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Chapter 2
At the hospital, after an IV drip finally brought her fever down and she fell into a deep sleep, I felt completely drained.
When Anson had asked me to marry him, even though I knew he had a deceased wife, I still chose to believe he would treat me well.
We built a life together, a family, and the business we now had.
Over the years, even after Chloe was born, I never once neglected Oakley. Even when I found out Anson had secretly transferred some of the company shares to him, I kept silent.
Yet, after all this time, a simple family dinner had destroyed everything I had worked so
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Printe
hard to build
My youngest daughter’s restless murmuring in her sleep only strengthened my resolve,
It was well into the night, and not only had Anson failed to come over in person–he hadn’t even bothered to make a single call.
Maybe, in his heart, only his son mattered.
no longer hesitated. I pulled out my phone and typed the message,
“Don’t go to the office tomorrow. Wait for me 10 come home so we can discuss the details of the divorce”
When I saw the message sent successfully, i fell strangely calm.
After all, a heart that had been guarded for
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over a decade didn’t soften easily.
Yet, along the way, my own heart grew weary and cold as well.
The next morning, I arranged for Chloe to take the day off, and after the caregiver arrived and I gave her the necessary instructions, I stood up to head home.
I had expected that Anson would be waiting for me at home after seeing the message. But when I walked in, it wasn’t him. It was Jean, the housekeeper, tidying up the mess from last night.
“Where’s Anson?” I asked.
Jean continued her work without pausing, her tone casual.
“Mr. Gates naturally went to the office.
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Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
Madam, you see, why didn’t you clean up a bit last night? The wine’s soaked into the carpet.”
I gave her a cold look as she continued her complaints.
Jean had been hired by Anson’s late wife during her postpartum period, and before I married Anson, Oakley was always under her
care.
Maybe that’s why, over these years, she never treated herself as an outsider. I had once suggested firing her, but Oakley strongly objected.
Anson, feeling for his son, had asked me to be more accommodating, and so I had for all these years.
I ignored Jean, who was still cleaning, and
4/8
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
made myself a cup of coffee. After sipping it a couple of times, I dialed Anson’s number.
The call was quickly disconnected. I frowned and redialed, only to be greeted by Anson’s secretary.
“Madam, Mr. Gates is in a meeting. If it’s urgent, would you like me to relay the message?”
Hearing the secretary’s polite tone, I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before hanging up.
I knew full well what this “meeting” was- Anson was avoiding me. He knew perfectly well that I didn’t want the whole situation to become public, which was why his secretary answered the call in his place.
With that thought, my grip tightened on the
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cup, and I slammed it down onto the marble countertop with a loud clatter.
“Madam, please lower your voice. Our young master drank too much last night and is, still asleep upstairs. If you’re angry, don’t take it out on the child, Jean’s voice echoed, igniting an even greater blaze of anger within
- me.
I didn’t want to make a fuss with a housekeeper, but since she insisted on provoking me, I decided to make an example of her first.
“Jean, you’ve worked here for so long, yet now you act as if you’re superior? You’re still just a housekeeper. How dare you give orders to the head of the household?” I snapped.
Jean froze at my words, and then, with a
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Chapter 2
+
5 Points
defiant toss of her rag onto the table, she straightened her neck and shouted, “It was Mrs. Gates‘ final wish that I take care of the young master–an obligation I uphold with unwavering loyalty to the family!”
Her voice, far from being soft, was nearly as loud as the sound of the cup I had slammed down earlier.
“Mrs. Gates? What do you mean by calling her that? If you’re so devoted to her, then why do you still take my money every month instead of living off the inheritance she left you?” I retorted, splashing some water near her feet. Watching her face redden and her lips tremble, I felt a surge of amusement.
“Jean, understand your position. You think you can order around this household, but you should know your place. Before, I was polite to you out of respect for Anson, but
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Chapter 2
45 Points
now… you can leave, I said coldly.
Jean, realizing. I was serious about firing her, began to yell as she walked toward the stairs. I knew she was going to call Oakley down.
“Jean, weren’t you just worried about disturbing Oakley’s rest? What are you up to now?” I asked, not giving her a chance to respond. I quickly pulled out my phone and opened the police report page.
“If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the police and report you for trespassing” I warned.
Seeing I wasn’t backing down, Jean finally shut her mouth and slunk away, leaving my house in defeat.
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