After the banquet ended, Charles Yin went straight to the Kerr Family for a private talk.
Naturally, Sean Kerr had to keep him company.
Charles Yin’s visit was hardly just for fun.
He was here for money!
Sean Kerr held shares in Yin Enterprises, so of course Charles had Kerr Family stock too.
So, next came the battlefield for the men.
As a woman, Cecilia Gu naturally wouldn’t be involved in these battles.
Since Charles said the Kerr Family had a nice swimming pool, she decided to check it out.
Cecilia Gu followed the maid to tour the estate, while Helen Jiang and Emma Yin noticed Charles wasn’t with her. Seeing Cecilia alone again, the two women exchanged glances and began plotting.
They shamelessly claimed to be leaving with the Yin Family, then quickly caught up with Cecilia, heading toward the pool.
The maid didn’t think much of it.
Emma Yin really was a Yin, strictly speaking, part of the family.
Helen Jiang’s family, the Jiangs, were close with the Yins too.
So when Emma and Helen said that, the maid didn’t question it, pointed them in the right direction, and left.
With Xiao Wang accompanying her, Cecilia leisurely toured the Kerr Family mansion.
The Kerrs really did love Western architecture.
Everywhere she looked, there were classic Gothic features.
Xiao Wang said, "Madam, I heard Mrs. Kerr lived in France for years, so her habits are deeply rooted. Looks like it’s true! She’s turned the place into a French-style castle."
Cecilia laughed, "Yeah. Too bad her thinking is still a bit too traditional."
"What do you mean?" Xiao Wang asked, puzzled.
"If she really thought like the French, she wouldn't have threatened Rona Muir. No matter how long she lives in France, she's still Chinese at heart. The idea of social class matching in marriage—it's something she'll never let go of." Cecilia smiled as she explained, "That concept is practically an Asian specialty! Sure, the French care about family background too, but not nearly as much as we do."
Wendy couldn't help but chime in, "Yeah, Vice President Muir is such a good person!"
Cecilia continued, "Honestly, I'm the same way. When I married in as an outsider, you all saw how Charles treated me at first."
Wendy immediately fell silent.
The affairs of the masters are not something a mere assistant should comment on.
Cecilia didn't mind and kept talking: "Even after Charles and I developed feelings for each other and he stopped caring about my background, the upper class still wouldn't accept me. Things only started to change after I met the Grant Family parents. On the day Ethan Yin returned, my mother spent ages teaching me etiquette. She once said: 'Family background is the best etiquette. If you don't have the right background, no matter how refined your manners are, you're just a servant.'"
Cecilia's words left Wendy stunned for a moment.
A trace of sadness flickered in Cecilia's eyes. "That's the reality—everyone is trapped by it. The idea of family background runs deep. Spending time abroad won't just erase it. Even if you pick up the latest trends overseas, once you come home, you're right back in that social hierarchy. Rona Muir is amazing, truly, but her only shortcoming is her family. Professor Mu's family is scholarly, but that's still not enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the elite. If Sean Kerr's family were just a local family, then they'd be a perfect match. But the Kerrs are high society. Entering that world is like diving into the deep sea. Rona's choice—quick pain over long suffering—might be the smartest, but also the cruelest way forward."
Wendy said, "Well, at least you come from a good family, ma'am."
Cecilia shook her head. "It's not that simple. The Grant Family used to rank outside the top hundred in Y Province, and that was before our fall. Back then, we weren't a match for the Yin Family, and now we've been erased from domestic rankings altogether. The only reason I get special treatment is because my child is recognized as the Yin Family heir. My marriage is approved by the Yin Family, so I've managed to hold my ground."
As for whether I can keep my footing in the future... that's too far away to even think about.
Chatting as they walked, the two of them soon arrived at a huge swimming pool.
It was an indoor pool, and as soon as they got close, the shimmering water reflected light all around.
"Wow, what a huge and gorgeous pool!" Wendy couldn't help but shout. "It's so beautiful!"
Cecilia looked out over the pool—a sprawling, five-hundred-square-meter infinity pool, with pale blue tiles lining the floor.
With the water shimmering, it was almost dazzlingly beautiful.
The pool wasn't just a standard rectangle—it was made up of several smaller pools at different levels, all pieced together into a giant floral shape.
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Mrs. Kerr's taste was truly impeccable.
Wendy, seeing such a beautiful pool, couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, even people who can't swim would want to jump in and give it a try!"