Shirley pulled Ivy back into the room and locked the door behind them.

Ivy asked anxiously, "Mom, what are we going to do? That old hag wants to kick us out! Think of something! I can't leave the Zachman family!

"I was so close to becoming Wren's rightful fiancée! It's all that damn old hag's fault!"

Ivy's face twisted with resentment, and her eyes blazed with fury. She wanted to strangle anyone standing in the way of her future with Wren. She would have acted without hesitation if Martha hadn't been Wren's grandmother.

Shirley hadn't anticipated things would escalate this far. She had lived in the Zachman residence for four years without issue. She thought Martha had softened with age, perhaps afraid of upsetting Carlisle, and would finally compromise. Who would've thought she would suddenly interfere now? It was maddening!

Shirley's expression darkened. "Don't panic. We need to stay calm. I'll call Carlisle. As long as he's on our side, even that old witch can't kick us out."

Ivy remained anxious. "But will Carlisle really go against his own mother for us? You saw how he left early this morning to avoid her. I'm afraid..."

"It's pointless to talk about that now," Shirley cut in, a reproachful note in her voice. "Who else can help us except Carlisle?

"Are we really going to rely on Wren, who ran away from the wedding and still hasn't shown up?"

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Ivy snapped, clearly upset.noveldrama

Shirley tapped her lightly on the head. "Have you forgotten everything I told you? It's been this long, and you still haven't gotten him to commit. Now, he runs away from the wedding at a time like this. "Sometimes, I wonder if you're even my daughter. What good are you?"

Ivy's face darkened as she listened to Shirley's harsh words.

Could she really be blamed for this? Everything had been going smoothly with Wren right until that bitch Clara showed up! Wren wouldn't have run away from the wedding if it weren't for her.

"Alright! Enough blaming each other. Just call Carlisle," Ivy said, trying to keep calm. "If we wait any longer and actually get kicked out of the Zachman residence, it'll be a complete joke." Shirley reluctantly swallowed her frustration and dialed Carlisle's number.

The phone rang, and Carlisle's voice soon came through, "Shirley, what's going on?"

Shirley composed herself, her voice trembling slightly. "Carlisle, sorry to disturb you while you're working. just wanted to let you know that y and I are moving out. I didn't want

you to worry if you came hont

and

didn't find us."

She chose her words carefully, not immediately complaining about being kicked out by Martha. That could turn Carlisle against her. She waited for him to ask, giving her a chance to explain without damaging her image.

Carlisle's tone shifted to concern. "What happened? Why the sudden move? Is someone making things difficult for you?"

Shirley sobbed, quickly denying, "No

one is making things difficult for us,

so don't worry. It's just that, given my status, it doesn't feel right for us to keep living here. Ivy and I will move out. It's better this way, and it won't cause you any trouble."

"Who said you're a trouble?" Carlisle's voice grew tense, clearly upset. "Shirley, tell me the truth. Has someone been bullying you while I've been gone? Or are they forcing you out?"