At Li family residence

Knowing there was no way out, Erica slowly entered the dwelling. Several bodyguards stood at the door and greeted her in unison, "Mrs. Huo!"

She forced a smile. "Hello!"

In the living room

Blair and Matthew were the only ones there.

Matthew sat there in his usual calm and domineering manner, while Blair paced back and forth in the living room.

As soon as Erica came in, Blair rushed up to her and roared, "Erica Li, why are you causing drama again? You think things were going too well?"

For the last several years, Blair had been an elegant, noble lady of the Li family. But around someone like Erica, she lost all her elegance. At this moment, she was just an old mom, worried about her youngest daughter and all the trouble she could cause.

Erica quietly stole a glance at the man on the sofa. He just stared at the painting hung on the wall, as if he hadn't seen her.

Erica put a finger in her ear, as if she could clear the ringing that way. "Mom..." she said. 'I know I was wrong, okay?'

After rolling his eyes at his daughter, Wesley pulled Blair aside and whispered in her ear.

The angry mother's eyes widened in shock.

Erica was uneasy about the way her mother glared at her. Turned out she was right. Blair reached up and grabbed her ear. "You know this means I need to teach you a lesson, right?" Erica had been married to Matthew for a while now, but they never consummated their marriage. And it was probably Erica's fault. It was so ridiculous! Blair just couldn't believe it.

"Cut it out, Mom. That hurts..." Erica covered her throbbing red ear with a whine, feeling resentful.

It was not that she didn't want to sleep with Matthew. She was afraid. What was she supposed to do?

The man sitting on the sofa finally spoke up. He walked up to the mother and daughter and said carefully, "I'm just happy Erica's back here safe and sound. Everything else is my problem. I'll have a talk with her."

Blair wasn't about to let her off the hook. "Quit defending her, Matthew. It's my fault she turned out like this. I should be the one to teach her a lesson!" She had let it slide too long. Erica had gotten away with a lot when she was still living at home. But she was all grown up and married. Her daughter never lost that

ut she didn't really know how to tell Matthew she wanted to make love.

Ten minutes later, the mother and daughter went downstairs. Wesley and Matthew were sitting and chattering in the living room. They seemed to be having a good time.

Seeing that Erica went downstairs, Matthew stood up from his seat and walked towards her. "I'm going back to Y City. You want to stay here or go with me?"

Erica was going to say she would stay put for a few days. But she looked at her dad's face, and decided to change her answer. It didn't look like Wesley really wanted her around. "I'll go with you," she said finally.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Blair asked, a bit surprised. "Matthew, how about you leave tomorrow? I'll cook for you tonight." She was hoping to introduce Chantel to Erica. She knew Chantel wouldn't be back till evening. If Erica left now, she couldn't get the two together.

"Sorry Mom," Matthew said. "I'll bring Rika by soon, don't worry. But I have something I need to deal with tonight. So I have to go."

Blair didn't insist. The old couple escorted the young couple to the door.

Wesley told Erica again and again, "If this happens again, I'll punish you within an inch of your life!"

Erica stuck out her tongue and said, "Got it, Dad."

Blair added, "Matthew is a great guy. Other guys would probably not have waited so long and forced the issue. Don't be so ungrateful."

Erica glanced at the man who was walking silently next to her. Why didn't he put in a good word for her this time?