Chapter 2

"Your father wasn't always like this..."

Finding the tissue box empty, I could only use the back of my hand to wipe Mom's tears while waiting for a VIP room to open up.

"If you want a divorce, I fully support you."

Since my work was classified, I only told Mom I had a job.

But she misunderstood.

"You've been such a good student since childhood. With the economy so bad now, just having a job is good. Mom has savings to support you."

I smiled softly, about to reveal that I was going to be Dad's boss.

But Eleanor and Harold burst in, interrupting me.

Eleanor dramatically stroked Mom's pregnant belly, clasping her hands together in prayer.

"Claire, you've been with Matthew for over thirty years. What storm can't you weather?"

"Matthew's about to become Vice President with double the salary, and you're pregnant with his son. If you divorce now, won't you just be handing everything to that woman!"

Harold was even more direct.

"What man doesn't cheat? Your nephew is about to buy a house and get married. He's planning to borrow a million from Matthew. Just bear with it for now."

Eleanor and Harold, despite being Mom's own parents, chattered away trying to smooth things over.

On the surface claiming to think of Mom, but actually sacrificing her to support my uncle.

Seeing Mom silently crying, I spoke harshly to Eleanor and Harold for the first time.

"From now on, Mom has me. Please leave, or I'll call security."

Eleanor and Harold's faces flushed with embarrassment.

Unable to argue back, they could only curse me as an ungrateful old maid.

When I pretended to expose Dad and his mistress, they frantically grabbed me.

"We're leaving! Don't make a scene and affect his promotion."

Before leaving, they stuffed a thousand dollars into Mom's hands, saying it was for supplements.

"Don't divorce. At worst, raise that nanny's child. In the future, you'll have one more child to care for you."

Mom threw the money at their feet.

"I'm definitely divorcing Matthew!"

Seeing they could no longer control Mom, they slunk away.

I stayed with Mom in the hospital for three days of observation.

When we returned home, I immediately noticed two banners hanging in the main hall.

Celebrating Queen Susan's 30th Birthday

Congratulations to Mr. Rivers on His Promotion to Vice President of the Energy Corporation

Dad and Susan stood on the steps, calmly accepting the guests' blessings and flattery.

Seeing me and Mom return, the crowd knowingly parted to create a path.

"I told you they'd come to celebrate. The birthday girl was just asking about you two."

"She's so kind, specially giving you the honor of cutting the double celebration cake so you can share in the good fortune."

Mom and I were pushed in front of the eight-tier cake, knives pressed into our hands.

Dad's voice was filled with joy: "Ms. Anderson has always been understanding and a strong businesswoman. Our collaborations have all been very successful."

"Everyone should consider using her housekeeping company. Today I've hired a chef — please enjoy yourselves."

So Dad had packaged Susan as a female entrepreneur and was using the opportunity to drum up business for her.

In the past, when he threw parties for Mom, he only invited both sets of parents for a simple meal.

Feeling Mom's trembling, I pulled her forward.

Facing all the guests, I clapped to get their attention and spoke loudly.

"I have to ask — since when did our housekeeper become a boss? What exactly has Dad been collaborating with the housekeeper on? Collaborating on affairs or getting pregnant?"

That sentence was like cold water dropped into hot oil.

The guests' mocking eyes stuck to Susan, leaving her nowhere to hide.

But with Dad's encouragement, Susan smiled confidently.

Videos of Mom's breakdown played on the wall, along with photos of me intimate with a man.

"Miss Rivers, you should go to the hospital and get tested for STDs."

"Your mom looks crazy — you should take her to a mental hospital."

Dad sighed, looking like a man unfortunate in his family.