Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Sean went out, saying he was going to inspect a construction site.

Landon said he wanted to visit his parents' grave. Vera rode her electric tricycle—the one that rattled everywhere except the bell—and headed out toward the edge of town with Landon on the back.

The cold wind howled, and Vera sat up straight, doing her best to block it for Landon behind her.

"How long has my brother had someone on the side?"

Out of nowhere, in the wind, Landon asked the question.

The back in front of him stiffened noticeably, and the tricycle swerved before she got it straight again.

"No... nothing like that..."

"I work in investment, and I read people well." Landon sighed. "Look at the way he looks at you—it's all fear, not love. A normal husband and wife shouldn't be like that."

Vera pulled the tricycle over to the side of the road and suddenly slumped against the handlebars, sobbing.

"Landon, I'm useless. I can't hold on to my man, and I can't keep my home in order. He... he's got a young one on the side, named Yaya, a college student, a full twelve years younger than him. I heard... she's already pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Landon's eyes went sharp.

"Yes." Vera wiped her tears. "Your brother always looked down on your nephew—said he was frail and did poorly in school. But once that woman got pregnant, your brother put her up on a pedestal. Last time... last time I even saw him take her to a jewelry store and buy her a whole lot of pieces, more expensive than that jade pendant I sold back then."

Landon handed Vera a tissue, his voice low. "Do you want a divorce?"

Vera waved her hands in horror. "No! I can't divorce him! Where would I go if I did? My side of the family is long gone, I have no job, and I'm this old already... For the child's sake, I have to bear it."

The classic sorrow of a Chinese woman. For the sake of the so-called "family," she would grind her self-respect into the mud.

"And if I had a way to get back everything that belongs to you—even more than that?"

Vera looked at Landon blankly, as if she hadn't understood.

After visiting the grave, they came back to the complex, and the moment they stepped through the gate, they saw a crowd gathered downstairs.

A red Porsche Cayenne was parked sideways across the entrance to the building, blocking the way.

A young woman in a white mink coat, teetering on sky-high heels, was pointing up at a fifth-floor window and screaming curses.

"Vera! You gutless coward! Get down here!"

The woman had flawless makeup, big wavy hair, and a Hermès bag on her arm—the classic "influencer face."

The neighbors around them pointed and whispered.

"Isn't that Boss Sullivan's little side piece?"

"The nerve—she's come right to their door."

The second Vera saw the woman, her face went deathly pale, her legs buckling until she nearly dropped to her knees.

"It's her... it's that Yaya..."

When Yaya saw Vera come back, she spun around at once, click-clacking over in her heels, and swung her hand up to slap Vera.

"You shameless old woman! Did Sean come home last night? Did you cling to him for money again? Let me tell you, every cent of Sean's money belongs to me and my baby—don't you dream of getting a single penny!"

Her hand hung in the air, but it just wouldn't come down.

Landon had caught her by the wrist.

"Ow, ow, ow! Who are you? Let go!" Yaya shrieked.

"What gutter did you crawl out of, screeching like this?" Landon looked at her coldly, tightening his grip a little.

"Ah! He's hitting me! Help! Sean's brother is hitting me!" Yaya started thrashing and wailing.

Just then, Sean's car pulled up too.

Seeing the scene, Sean jumped out of the car, his face iron-gray.

"Landon! What do you think you're doing! Let her go!"

Sean rushed over, shoved Landon aside, and gathered Yaya into his arms, aching over her. "Baby, are you okay? Where are you hurt?"

"Boo-hoo... Sean, look at him! You called your little brother home just to push me around! My hand's about to break! What if our baby got scared?" Yaya burrowed into Sean's arms, weeping prettily, but her eyes were on Vera, taunting.

Sean turned his head and glared viciously at Vera.

"Vera! Did you put Landon up to this? What are you scheming? Yaya is carrying the Sullivan family's flesh and blood—if anything happens to her, I'll make you pay with your life!"

"Sean, we're in a residential complex, with all these people watching. Aren't you ashamed?" Landon straightened his cuff.

"Ashamed? I'm rich and powerful now—who would dare laugh at me?" Sean roared. "Fine, since it's all out in the open, let's stop hiding it. Vera, this marriage ends today!"