Americans are open-minded.

Only Chinese people are backward.

American mothers-in-law would never make things difficult for their daughters-in-law. Most live separately, not crowded together, with their own living spaces, naturally avoiding many conflicts.

That’s what Ji Ya used to believe!

She had lived in America with Ji Jiangyuan for over ten years. Whether from personal experience or acquaintances, she had never heard of mother-in-law relationship troubles.

If people didn’t get along, they simply wouldn’t interact – distance makes the heart grow fonder!

But Ji Ya’s previous boyfriends never reached this stage. In George’s family’s case, elders surely wouldn’t interfere with their children’s marriages… choosing whom to marry was an American citizen’s freedom, all adults could make their own choices.

If America allowed marriage to pets, some might even register to marry cats and dogs!

Freedom is relative.

Economic independence naturally means not having to listen to parents.

The Wilsons didn’t need to verbally oppose – they just needed to freeze George’s trust fund and let him choose.

George chose to bring Ji Ya back to America to smooth things over.

Mrs. Wilson was impossible to please, neither with kindness nor firmness.

“George, I don’t know how to get along with your mother anymore. I tried inviting her to dinner, but she said she was busy renovating the theater. When I offered to help, she said she had dinner plans and would watch a musical afterward.”

Just listen to that busy life – what were 60-something-year-old women doing in China?

If they could move at all, they’d be doing housework and watching grandchildren.

Mrs. Wilson’s current lifestyle was exactly what Ji Ya dreamed of, but her packed schedule deliberately excluded Ji Ya, naturally leading Ji Ya to complain to George.

Previously, George would have certainly comforted Ji Ya.

But after today’s deep conversation with Old Ivan, George himself was uncertain:

“Don’t worry about my mother. I talked with Father today – they know about your bank loan in Pengcheng.”

“So… they froze your trust fund because of this?”

Ji Ya laughed bitterly, immediately forgetting her complaints about Mrs. Wilson.

The situation was clear now. No wonder Mrs. Wilson was so uncompromising in forcing George back to America – this was the reason.

“Your parents fear I’ll spend all your money, they’re so guarded against me. George, do you think the same way?”

George shook his head, “No, of course not! If they keep fixating on this, I’ll sell my properties to help you repay the bank loan. Darling, we’re married, you’re my love – how could I let you handle the debt alone!”

Ji Ya’s anger subsided partially, but some remained:

“Don’t sell your properties. If you do that, your trust fund will never be unfrozen. Your parents don’t have just you for a son – they can change the trust fund beneficiary to someone else. Freezing it is their warning to you! George, I want to talk with your father.”

What use was pleasing Mrs. Wilson? In Ji Ya’s view, Old Ivan made the decisions in George’s family.

George held his head, “You don’t want to talk to him. Do you know what he’ll say?”

George refused.

But Ji Ya insisted.

Mrs. Wilson had left at 5 PM, saying she had dinner plans followed by a musical – clearly, she wouldn’t return until very late.

Ji Ya took this chance to speak with Old Ivan alone.

“Go ahead, what do you want to say?”

Old Ivan kept his distance from Ji Ya, feeling safe only with the long table between them. It was just the two of them now, as Ji Ya had insisted on speaking privately.

Given Ji Ya’s terrible mental state, Old Ivan feared she might become violent if emotionally agitated.

Ji Ya took a deep breath, “I know you don’t want George staying in China. To force him back to America, or rather to force us apart, you froze his trust fund.”

“Oh? Why would Cynthia and I force you apart? Have you looked for reasons within yourself?”

Old Ivan placed his hands on the table, questioning Ji Ya.

“Because of the bad first impression-“

“That’s one reason, but not the main one. Want to know why? Because George loves you, but you don’t love him! He’s just a rich man you’ve carefully trapped. Once George has no money, you’ll leave him… Poor George still thinks there’s love between you. Don’t look at me like that – if I’m wrong, why rush back to America with George just because the trust fund was frozen? No need to hurry – besides the trust fund, George has some real estate, enough for you two to squander away in China! Go ahead, I know George wants to sell the properties. Sell and spend it all – then he can see your true face sooner!”

Old Ivan’s long speech struck at Ji Ya’s heart. She frowned:

“So that’s it – you think I married George to scam his money?”

Except for additional investment in her fashion brand, when had she ever asked George for money?

The fashion brand investment could be repaid with interest, and Ji Ya had even written George an IOU. Old Ivan’s words were unbearable to the proud Ji Ya – in all her relationships, even marrying Tang Hongen, she’d never worried about money.

Only when Tang Hongen was sent to the labor camp and his salary stopped did Ji Ya ever lack money?

But that didn’t last long – she divorced Tang Hongen, and her family helped support her anyway.

Now Old Ivan was saying she was after money!

Old Ivan’s eyes were full of mockery. Ji Ya’s chest heaved:

“I don’t want George’s money – you can rest assured.”

Old Ivan didn’t believe her. Ji Ya stood up in angry humiliation: “I know American laws about this – you’re afraid I’ll take money if George and I divorce. I’m willing to sign a property waiver!”

Old Ivan had been waiting for these words from Ji Ya.

Waive rights to marital property?

He had the legal documents ready – would Ji Ya’s tough talk fool him? He’d only believe it when she signed the agreement in black and white.

“Then sign these.”

Old Ivan had someone bring a thick stack of documents.

Ji Ya was dumbfounded.

George’s father was prepared?

Calling her and George back to America – the main purpose was to have her sign a marital property waiver?

…And what about George – did he know?

Ji Ya’s temples throbbed; she could barely hold the pen steady.

“What’s wrong, with having regrets? I knew a woman like you – no matter how nice your words sound, when they touch benefits, you forget what you just said.”

Ji Ya laughed coldly:

“Who says I won’t sign? I just want to ask – does George know about this? Call George here now. I think he needs to be present for this moment!”