In the current economic downturn, most companies were playing it safe.

Getting anyone to willingly invest large sums of money was nearly impossible.

Unless they had Austin's massive business foundation, which Carl didn't have.

"Alright," Ella said.

Ten million dollars would have to do.

Better than nothing.

Carl had brought the contract with him.

Ella took the agreement and quickly signed it.

"The bank will need some time to process the fund transfer," Carl said,

looking at her questioningly.

Ella tapped the table and nodded. "The sooner the better."

Data updates and iterations happened extremely fast; they couldn't afford to wait.

This was a marathon race.

That afternoon was Karen's eightieth birthday party.

It would be impossible for Ella not to attend.

Of course, she would inevitably encounter Austin.

On her way to the Raymond estate. Ella looked down at her phone and saw a message from Daron.

[Ella,you secured the investment!]

Daron sent her the bank statement showing the transaction of ten million dollars for the Prometheus Project.

Ella quickly sent a reply.

Daron transferred her twenty thousand dollars as a token of gratitude.

"You're incredible. Paul and I have been so busy with this project that our company is barely staying afloat. If you hadn't joined us, we might have lost everything."

Ella didn't fully understand why Daron had suddenly decided to create this project.

Didn't he realize that Al development required massive time and financial investment?

For businesspeople, it wasn't necessarily a good investment.

But Ella didn't bother asking.

She transferred the money to the detective, who confirmed receipt and promised to immediately begin investigating where Yasmin's money had gone.

She put her phone away as she arrived at her destination.

As she got out of the car, Ella naturally noticed Austin and Judith alighting from another vehicle.

She couldn't believe Austin was so unconcerned about Karen's serious illness that he would openly bring Judith here.

Wasn't he supposed to be the epitome of filial piety?

Margaret immediately went to greet Judith when she saw her, the two behaving like a real mother and daughter.

That kind of smile-filled, admiring gaze had never been directed at Ella.

When Margaret faced Ella, there was only endless criticism and sarcasm.

She glanced at them and then looked away, intending to walk past their happy family scene and enter the courtyard.

"Ella, stop right there!" Margaret called out.

Ella stopped and turned to face Margaret, her expression blank.

"You behave yourself in front of Grandma, understand?" Margaret warned.

Ella laughed humnorlessly, her gaze settling on Austin's face. "Understood."

Margaret looked at Ella with disdain, then turned to Judith with a smile."

You're always so well-behaved."

Austin didn't even look at Ella.

From beginning to end, his eyes remained fixed on Judith beside him.

Ella entered the courtyard, recognizing a few familiar faces from ladies'parties she'd attended, though she didn't know them well.

There were also some of Austin's business partners and various members of wealthy families.

Thinking about the remaining twenty-million-dollar funding gap,she decisively approached those who had previous business dealings with Austin.

Judith noticed this and whispered to Austin, "Austin, she's flirting with men again. Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Austin glanced over, taking in the scene, and replied coldly. "It doesn't matter."

Ella was completely insignificant to Austin.

He didn't care at all.

Judith,hearing this,felt pleased.

"Shall we go see Grandmother?" she asked.

She had been eager to meet the renowned Karen.

Gaining her approval would essentially guarantee her entry into the Raymond family.

"Did you bring a gift?" Austin asked quietly.

"Of course," she smiled sweetly, as if it were the most natural thing.

So they went to see Karen.

Ella had just obtained several contact numbers and was planning to arrange meetings later when the sound of something being smashed came from inside.

"Get out! I will never accept this kind of woman into our family. Get out!"

Ella's expression darkened instantly as she rushed into the bedroom.

She found Karen coughing violently, her entire body shaking.

Ella's face immediately fell as she hurried forward to comfort her.

"Austin, I was just bringing a gift. I had no idea your grandmother would dislike me so much. Did I do something wrong?" Judith buried her face in Austin's chest,sobbing.

Karen cursed loudly, her chest heaving. "You shameless woman! Stop this pathetic act. Even if I die, I will never accept you as my grandson's wife."

"Mother!" Margaret exclaimed.

Seeing the room in disarray, Margaret glared viciously at Ella and grabbed her wrist. "It's you again! What did you say to Grandma? Have you been stirring up trouble?"

Ella's wrist throbbed with pain as Margaret's grip tightened.

Her legs weakened, and she nearly lost her balance.

"Let go of Ella! Are you all trying to send me to my grave?" Karen shouted,struggling to breathe.

Only then did Margaret release her grip,trying to control her anger."Mother,what's going on here?"

"Ask Austin what he's done," Karen replied furiously.

Margaret was momentarily helpless, stammering. "He just brought Judith to see you. You've met her when she was younger. She even brought you a gift."

"You ungrateful mother and son! You have no appreciation for what Ella has done for this family all these years. You want to drive her out? Never!"Karen pounded the bed, her breathing becoming more labored.

Ella moved forward to comfort her, patting her back until her breathing stabilized.

Margaret's eyes filled with venom as she looked at Ella, but she forced a smile.

"Don't you want grandchildren? Judith can give you those."

Judith, in Austin's arms, added tearfully, "Yes, Mrs. Raymond. Ella can't have children anymore!"

With those words, Ella's expression turned cold.

How did Judith know she couldn't have children anymore?

Unless Judith was behind her miscarriage.

Ella fixed Judith with a penetrating stare.

"Grandmother, don't be upset. Austin and I won't divorce. Judith just wanted to pay her respects to you, nothing more." Ella said calmly,then asked the servants to bring Karen's medicine.

Ella stayed by Karen's side, carefully helping her take her medicine.

Karen grasped Ella's wrist. "Good child."

Ella couldn't help but shed a tear, which fell onto her hand.

Like a pebble creating ripples in still water.

Ella had to admit that in this family, only Karen treated ner as a family member.

Once Karen had fallen asleep peacefully, Ella left the bedroom.

"Ella, let me warn you-the only daughter-in-law I recognize is Judith,"Margaret blocked her path, speaking condescendingly.

"I've already prepared divorce papers. We'll sign them once Grandmother's health improves," she replied, having no desire to continue arguing with Margaret.

Margaret seemed satisfied but still eyed Ella with suspicion. "You love Austin so much-are you really willing to divorce him? This isn't some ploy to make him chase after you, is it?"

"Believe what you want," Ella said coolly, no longer as polite and submissive as before, no longer tolerating Margaret's baseless anger.

She left those words hanging and walked away.

Margaret was taken aback by Ella's newfound firmness. Her face turned icy with anger.

Had Ella grown so bold? How dare she defy her?

Judith watched this scene from behind, her fingernails digging into her palm.

Why did Karen accept Ella but not her?

She beckoned a server over and slipped something from her sleeve into the person's hand.