"Don't worry, I'm not that petty." The practiced smile slid into place like armor. "What's the status of the land in the southern suburbs?"
Lucas Dickerson shifted gears seamlessly. "That plot has hit its ceiling. Zero room for appreciation. We need to offload it immediately."
"Selling now would be a bloodbath." A sigh escaped—convincingly reluctant. "We'd be taking a massive loss."
"Even so, it has to go. Holding onto it will only bleed us dry." With that final verdict, he turned and walked away.
The moment he disappeared around the corner, the concern melted from my face. My phone was already in my hand, thumbs flying across the screen: *The land is available. Press the price down another thirty percent.*
When I returned to the villa after work, an unpleasant surprise waited at the door.
My in-laws had arrived.
They had never looked at me with anything other than disdain. Even before my family went bankrupt—when I was funneling resources to save the Dickerson empire—they felt their precious son deserved a woman with a more prestigious pedigree. Consequently, they rarely set foot in this house.
Their presence today wasn't a social call.
In the living room, my in-laws flanked Evelyn Gilbert on the sofa like bodyguards protecting royalty. The three of them chatted animatedly, laughter ringing off the crystal chandelier. The picture of a perfect, happy family.
Lucas sat opposite them, peeling a tangerine. When I entered, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes.
Gone in an instant.
"You actually remembered you have a home?"
My mother-in-law launched the first strike, her voice shrill enough to shatter glass. "A woman who shows her face in public all day and neglects her family is a *disgrace*!"
My father-in-law kept his expression stony. "Go cook. Evelyn is hungry."
"Okay."
I nodded submissively, turned on my heel, and headed for the kitchen.
Lucas followed moments later. He stood beside me at the counter, hesitating for a second before lowering his voice. "I know this is unfair to you."
"I don't mind." The gentle, sacrificial smile came easily—I'd worn it for years. "Lucas, the kindness you showed me back then... I'll spend my whole life repaying it."
"You won't need to do much." His tone was dismissive, almost bored. "Evelyn is moving in. You just need to handle the daily chores and take care of us."
"No problem."
Soon, a table laden with intricate dishes was ready.
"Stand over there. We'll call you if we need anything." My mother-in-law pointed to the corner. Her tone brooked no argument.
I obeyed. Standing silently like a statue, ready to pour tea or refill water at a moment's notice. After the meal, they demanded tea and snacks. I served them with unwavering patience.
My absolute compliance left Evelyn frustrated; the schemes she had prepared to humiliate me were useless against a wall of submission.
Unwilling to let the moment pass, she suddenly burst into tears.
"Evelyn, honey, why are you crying?" My mother-in-law was instantly frantic. "Did that *wench* Daniela give you a dirty look?" A venomous glare shot in my direction.
Years ago, before my family fell, she had treated me like her own daughter.
Now I was just a *wench* in her mouth.
"No," Evelyn sobbed, gasping for air. "It's... it's my mother. She scolded me today."
"Tell us, why would she scold you?" My father-in-law leaned forward, brow furrowed with concern.
"My parents think I'm an embarrassment." She choked on the words. "They said I have no status, no title. They said I'm no different from a *mistress*, and because of me, they can't show their faces in public!"
"Don't cry, Evelyn. I'll handle this!" My mother-in-law's finger trembled as she pointed it at me. "You. Divorce Lucas immediately! Agree quietly, and we might let you stay in the servant's quarters. Refuse—" Her eyes narrowed. "—and you're out of the Dickerson family tonight."
My father-in-law's voice was ice. "Hurry up and sign the papers. Stop occupying the position of Mrs. Dickerson."
Lucas looked at me, his eyes heavy with guilt, yet his words were ruthless. "Daniela, a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. We don't need it to be family. In my heart, you'll always be one of us." A pause. "You've held the title of Mrs. Dickerson long enough. Just give it to Evelyn."
"Okay. As you wish."
My face was a mask of calm.
But Evelyn wailed even louder. "If we just divorce like this, people will still say I stole your husband! They'll call me a homewrecker!"
Lucas thought for a moment, then turned to me. "Daniela, post a statement on Weibo. Say that you were the one who pursued me aggressively back then, and that *you* were the third party who ruined my relationship with Evelyn."
"Okay."
Of course, *what* I actually posted would not be up to him.
