"I heard you came today to buy this house back?"
His brows furrowed deeper, a note of blame creeping into his voice.
"I didn't even know you'd sold the place. If you needed money, why didn't you tell me? I'm your husband—did you think I'd just stand by and watch you sell your family home?"
From his tone, you'd think I was some clueless kid who'd recklessly blown through her savings.
"Alright. Since you like this house so much, we'll buy it back."
Ethan waved his hand and plucked the unsigned contract from David Whitney's grip.
"You don't need to pay. I'll handle it."
He didn't even glance at the price. Just pulled out a pen, signed his name in the buyer section, and called to his assistant: "Transfer the funds to Mr. Whitney."
David Whitney beamed, clutching the contract while bowing repeatedly.
I stood there, watching Ethan's smooth, practiced routine, and suddenly smiled.
Fine.
Fifty million saved. Enough to live very well for the rest of my life.
Seeing my smile, Ethan visibly relaxed.
He thought I'd caved again—like always—and even reached out to pat my shoulder.
"That's more like it. Don't always throw tantrums with me. Since this house is for you, let Vanessa use it for filming first. It's only a few months."
With that, he turned to Vanessa—gentle reminders about her health, not overworking herself—before rushing off at his assistant's urging.
The moment Ethan left, the fragility melted off Vanessa's face.
She sauntered over, eyes raking me up and down with contempt.
"Alex, did you see that? This is the difference between us."
"Even when Ethan buys you a house, he still lets me use it first. In this family, you'll always come second to me."
She covered her mouth with her fan and laughed.
"Now then, all you irrelevant people—out. Don't stand around being an eyesore while I'm trying to get into character."
I smiled too.
Slowly, I shook the purchase contract I'd just signed, then unfolded it in front of her face.
"Miss Fox, I think you've misunderstood something."
"The name listed as owner of this property is Alex Henson."
I watched her expression freeze, and I stepped closer.
"Since I own this house, I have every right to supervise what happens here."
"From this moment on, you won't damage a single blade of grass or a single tree on these grounds. Otherwise, I'll call the police and have you removed."
Vanessa hadn't expected this. Humiliated, her face cycled through green and white.
The crew members stopped working, whispering as they watched us.
She clenched her teeth, glaring at me. Then something flickered in her eyes—a vicious smile spreading across her face.
"Alex Henson, what are you so proud of? Do you know why Ethan so readily bought this house for you? It's pity. Just a sliver of guilt."
"And do you know why, all these years, he'd rather chase other women than touch you?"
"Because he thinks you're dirty."
Vanessa stepped back, her voice rising—loud enough for everyone present to hear.
"Who knows what kind of shameful things you did with those creditors just to pay off his gambling debts!"
"A worn-out shoe other men played to pieces—and you still act like your little sacrifice was some kind of achievement!"
