C18 Husband!

The word "husband" echoed through the speaker, causing Reece's brows to knit ever so slightly.

After a brief pause, he spoke with a detached tone, "Lydia, what game are you playing now?"

The call was on speakerphone, and Reece's disdain for her was evident to everyone in the hall. It was clear that his opinion of her hadn't changed.

Mildred cast a scornful look at the overly confident Lydia and said with a smirk, "Lydia, cut to the chase."

"Indeed, let Reece decide whether he believes you or us, the Woodward family," Willian chimed in, emboldened by Reece's icy demeanor.

The Woodward couple exchanged a knowing smile, eagerly anticipating the moment Lydia would be coldly cast aside by Reece, and the ensuing spectacle of her humiliation.

As the couple's voices filled the air, Reece's gaze grew more intense.

"Lydia, where are you?" he asked, his voice sharp as ice.

"Darling, I'm at the Ellis home," Lydia replied with feigned affection, alternating between 'husband' and 'dear' as she addressed him. She offered a sly smile to the Woodward family and murmured into the phone, "Reece, remember how I helped you stage that scene for Mrs. Lewis, so you could stay in my room?"

"What exactly do you want, woman? Get to the point," the man commanded, his fingers halting on the keyboard, his impatience thinly veiled by a softer tone that only the two of them could truly hear.

"It's time to reciprocate. Today, you need to play along and be the devoted husband so my parents and the Ellis family can rest easy," Lydia stated, her voice low but firm, her tone suggesting a straightforward transaction.

Reece's frown deepened, but he let out a low chuckle, "Lydia, are you giving me orders?"

"'Command' isn't quite the right word. Let's call it mutual assistance... Plus, it seems you'll need my acting skills quite a bit in the future, so it's a fair deal, wouldn't you say?" Lydia's smile was cool and confident.

Though the speakerphone was on, their quiet exchange remained indecipherable to the onlookers.

Mildred, suspecting Lydia of scheming, approached her with an icy demeanor and said, "Hey, Lydia, quit your mumbling. Listen, cut the games and get straight to the point!"

"Darling, as long as you've had dinner, I'm content," Lydia responded, deliberately ignoring Mildred and raising her voice with a flirtatious edge.

Lydia wasn't wrong. In this so-called mutual aid, Reece had indeed reaped the most benefits.

Lydia, in that moment, was as cunning as a fox. She had played her cards, yet Reece wasn't angered this time; rather, he found himself intrigued by her.

He was eager to uncover what other secrets she might be concealing.

Moreover, Reece had tasked Gideon with questioning the courtyard servants about the morning's events, gaining a clear picture of the Woodward family's aggressive stance.

Loran had previously warned him that the Woodward family had grown bold under his patronage, emboldened by the fear the Tillman family's power instilled in others.

This was the perfect chance for Reece to subtly check the Woodward family's arrogance.

He intended to teach the Woodward family a lesson in restraint.

Pulling himself back from his thoughts, Reece responded to the woman with a tender tone, "Hmm, see you tonight."

Reece's reply sent a shockwave through the onlookers, their jaws hitting the floor.

The word was that Reece treated Lydia with cold indifference, so why did their exchange now reek of romance? Could it be that all the rumors were nonsense?

Even the Woodward couple were taken aback upon hearing this.

They exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with bewilderment.

No, this couldn't be right!

Wasn't he supposed to detest her? How could he suddenly be so tender?

Lydia must have been up to something.

Mildred grabbed the phone, quickly checking the number on the screen.

Indeed, it was Reece's number.

After confirming it was the same number she had dialed, a wave of unease washed over Mildred. What was happening? How had Reece's attitude toward Lydia shifted so drastically?

"Auntie Xia, what's got you so spaced out? You've been itching to get to the heart of the matter, and now's your chance to ask Reece who he's chosen," Lydia said coolly, her gaze piercing through Mildred's startled facade as she gently prodded her.

Mildred, feeling cornered, nervously licked her lips, suddenly finding herself at a loss for words.

With Mildred silent, Lydia playfully snatched the phone and sweetly whined, "Hubby, I'm dying to know about the spat between me and Auntie Xia this morning. Do you believe I'm innocent, or do you think I was deliberately giving her a hard time?"

"Is that even a question?" Reece replied, his brow furrowed.

"Please, just say it. I want to hear it from you."

"I have complete faith in your integrity!" Reece's voice was firm, without a hint of doubt. Lydia felt a jolt in her chest upon hearing his conviction; if she hadn't known it was all an act, she might have truly believed he was on her side.

In that moment, as Reece's decisive tone filled the air, Mildred's face drained of color.

And it wasn't just Mildred—Willian, standing nearby, also looked visibly distressed.

What in the world was happening?

The couple was stunned, and the surrounding onlookers were equally taken aback, questioning if their ears were deceiving them. Meanwhile, the anxious Mr. and Mrs. Benny breathed a sigh of relief, and even Old Madam Sophia on the sofa couldn't resist straightening up a bit more.

"So, hubby... you're saying you won't take Auntie Xia's side against me, making life difficult for the Ellis family?" Lydia didn't let up, her voice tinged with feigned hurt as she pressed for an answer.

"As your husband, why would I doubt you over some outsider's words? I would never trouble the Ellis family."

Moved by his tender words, Lydia put on an act of gratitude, "Thank you, Hubby."

With just a brief exchange, Lydia ended the call.

She then turned her triumphant gaze to Mildred, her eyebrows arching in delight, "Auntie Xia, you heard Reece's choice loud and clear, didn't you? What do you have to say for yourself now, hmm?"

Mildred was seething, her face a shade of angry green. She had never expected Reece to stand up for Lydia, turning her into the butt of the joke within the Ellis family.

Humiliated, Mildred was so upset that she abandoned her phone and spun on her heel to leave.

"Hold it!" Lydia's expression turned stern as she halted Mildred in her tracks, her voice icy, "Aunt Xia, you still owe an apology!"