By now, Clara Grant had gradually composed herself. Before, she had mistakenly believed Seth Quinn was still in love with Autumn Shelby, which always made her feel like a third wheel.

But now she knew that in Seth Quinn’s heart, his history with Autumn Shelby was all in the past, and there was no possibility of them getting back together.

’In that case, since Autumn Shelby and Seth Quinn had already separated when I got together with him, I’m not a home-wrecker or some wicked woman who took advantage of the situation to steal a husband. So why should I let Autumn Shelby look down on me?’

’Besides, logically speaking, I’m Seth Quinn’s rightful wife now. It was one thing for Autumn Shelby to badmouth me and openly confess her feelings to my husband, but now she has the audacity to put on airs and look down on me?!’

’And to think I actually felt a little sorry for her when I heard her say she’d left Seth Quinn because of pre-wedding jitters.’

She hated people who looked down on others the most, so she didn’t pull any punches when she spoke.

Autumn Shelby seethed with anger. "Clara Grant, you were eavesdropping, and that’s that. Stop making excuses! And what’s this about Seth Quinn being *your* man? Do you have any idea who I am? I was his fiancée for over twenty years! We were publicly engaged and on the verge of getting married!"

When Clara heard her say she’d been with Seth Quinn for over twenty years, she knew she couldn’t compare. Although she understood this was an unchangeable fact, the thought of Autumn Shelby spending two decades by Seth’s side still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She lowered her gaze to the tips of her toes and muttered, "Even so, you’re just an ex now."

"You!" Autumn Shelby’s face paled with anger, hearing Clara flaunt her status as the current partner while she was a thing of the past. "Clara Grant, who gave you the right to be so insolent?"

"I did."

The firm, protective voice belonged to Seth Quinn, cutting in the moment Autumn finished speaking. He then smoothly pulled Clara Grant behind him, shielding her.

Clara Grant had been about to fire back at Autumn Shelby, but she froze when she heard Seth Quinn’s "I did" and felt him pull her behind him. She looked up at him.

Gazing at his tall, broad back, her heart suddenly began to pound erratically. ’So this is what it feels like to be protected,’ she thought. ’It’s wonderful.’

With Clara shielded behind him, Seth Quinn turned back to Autumn Shelby, his expression and tone growing much colder. "Miss Shelby, my woman can be as insolent as she likes on my territory. That’s not an overstep. You, on the other hand, calling my woman insolent to my face, in my home? Now *that’s* what I call truly insolent, wouldn’t you agree?"

"Furthermore, I’ve already made everything clear to you. I hope you’ll conduct yourself accordingly." After saying this, Seth Quinn averted his gaze and added coldly, "Miss Shelby, see yourself out."

Hearing him address her repeatedly as the distant "Miss Shelby," Autumn Shelby’s hands tightened their grip on her handbag, and her eyes instantly welled with tears.

After a moment, she stared at Seth Quinn. "Seth, you remember this. I won’t give up. As long as you’re not married, I still have a chance!"

With that, she bit her lip, shot a venomous glare at Clara Grant behind him, and let out a cold snort before turning and stalking away in her high heels.

Seth Quinn didn’t even glance at her retreating back. He turned directly to Clara Grant, gave her a deep, meaningful look, and said, "Let’s go inside."

Flustered by his gaze, Clara Grant gave a quick, haphazard nod and turned to go inside.

A handsome smile touched the corners of Seth Quinn’s lips. He followed her inside, closing the main door behind them.