Chapter 4

Over the next three days, Lily completely treated my house like her personal playground.

Not only did she take over the master bedroom, but she also invited Ethan's old frat bros and her own group of "girlfriends" over.

Every night, the house was a chaotic mess.

A bunch of people sat in the living room drinking, playing cards, and shouting.

Lily walked around wearing Ethan’s button-down shirts, acting like the lady of the estate.

"Lily, Ethan really came through for you. He even set up a will."

A guy with bleached blonde hair raised his glass, loudly kissing her ass.

"Yeah, Ethan's biggest regret was not treating you better. This is his way of making it up to you," another girl chimed in.

Lily leaned back on the sofa, cradling Prince, laughing happily.

"Stop it, guys. Ethan might be gone, but his love is still here."

"Once the will is finalized, I’m taking everyone on a trip to Hawaii to thank you all for taking care of us."

She shot a sideways glance at me as I stood near the kitchen door, purposely raising her voice.

"Some people just waste space. She blocked his life for five years, and in the end, she gets absolutely nothing."

The crowd burst into laughter.

I held my glass of water, watching these clowns with cold eyes.

Eleanor walked out of the kitchen with a plate of sliced fruit, placing it eagerly in front of Lily.

"Lily, eat some fruit. You're eating for two now, you need the nutrients."

The living room went dead silent.

Everyone stared at Lily in shock.

My hand holding the glass tightened slightly.

*Eating for two.*

Lily looked down shyly, rubbing her flat stomach.

"Eleanor, please. It's not even three months yet. The doctor said we shouldn't announce it too early."

She looked up, throwing a challenging look my way.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. Ethan is gone, but he left me the most precious gift."

Eleanor raised her chin proudly, announcing to the room:

"Our Lily is pregnant. Ethan has an heir!"

"This is the real daughter-in-law of our family. Not like some people who couldn't even give him a child but still took up the bed."

The crowd immediately erupted in congratulations, praising Lily like she was royalty.

I looked at Lily’s smug "pregnant with the heir" face, holding back a laugh.

Ethan was diagnosed with severe male factor infertility three years ago. His active sperm count was literally zero.

Only Ethan and I knew about this.

Whoever was growing inside Lily's womb, it definitely wasn't Ethan’s.

But I didn't say a word.

Now wasn't the time.

I took my glass, turned around, and walked back to my guest room, shutting out the noise.

The higher you climb, the harder you fall.

Lily, enjoy your little victory tonight. Tomorrow, you'll be begging for mercy.

On the third morning, the lawyer rang the doorbell right on time.

Lily had dressed up in an incredibly formal white suit, her hair pinned up flawlessly.

She had even put a tiny black bowtie on her cat, Prince.

The living room was packed. Eleanor, Lily’s relatives, and all her fake friends had showed up to witness her "big moment."

Mr. Vance carrying his briefcase looked around the room, his eyes finally landing on me.

"Mrs. Chloe, as a legal spouse, you are also a beneficiary. Please take a seat."

I pulled out a chair and sat directly opposite Lily.

Lily looked at me, her smile practically splitting her face.

"Chloe, honestly, you don't need to sit here and embarrass yourself."

"Ethan’s will probably doesn't even have a single comma dedicated to you."

I didn’t respond. I just knocked on the table, gesturing to the lawyer.

Mr. Vance cleared his throat and pulled a sealed document from his briefcase.

"Everyone, this is the last will and testament of Ethan, executed and notarized before his passing."

"I will now read it aloud."

The living room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Lily sat up straight, clasping her hands tightly, her eyes burning with excitement.

Eleanor stared unblinkingly at the document in the lawyer’s hands.

"I, Ethan, hereby declare this to be my will. The penthouse downtown, along with all funds remaining in my personal bank accounts, shall be inherited solely by Miss Lily Zhao."

Mr. Vance’s voice was steady and clear.

As soon as he finished, the living room erupted into wild applause.

Eleanor grabbed Lily in a tearful hug.

"Lily! Did you hear that? Ethan left everything to you!"

Lily shot me a smug, arrogant look.

"I'm sorry, Chloe. But he loved me more."

"This house and Ethan’s money are mine now. Please pack your bags and leave today."

Faced with her taunting, I didn't even blink.

I leaned back in my chair and looked calmly at Mr. Vance.

"Mr. Vance, is the reading complete?"

The lawyer adjusted his glasses and turned to the next page.

"Not quite."

He cleared his throat and read the next line loudly:

"However, since all of the aforementioned properties have been cross-collateralized as security, Miss Zhao must simultaneously assume the outstanding private high-interest debt of 1.5 million dollars."

As the lawyer’s voice faded, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.