"You should talk to your grandfather, Jonathan."
She stepped forward and grabbed Jonathan's arm. She absolutely couldn't leave the Fullbuster family.
If she left the Fullbuster family, she would never be able to maintain her current lifestyle. With only the Hoff family to rely on, she would completely disappear from her current social circle.
Elizabeth even looked at Jonathan with a hint of pleading in her eyes.
He lowered his gaze and looked at her with a cold expression. There was also a trace of sarcasm and self-mockery in his eyes.
She knew very well that the only reason she could live such a comfortable life and boss people around was because her son was her strongest support. Even so, she had always been stingy with him when it came to warmth or respect. She had never once tried to see things from his point of view.
Jonathan slowly pulled his arm out of Elizabeth's hand.
"I respect Grandpa's decision." He paused for a moment before he added, "Of course, even if you and Dad get divorced, I won't skip the support money."
Elizabeth's face turned pale. Her body swayed slightly. What does he mean by that?
That meant there would be nothing besides the money. There would be no other ties at all.
Penelope stood up as she spoke, "Anne, I'm tired. Can you walk me back to my bedroom?"
Derek had just asked Elizabeth to get a divorce. Anneliese being there made the situation awkward.
With Elizabeth in this state, no one knew what kind of trouble she might stir up later or whether she would turn on Anneliese.
Penelope reached out to Anneliese, who nodded and supported her as they walked toward the bedroom.
Jonathan also supported Derek and went to the study.
…
In the living room, only Elizabeth was left standing there in a daze. The only other person was Martha, who had been watching the whole thing like a spectator.
Martha hadn't expected to witness Kenneth and Elizabeth's divorce scene in person.
Elizabeth had been kicked out. Martha had come with Elizabeth today, so she was genuinely afraid the situation might drag her down, too.
She had managed to stay unnoticed only because Elizabeth had been standing out front as the target. She worried that if she didn't leave soon, Derek and Penelope would suddenly remember she was there.
She immediately took out her phone and sent a WhatsApp message.
She didn't spread the news about Elizabeth's divorce. Instead, she sent Anneliese a message first to apologize for what had happened today.
She needed to make it clear that she had been wrong for tricking Anneliese into coming out to help Elizabeth smooth things over. She hadn't expected Elizabeth to beg for reconciliation with such an awful attitude.
More importantly, Martha needed to explain clearly that she had nothing to do with accusing Ellie of being Anneliese's illegitimate daughter. She hadn't known about it beforehand, and she wasn't Elizabeth's accomplice.
She could tell that Derek and Penelope treated Anneliese very differently from the way they treated others.
Jonathan, especially, treated her like she mattered more than anything. With him making his stance clear, Anneliese's standing in the family was secure.
Even though Martha was Anneliese's elder, she didn't dare act carelessly or put on airs. Elizabeth was the perfect example of what could happen.
…
In Penelope's bedroom, Anneliese helped her sit on the bed. She was about to ask if Penelope wanted some water, but Penelope held her hand and had her sit beside her.
"Anne, I also want to apologize to you. No matter what, our family handled things terribly back then. I'm truly ashamed."

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