Thank you."

Rachel expressed her thanks but didn't drink.

"What's the matter, afraid I've poisoned the water?" Mrs. Ruiz teased, her sharp gaze drilling into Rachel, the disdain in her eyes undiminished.

Even though Rachel had piqued her interest somewhat, Mrs. Ruiz still looked down upon her background profoundly.

"I'm not thirsty, so I don't wish to drink," Rachel stated candidly.

This young woman certainly *is* straightforward, frank, and sincere, Mrs. Ruiz mused.

Mrs. Ruiz studied Rachel directly, once again scrutinizing her from head to toe. She still *has* the same unremarkable features, stature, and air as when I first saw her, Mrs. Ruiz thought. No matter how I look at her, she *doesn't* match my son. After her appraisal, she spoke coolly, "I am Hansen's mother."

"I know."

Floyd had already informed her.

Mrs. Ruiz had not introduced herself immediately upon Rachel's arrival, choosing instead to try to intimidate her first. Only now that she hadn't gained the upper hand had she finally introduced herself. Rachel shivered inwardly at Mrs. Ruiz's snobbery. She was thankful she wasn't actually in love with Hansen, nor had she accepted his pursuit. Otherwise, if they did end up together, having a mother-in-law as pretentious as Mrs. Ruiz would make her married life even worse than her friend Julia Bluen's. At least Julia came from a prestigious family, and with Glades Horne, a commanding man who adored his wife to the heavens, Julia's happiness was assured. Her own case would be different; if she dared to marry into the Ruiz Family, she'd be tormented endlessly, just like in a TV drama about life in a grand household. Exhausting! She had no desire for such a life! Thinking this, Rachel grew even more determined to go her separate way from Hansen.

"Hansen treats you quite specially."

"Does he? I don't see anything special. Mr. Hansen and I have merely met a few times; we're hardly more than nodding acquaintances and don't have a deep relationship," Rachel replied with an easy smile, subtly pushing Hansen out of her world.

"Miss Bailey, do you know my son Hansen's status?" Mrs. Ruiz asked. Realizing Rachel wasn't acknowledging Hansen's special treatment, and understanding that Rachel wasn't clinging to her son—it was the other way around—her tone grew even softer.

"No matter what Mr. Hansen's status is, it has nothing to do with me. Please just tell me your real reason for inviting me here," Rachel responded, still smiling lightly.

Mrs. Ruiz, as if not hearing her remarks, continued in a gentle voice, "Our Ruiz Family is a prominent lineage in A City, leading in power, influence, and wealth, just like the Horne Family in T City. Hansen is the eldest son of our family, the heir to the Ruiz estate. His wife must come from nobility, possess great beauty and elegance, and be dignified and proper."

Mrs. Ruiz stopped there, thinking her point was surely clear to Rachel.

Rachel's smile stiffened slightly. She knew she and Hansen weren't from the same world. Even setting aside his real identity, just being the Assistant to the CEO of Valence Group was enough to leave her neck aching from looking up to him. And now, hearing that Hansen's true status is that of the scion of a noble family, just as impressive as Glades Horne, her heart turns even colder.

Hansen's concealment of his status was simply to toy with me. If I had succumbed to his seduction, I would have been the one at a loss. It dawned on me—it was abnormal. With my looks, how could Hansen possibly be attracted to me? That detestable man was just playing with beautiful women until he got bored and decided to change his taste.

Rachel inwardly breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn't been charmed by Hansen. It was a pity, though, that her first kiss, which she had preserved for twenty-six years, had been stolen by that despicable man.