By evening, I arrived at Nash's mansion.
The front yard had been decorated in a way that was over-the-top and flashy. Flowers and balloons were everywhere. Hanging right over the entrance was a bold banner:
"Welcome Home, Mom!"
Behind it stood a gold-and-white balloon backdrop, with strings of lights twinkling nonstop, making the whole place look loud and extravagant.
Under the banner, almost all the relatives and friends had gathered. They held champagne and cocktails, chatting, and clinking glasses. The atmosphere was lively, but it felt forced, like everyone was trying a little too hard.
The moment I stepped in, every single pair of eyes turned toward me. Their expressions shifted, subtle and strange.
I walked a few steps forward, and that was when I saw it.
In a dark corner of the yard, there was a body lying still under a white sheet.
My blood ran cold.
At that moment, Linda strutted over in her high heels, putting on her fake, sugary act.
"Jeannie, I only meant to teach your mom a small lesson. Who knew her health was so bad? Her heart just gave out on the spot."
She tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
"You're a reasonable person, right? You're not going to hold it against a little secretary like me, are you?"
So… my mother-in-law had actually been beaten to death by this lunatic?
My heart pounded wildly as I was about to expose the truth.
However, before I could speak, Nash strode over, pulled Linda into his arms, and comforted her gently.
"Linda, don't blame yourself. You were protecting my interests. You did nothing wrong.”
"If anyone's to blame, it's her. Short life, bad choices.”
"And the fact that you didn't ask Jeannie for emotional damages? That's already being generous for my sake."
After soothing Linda, Nash turned to me with an icy expression, his eyes full of contempt.
"Jeannie, take a good look at the mess your mom caused.”
"She dies in my house, fine. However, she scared Linda and ruined the welcome party I prepared for my mom. This is just bad luck all around."
Looking at his righteous expression, I almost laughed out loud.
I pointed straight at the white sheet and said, slowly and clearly,
"Nash, I'm warning you one last time. Go lift that sheet yourself and see who's really dead."
His brows twisted into a tight knot.
"Isn't it just your poor excuse of a mother? What's there to see?”
"My eyes are meant for important things. I'm not about to ruin them by looking at garbage like that."
His younger sister, Shirley Smith, immediately jumped in, her voice sharp and mocking.
"My brother spent a fortune buying this house just to welcome my mom back. And before the real guest even arrives, your mom sneaks in and takes over a room. Shameless."
She let out an icy laugh, her tone growing even harsher.
"Honestly, if someone like her just disappeared one day, it would be a good thing. At least she wouldn't embarrass the Smith family anymore."
She looked me up and down, her eyes full of disdain.
"You don't actually think you've made it, do you? Even if you manage to squeeze your way in, your whole family will never belong in our world."
With the siblings praising Linda to the skies, the rest of the relatives quickly followed suit, switching to mockery mode.
"Exactly. A mother-in-law who can't keep her hands clean? She's better off gone."
"This time she died in the house. What if next time she gets caught stealing outside? Where would the Smith family's reputation go?"
"Right? People might start thinking the Smith family runs some kind of shelter."
"So honestly, Ms. Rogers did a great job clearing out the problem in one go."
In an instant, Linda became the star of the night, surrounded and praised like a hero.
As if the woman lying dead there was some unforgivable criminal, and Linda was justice itself.
Linda shot me a smug look. The next second, she switched back into her fragile act, shrinking into Nash's arms and whimpering softly.
"However, Mr. Smith, the deceased is still Jeannie's mother. What if she goes crazy and sues me? I'm so scared."
Nash patted her gently, his expression soft with affection.
"Don't worry, babe. I've got you."
Then, right there on the spot, he pulled out a prepared settlement agreement and tossed it in front of me like he was throwing scraps to a beggar.
"Jeannie, your mom crossed the line first. Her sudden death is on her. It has nothing to do with Linda.”
"For the sake of our marriage, I won't hold you accountable for her breaking into the house or ruining the party.”
"However, right now, you need to sign this agreement. Promise you won't cause trouble for Linda in the future. Once you sign, this whole thing is over."
