"Mom, come here!!" Chris turned around, looking at me for help.

Every time he encountered a problem, he would instinctively wait for me to solve it for him.

Everything seemed to have become a matter of course.

Looking at the awkward Chris in front of me, this time, I didn't step in to help.

Instead, I smiled and slowly walked over.

"Add 300,000 for Jessica's brother's engagement money? As long as Jessica and Chris agree, I have no objections."

The Zacker family looked greedy and delighted.

Chris looked at me in shock, not understanding why I suddenly agreed so readily.

"But... I don't have any money. I've spent all my money on handling your wedding and buying a house for Chris.

"Here's the deal, Jessica. You and Chris discuss it yourselves. All his salary is saved by him; how much he's willing to give to your brother is up to you two! I won't be involved further!"

Under the Zacker family's expectant gaze, Chris awkwardly took out his bank card, admitting it only had 30,000 in it.

Jessica glared at Chris with disdain. "Useless!"

Facing the Zacker family's disdain, Chris awkwardly kept his head down, trying to appease Jessica.

After Chris repeatedly promised to hand over every penny he earned in the future, Jessica finally took the bank card and unwillingly completed the wedding process.

That night, Jessica's scolding filled the room.

"What a loser, saving only 30,000 after more than a year of work!

"What could I possibly gain from being with you? You're such a weakling! You've embarrassed me beyond measure!"

And Chris blamed all the mistakes on me.

"Mom, how can you push all the blame onto me? Aren't you usually so capable? Why didn't you just refuse directly?

"I'll play the bad cop while you play the good cop. Won't that solve the problem?"

I smiled slightly. "Since you're unwilling, you could simply refuse directly."

Chris sighed.

"You know Jessica's temper. If I were to refuse, how would I live with her?

"Mom, I know you have money. You could lend it to her brother, and I'll pay you back later.

"I'm your only son. Isn't what's yours also mine? Am not I going to have to support you when you're old?"

I laughed. Was he going to burn me to ashes?

In the past life, he had also painted many pretty pictures for me.

Using my retirement money to maintain appearances, he bought jewelry and cosmetics for Jessica.

He bought branded bags, clothes, and shoes to please her.

Whenever I said "no," he would play the victim and seek sympathy.

"Mom, since I'm your only son, isn't my money also yours?"

"Mom, when you're old, I will definitely take good care of you."

I mellowed down and took out all my retirement money, leaving myself no way to back out.

"What can I do? The old witch's money isn't easy to come by. You all know Chris is a softie who listens to his mom for everything!

"I'm living off the old witch's money and using her house. Chris' salary card is also in my hands. How much I give you is up to me, right?

"Moreover, that old witch only has Chris as her son. When she kicks the bucket, all her assets will be ours. Why rush it?"

I stood in the corner, listening to Jessica's conversation with her maternal family, and couldn't help but curl up my lips.

What a shameless calculation.

Competing with me? She'd met a tough nut!

Jessica's family is complicated, with a greedy and sharp-tongued mother, a father who drinks and abuses, and a brother who gambles and doesn't work.

And then there's her vain and parasitic self.

Unfortunately, Chris is so lovestruck that he doesn't listen to any of my warnings!

I am much more experienced, than him, but seeing him so serious about this relationship, I can only helplessly compromise.

I thought if I quietly supported this couple, they would be able to live well.

But reality proved that I was too naive.

In order to secure a good future for her brother, Jessica even climbed into her brother's boss' bed.

Her values were completely shattered.

I was furious and stormed to the door to demand an explanation.

The Zacker family, however, was pleased with the situation, thinking their daughter had hooked up with a significant figure.

They were urging Jessica to divorce Chris and were convinced that she would soon rise to prominence.

Jessica spat on me, her face full of disdain.

"What's the big deal about who I sleep with? If you want to blame someone, blame your useless son!

"If it weren't for your son showing off and pretending to be rich when he was pursuing me, would I have married him? I thought he was some hidden wealthy guy, but he turned out to be a wimp!"

I was furious and slapped her face, leaving it swollen.

Back at home, she clung to Chris, crying and complaining that I bullied her.

Chris, distressed, stroked her face and looked at me with a guarded expression.

"Mom, can't you be less harsh on Jessica? Why does she always have to be bullied?

"I know you're not satisfied with Jessica, but can't you be less vicious?"

Jessica looked at me provocatively, sure that I wouldn't dare to expose her infidelity.

First, Chris loves Jessica too much; without evidence, he would never believe me.

Second, Chris is deeply invested and can't handle the blow.

He once tried to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills and slashing his wrists because of a breakup with Jessica, and was rescued throughout the night.

I can't imagine how he would collapse if he knew the truth.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them down forcefully.

I can't afford to take the risk, and I'm too scared to gamble.

I could only think of ways to drive Jessica away, but she had set her sights on the wedding house I bought for Chris.

Neither side would yield, engaging in open and covert conflicts.

Under Jessica's provocation, Chris' resentment towards me deepened day by day.

Until Jessica became pregnant with the boss' child, standing before me with a victorious air, laughing recklessly.

"If you don't give me the house, I'll make your son raise someone else's son!

"He will stay in the dark until he's in hell!

"Do you think he will believe you or me?"

Unable to endure any longer, I pushed Jessica down the stairs, causing a miscarriage.

Chris knelt beside the hospital bed, crying in despair.

Jessica, on the other hand, coldly demanded a divorce, asking for the house and all the property.

Chris, filled with guilt, signed the papers in pain.

He blamed everything on me, harboring extreme hatred and hurling insults at me.

I watched this farce unfold, belatedly realizing that I had fallen into Jessica's trap.

Jessica leaned close to my ear and sneered.

"The child is developing poorly. I was worried about how to create an accident to get rid of it!

"Thanks to you, Chris willingly gave me all his property and agreed to divorce me!

"Mr. Lewis feels so guilty now, he sees me as more important than his wife! He said that it won't be long before he supports me in taking his place and marries me!"

I glared at her with fury, my nails digging into my palm!