Ellie planted her hands on her hips：「You know what, Michelle? Looks like you have no intention of restoring our cards. You better not regret this!」
I didn't even spare her a glance. Regret? Please.
The next morning, a racket of clanging and banging drifted up from downstairs, loud enough to drag me out of sleep.
Every servant in the house knew I was a light sleeper. None of them would ever make that kind of noise.
I came downstairs to find the entire James family already gathered.
A familiar figure was bustling around the kitchen. Cecily Sawyer.
The moment she spotted me, she flashed a bright, picture-perfect smile.
「Morning, Mrs. James! Breakfast is almost ready.」
My brow furrowed immediately.
Ellie sauntered over, arms crossed：「You should take notes from Cecily, Michelle. Look how thoughtful she is, getting up early to make breakfast for my brother.」
「How much does your brother pay her, and how much does he pay me?」
「You!」
Cecily carried a large bowl of soup to the table：「Mrs. James, if you don't know how to cook, I'd be happy to teach you.」
「After all, you're a full-time wife. You really should be taking better care of your husband.」
「Oh, and that Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in the driveway is yours, right? Mr. James spoils you so much, buying you such an expensive car.」
「I truly envy you, having such a wonderful husband. I'm not as lucky. Everything I have, I had to earn on my own.」
Ellie jumped right in：「Exactly! You've been in this family three years, Michelle, and we've never once eaten a meal you cooked!」
「She's right, Michelle. I really don't want to say this, but as a daughter-in-law, you've been a complete failure.」
「Mom, then who do you think qualifies? Cecily?」
「Sure, she's better at waiting on people. She can drag herself out of bed at dawn to cook for the whole family, hang on your every word, and keep all of you happy.」
「But can she hand each of you a black card with no spending limit? Can she put you up in a mansion that looks like a palace? Can she buy you luxury cars, hire private drivers, and make sure you never have to walk a single step?」
Jacqueline's mouth opened and closed with nothing coming out. Cecily, still holding a plate halfway to the table, went rigid.
I walked right up to Cecily：「I'm not the kind of housewife who depends on a man for money, which is clearly what you assumed. If you'd bothered to look into the Farley family even once, you wouldn't have the nerve to stand here running your mouth.」
The color drained from Cecily's face. She clearly hadn't expected me to come back this hard.
Jordan slammed his palm on the table：「That's enough! You make it sound like this entire family depends on you to survive!」
「Dad, since you feel you don't need me, then perfect. Stop using the Farley cards.」
I sat down and took a bite of one of Cecily's rolls：「Not very good. Miles behind what our private chef makes.」
「But if you all love her cooking so much, have her come make breakfast every day. The chef can just prepare mine from now on.」
Ellie's voice dripped with fake sweetness：「You should be worried, Michelle. Cecily is younger than you, prettier than you, and more devoted than you. Keep acting this ungrateful and my brother will trade up!」
I turned to Thaddeus：「You want a divorce? Fine. Bring me the papers. I'll sign right now.」
Thaddeus shot Ellie a glare, then hurried behind me and started kneading my shoulders.
「Honey, don't be mad. Ellie doesn't know what she's saying. Don't stoop to her level.」
He waved everyone toward the table：「Come on, let's eat before everything gets cold.」
The second we sat down, Cecily put on her wounded-puppy act：「Mr. James, I'm still so sorry about last time, wrecking your wife's car like that.」
「My driving is just awful. I don't know why I'm so clumsy!」
