The promised night had finally arrived.
Keira Namira stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the light-blue dress she was wearing.
Her makeup was very subtle, doing little more than accentuating her natural beauty. She didn't like standing out, especially when attending a large gathering of the Blanco family.
Her hands were trembling slightly.
Christ Manuel Blanco, who had just finished putting on his black suit, approached her from behind.
"You look beautiful."
Keira gave him a small smile.
"I'm the one who's nervous."
Christ turned his wife around until they were facing each other.
"Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?"
Keira nodded slowly.
"I'm afraid I'll embarrass you."
Christ gently caressed her cheek.
"Keira."
"Hmm?"
"As long as you're by my side, I never feel embarrassed."
"I'm proud of you."
His words brought Keira's smile back in full.
Christ then kissed his wife's forehead.
"Come on. We'll face it together."
Their car entered the grounds of the Blanco family's main house, which was filled with luxury vehicles that night.
The grand, classically styled house looked magnificent beneath its brightly glowing lights.
Almost the entire extended family had already gathered in the living room.
As soon as Keira and Christ entered, several pairs of eyes turned toward them.
Some people smiled warmly.
Others merely gave them a brief glance.
"Christ is here!"
"Uncle!"
The atmosphere seemed warm.
But that warmth didn't extend to Keira.
Several aunts began whispering again.
"That's the daughter-in-law from yesterday."
"Yeah."
"Poor Christ."
Though they kept their voices low, Keira could still hear them.
Christ tightened his grip on his wife's hand.
"Ignore them."
Keira nodded slowly.
Not long afterward, Mrs. Anggun came down from the second floor in an elegant black dress.
Her smile looked incredibly warm in front of the guests.
"Welcome, everyone."
Her gaze then stopped on Keira.
"You two finally made it."
"Yes, Mom," Christ replied briefly.
Mrs. Anggun nodded.
"Don't be late next time."
Even though they had arrived right on time.
Keira chose to remain silent.
She knew that answering back would only make things worse.
A few minutes later...
A woman entered the house carrying a gift box.
"Good evening."
Vanessa Aurelia.
She wore a simple yet elegant white dress.
The moment she saw Christ, she smiled.
"Hi."
"Hi."
Vanessa then shook Keira's hand.
"Hi, Sis."
"Hi."
Keira returned her smile sincerely.
Mrs. Anggun, seeing this, was instead irritated.
She had hoped Vanessa and Keira would be enemies.
Yet the two of them were treating each other kindly.
Dinner began.
The long dining table was covered with all kinds of luxurious dishes.
Every family member began taking their assigned seat.
But just as Keira was about to sit beside Christ...
Mrs. Anggun suddenly said,
"Vanessa."
"Yes, Auntie?"
"Sit beside Christ."
The room suddenly fell silent.
Vanessa looked confused.
"But..."
"Go on."
Keira immediately understood what her mother-in-law intended.
She gave a faint smile.
"It's okay. I'll sit here."
Keira moved to another chair.
But before she could sit down...
Christ stood up first.
"Vanessa."
"Yes?"
"Please sit in Keira's spot."
"Huh?"
"I want my wife to keep sitting beside me."
Everyone immediately exchanged glances.
Vanessa smiled awkwardly.
"Of course."
She quickly moved over.
Mrs. Anggun clenched her fists beneath the table.
Her plan had failed again.
In the middle of dinner, one of the uncles started a conversation.
"Christ."
"Yes, Uncle?"
"When are you going to give us a grandchild?"
Several people immediately chuckled.
Keira blushed shyly.
Christ smiled too.
"Just pray for us."
Before the atmosphere could grow warmer...
Mrs. Anggun cut in.
"Don't rush."
Everyone turned to look at her.
"Being a mother isn't easy."
Her gaze shifted toward Keira.
"Especially if you don't even know how to take care of a house."
Her words slowly erased Keira's smile.
One of the aunts chimed in.
"That's true."
"Marriage takes more than love."
Christ set down his spoon.
"I think Keira's been doing everything well."
Mrs. Anggun gave him a faint smile.
"According to you."
"According to the facts."
Christ answered without hesitation.
"My wife gets up first thing in the morning."
"She prepares breakfast."
"She takes care of the house."
"And she always waits for me to come home."
"Is that still not enough?"
No one answered.
Keira could only lower her head.
She hadn't expected Christ to defend her in front of the entire family.
After dinner ended, the guests gathered in the family room.
Keira helped several servants clear the table.
Vanessa came over to help her.
"Sis, let me help."
"You don't have to. You're a guest."
"It's okay."
The two of them cleared the table together.
Seeing this, one of the servants smiled.
"Mrs. Keira is so kind."
"She really is."
"She could have just ordered us around."
Mrs. Anggun accidentally overheard them.
Her irritation deepened.
As time went on, more and more people seemed to like Keira instead.
Not long afterward...
Mrs. Anggun called the entire family into the sitting room.
"There's something I want to tell you."
Everyone sat down again.
"I'm planning to hold the Blanco family's charity event next month."
Several people nodded.
"And every daughter-in-law has to help."
Mrs. Anggun's gaze slowly shifted to Keira.
"Keira."
"Yes, Mrs. Anggun?"
"You'll be the person in charge."
Keira's eyes widened.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"If you want to be considered part of this family..."
"Prove what you can do."
Christ immediately frowned.
"Mom, that's a major event."
"So what?"
"Keira's never managed an event that big before."
"Exactly."
Mrs. Anggun gave him a faint smile.
"If she fails..."
She paused for a moment.
"...then it means she really isn't worthy of carrying the Blanco name."
Her words plunged the room into silence again.
Keira knew.
This wasn't an act of trust.
It was a trap.
Christ was about to refuse.
But Keira touched his hand first.
"Let me."
Christ looked at his wife.
"Are you sure?"
Keira drew a deep breath.
Then she nodded firmly.
"I'll try."
Mrs. Anggun smiled with satisfaction.
"Good."
"The event is in two weeks."
"Don't disappoint this family."
On the drive home, the atmosphere inside the car was very quiet.
Christ glanced at Keira from time to time.
"You didn't have to accept Mom's challenge."
Keira gave him a faint smile.
"If I keep avoiding her, Mom will only think I'm weaker."
"But I'm afraid she'll trap you again."
"I'm afraid too."
Keira gazed at the road illuminated by the city lights.
"But I don't want to keep living as a woman who can do nothing but cry."
Christ took his wife's hand.
"Whatever happens..."
"...I'll always be right behind you."
Keira squeezed his hand in return.
"Thank you."
Behind her smile, a growing determination took root.
She no longer wanted merely to survive Mrs. Anggun's attacks.
She wanted to prove that she was worthy of being Christ Manuel Blanco's wife—not because of her status or wealth, but because of her sincerity and ability.
Meanwhile, at the Blanco family home, Mrs. Anggun stared at the calendar hanging in her study.
"That charity event will be the end of everything, Keira."
"If you make even one mistake..."
"...the entire family will see that you truly aren't worthy of being a Blanco daughter-in-law."
A faint smile once again formed on her face.
A new plan had been set in motion, and this time Mrs. Anggun was certain Keira wouldn't escape so easily.