Chapter 241

"Did Ms. Graham and Ms. Spencer get on someone's wrong side somehow? I

don't understand why some people just have to be so confrontational. Don't they know that they should at least have basic respect toward others?"

The people around them whispered among each other, criticizing Shelley for being inconsiderate and lacking in manners.

Shelley winced slightly in embarrassment. She stammered with an awkward expression, "I-I didn't mean it that way! I'm blunt with my words, but I never looked down on them. If I did, why would I even come here?"

"Need I remind you that you just ordered me to lead your horse, saying that menial work like this is fitting for a lowly horse trainer like me? We've long moved past the master-slave dynamic in society. Don't you understand that everyone is equal in the modern world?" Mia questioned.

Her voice was calm and indifferent, yet it carried an inexplicable authority that made everyone feel uneasy.

Shelley was at a loss for words, and her face turned ashen.

Just then, Elena walked over from the side. She had just gone to the restroom; she hadn't expected trouble to arise while she was away.

"What happened? Did you upset Ms. Graham?" Elena turned to look at Shelley with a cold gaze.

Shelley's expression faltered instantly. She bit her lip and remained silent for a long time.

Elena grew irritated. She even started to regret bringing Shelley along today. This foolish Shelley kept saying the wrong things at the wrong time. One could say she was absolutely daft and clueless.

"Apologize." Elena shot Shelley an icy glare.

Shelley stiffened for a moment and reluctantly apologized. She decided to let it go for now because there was still an important event later. So, she couldn't afford to ruin anything now.

"Angela, since you're already here, why don't you stay a little longer? Ms. Spencer, it wouldn't be fun if you both left now," Elena said with a smile.

Angela couldn't be bothered to argue with them any further. So, she and Mia sat in a nearby gazebo, sipping their drinks and eating snacks while casually chatting with each other to pass the time.

"What just happened? What was all that about? We men didn't think it was our place to step in because it looked like a ladies' issue." Zayn walked over, his expression filled with concern.

"It was nothing. They just had a few questions for me," Mia replied with a faint smile.

Angela, however, let out an unimpressed scoff. "Zayn, if you care about your fiancée, don't keep forcing her to interact with these people. Can't you see that we don't fit in with their clique?"

Zayn's expression froze. "Did something happen just now? What nonsense were they spouting again? Tell me, and I'll-"

"A man like you can't resolve the petty issues between women. Many people may seem respectful toward us on the surface, but deep down they look down on us-not that we think highly of them, either. Give it some thought, Zayn."

After saying that, Angela stood up and walked away.

"Don't worry. It's nothing to be concerned about. I can handle things like these myself," Mia said with a smile as she pulled Zayn over to sit beside her.

She went on, "I'll be like Angela. She's independent and dignified. I will earn others' recognition with my own abilities. But if they don't acknowledge me, it doesn't matter to me anyway."

Mia found that she could truly relax when she hung out with Angela. In fact, she could learn a lot from Angela's attitude and approach to life.

Zayn let out a long sigh and patted Mia on the shoulder. "This is unfair to you. Just wait. When I inherit the company and build my influence, I'll—"

"Even if you don't inherit the family business, aren't we doing fine as we are now? If you ask me, you should figure out a way to start your own business instead of relying on your parents all the time.

"The more you depend on others, the more you'll be controlled by them. Don't you

understand this?" Mia frowned slightly, clearly displeased.