We had agreed to spend the New Year with our own families, but at the last minute, my husband, Drake Murrell, changed his mind and insisted I go back with him this year.

I agreed, planning to take this opportunity to finally tell him the truth about who I really was.

When we first got married, my parents told me to keep a low profile so that Drake, who came from a single-parent household, wouldn’t feel pressured.

So I hid the fact that I was the daughter of the richest family in the capital, the Thorntons.

When we returned to his hometown, I specifically bought my mother-in-law, Diana Murrell, a pair of gold bangles. She accepted them with a beaming smile, praising me again and again for being such a thoughtful daughter-in-law.

However, the next day, as I passed by the old oak tree at the edge of Willow Creek, I overheard her talking about me with a group of people.

"Oh, you have no idea. My daughter-in-law is absolutely ridiculous!"

My hand froze midair, still holding my phone, as I instinctively ducked behind a haystack.

I heard her continue loudly, "She bought me a pair of gold bangles this year. The moment I touched them, I knew they were fake! I’m telling you, they’re probably those cheap online knockoffs, like the kind that cost next to nothing and start fading the moment you wear them!"

I was stunned with anger. She called pure gold fake?

Looks like the million-dollar New Year gift I had prepared for her wasn’t necessary anymore.

Diana Murrell smugly munched on a handful of walnuts. "Anyway, I’m not wearing that kind of junk. I’d be a laughingstock if people saw me wearing fake gold. What if it stains my wrist?"

"That can’t be right, can it? Liana seems like an honest girl," Martha Kane chimed in.

"Honest? Does being honest put food on the table?" Diana scoffed. "Just look at how shabby she is. She probably barely makes anything all year. Not like Rosalie, who’s about to become a manager at a big company."

The group of women around her burst into sharp, grating laughter. "Oh my God, who even tries to fool their mother-in-law with fake gold these days? That’s unbelievable."

My nails dug deep into my palm. The edge of my phone pressed hard against my skin, but I felt nothing.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

A message from my mother, Mikaela Thornton, popped up. Only one short line: "You’ve made it to your in-laws’ place, right? It’s the holidays. Keep the peace. Do more, say less."

I stared at Mom’s profile picture, forcing the anger in my chest down. Then I turned and walked back into the yard.

I had just carried the cleaned chicken into the kitchen, and before I even had time to wash my hands, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

A sharp screech of brakes followed, stopping right at the front gate.

"Oh! That must be Rosalie!"

Inside the house, Drake Murrell’s eyes lit up instantly at the sound. He rushed outside without hesitation.

I took my time washing my hands, drying them slowly, then walked to the doorway and leaned against the frame, watching coldly.

A brand-new BMW 5 Series was parked at the entrance, its body gleaming.

The car door opened, and a woman stepped out in a tight short dress with her long wavy hair cascading over her shoulders.

Rosalie Hammer.

"Oh, Rosalie! Look at you, coming over and driving such a nice car!" Diana had just returned from chatting outside, her face blooming with delight. The warmth in her voice was even greater than when she saw her own daughter.

At a glance, I noticed a small tag hanging from the car key. It was clearly from a rental company in the city.

"Aunt Diana, Happy New Year! I just got this car, so I drove it back to show you." Rosalie patted the roof proudly, but her eyes kept drifting toward Drake. "Drake, it’s been a year. You’ve gotten even more handsome."

Drake’s cheeks flushed slightly as he looked at her with a doting look. "You always know what to say. It’s cold out. Come in."

Rosalie turned and pulled two cartons of milk from the trunk, along with a bag of slightly bruised apples. "Aunt Diana, I didn’t have time to get anything fancy. Just these cartons of milk to help with calcium."

Diana clicked her tongue in approval. "Look at this girl. How thoughtful! You can tell this milk is a good brand. Must’ve cost quite a bit, right? Not like some people who only know how to bring fake goods to fool me."

She rolled her eyes in my direction, her voice deliberately raised.

I stood in the doorway, making no move to explain.

Rosalie glanced at me, a flicker of disdain passing through her eyes. She gave a fake smile. "Oh, Liana, you’re here too? I heard you still don’t have a real job this year. If things don’t work out, you could come work for me. I happen to be looking for a housekeeper."

Diana immediately picked up where Rosalie left off. "Rosalie, don’t bother with her. She’s a lost cause. Come in. I made you some really good tea!"

The group gathered around Rosalie like she was the center of attention and followed her into the house.

Drake sat right next to her, their legs nearly touching as they shared apple slices and ate together.

"Liana Thornton, what are you standing there for?" Diana turned back and saw me, her face instantly darkening. "Didn’t you see Rosalie is here? No awareness at all! Go, stew that chicken in the kitchen, and make a few proper dishes. Rosalie likes spicy food, so add more chili!"

Drake frowned as well. "Exactly. Stop standing there like a post. It’s killing the mood. Go get to work."

"Alright, you guys chat." I didn’t argue.

The moment I turned and walked into the kitchen, I heard Rosalie begin to boast.

"Aunt Diana, honestly, this car is nothing. My aunt already arranged everything for me this year. After the New Year, I’ll be joining Halcyon Group as a department manager. My annual salary is this much—"

"Halcyon Group? Oh my God, that’s the biggest company in Ravensport!" Diana’s shocked voice carried into the kitchen.

My hand paused slightly as I chopped vegetables. I almost laughed.

Pull strings to get into Halcyon Group?

Since when was my company hiring?

If I remembered correctly, the person she was referring to should be the project manager under me, Zara Finn, whom I had nearly fired for failing to meet performance targets.

"Rosalie, you’re incredible! A company like Halcyon Group—I've heard even the janitors need a college degree!" Diana’s tone turned fawning. "If Drake ever gets treated unfairly in the future, you have to stand up for him."

"Aunt Diana, don’t worry. Drake’s business is my business." Rosalie patted her chest confidently, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Unlike some people who can’t even afford a decent gift!"

Diana seemed to have found a kindred spirit, her tone growing even sharper. "Don’t even get me started. With the way Liana looks, what kind of future could she possibly have?"

"Rosalie, you have no idea. Last year, when I went to Liana’s house, I picked up that bracelet from a roadside stall. It probably cost twenty or thirty bucks at most. Might not even have as much metal in it as a spoon."

I thought back to last year. The silver bracelet on my mother’s wrist that had turned dark was the one Diana had given her. She must have felt guilty for giving my mother a fake, and assumed the one I gave her was fake too.

Diana let out a piercing laugh. "And guess what? Liana’s mom treated it like a treasure. She put it on right away, even teared up, saying I’d spent so much on it. How clueless, absolutely hilarious!"

"Hahaha, seriously?" Rosalie laughed along. "She probably broke out in a rash after wearing it for two days, right?"

"Of course! Later, I saw her wrist covered in red bumps, and she still refused to take it off!"

Clang!

The spatula in my hand slammed hard against the edge of the wok, ringing out sharply.

In that instant, scenes from last New Year's flashed through my mind.

That day, after my mother had seen Diana and Drake off, I accidentally noticed her discreetly applying some cream.

When I rushed over to ask what was wrong, she quickly hid her hand behind her back and smiled at me. "It’s nothing, just a bit of an allergy. It’s a gift from your mother-in-law. I should take good care of it."

So she had known all along that it was fake.

Rage surged through my chest like molten lava, burning through my insides.

After several rounds of drinks, Rosalie’s face flushed slightly, and her confidence grew bolder.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse under the table. Drake’s foot was deliberately brushing against Rosalie’s calf.

"Drake, back when we played house as kids, I always said I’d marry you when we grew up." Rosalie, emboldened by alcohol, stared at him with a hazy gaze. "Too bad I was young and foolish back then. I left to chase opportunities in another city and made you suffer all those years."

Drake’s eyes softened as he let out a sentimental sigh. "Yeah. If you hadn’t left back then, I wouldn’t have…" He shot me a glance, his eyes filled with disdain. "…ended up marrying a washed-up woman."

I lowered my head and continued eating, pretending not to hear, but inside, I let out a cold laugh.

"It’s fine! It’s not too late now!" Rosalie suddenly slammed her hand on the table. "Once the New Year’s over and I join Halcyon Group, I’ll be making hundreds of thousands a year to start! I’ll buy a big house and bring you over to enjoy life with me!"

"Really, Rosalie?" Diana’s eyes widened. "Your aunt really has that kind of influence?"

"Of course!" Rosalie proudly pulled out her phone and flipped to a photo. "See this? That’s my Aunt Zara! General Manager of the Project Division at Halcyon Group! A real executive, handling projects worth hundreds of millions. Even the top bosses in our city have to bow their heads when they see her."

I glanced up at the photo.

A slightly overweight middle-aged woman stood in front of an Audi, flashing a peace sign.

It was indeed Zara.

I set down my chopsticks, pulled out a napkin, and wiped my mouth. "Oh? Zara Finn is your aunt? Then I really should thank her properly."

"What, you don’t believe me?" Rosalie let out a scornful laugh. "Let me tell you something, you’re not even worthy of saying my aunt’s name. At Halcyon Group, aside from the mysterious big boss, my aunt calls the shots!"

"Is that so?" I smiled faintly, my gaze steady. "I hope she’s still that confident when the time comes."

Drake rolled his eyes at me. "Liana, cut the sarcasm. Rosalie was kind enough to offer you a job. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but don’t put on airs. Finish eating and clean up the table. Stop making yourself an eyesore."

I stood up without arguing.

Back in the bedroom, I left the door slightly ajar, just enough to hear the living room.

The sounds of clinking glasses gradually faded, replaced by hushed whispers.

"Mom, I can’t stand another day with her. I want a divorce." Drake’s voice carried a hint of drunkenness, but more than that, undisguised disgust.

"Really?" Diana’s voice shot up before she quickly lowered it again. "Then, what about Liana? She might be spineless, but she’s stubborn. What if she refuses to leave?"

At that, I held my breath.

Drake let out a cold snort. "Refuses to leave? That’s not up to her. Mom, didn’t we already plan this? In a bit, I’ll tell her my cousin needs money to buy a house and ask her for $100,000. We’ll get the money first."

My heart sank.

"Yes, yes!" Diana agreed eagerly. "Get the money first. Then we’ll pick a fight and force her to sign the divorce papers."

"What about those gold bangles?" Rosalie suddenly asked. "From the look of them, even if you said they’re fake, what if they’re real? Should we get them checked?"

"Checked for what?" Diana scoffed. "With how poor she looks, could she afford the real thing? I already looked. The clasp is worn. Definitely gold-plated junk. Keeping them is just taking up space. When the divorce happens, we’ll toss them back to her as bus fare so she can’t say we took advantage of her."

"Hahaha, Aunt Diana, that’s brilliant!" Rosalie laughed crudely. "By then, she’ll lose both her money and everything else, crying as she gets kicked out!"

"Rosalie, you have to treat me well then," Drake said in a syrupy voice. "For you, I’m willing to ruin my reputation."

"Don’t worry, baby. Tonight…" Rosalie’s voice turned suggestive, trailing off. "Tonight we’ll…"

I stood in the dim bedroom, fists clenched, my nails digging deep into my palms until they drew blood.

I took out my phone and sent a message to my assistant, Caleb Rhodes: "Notify HR. Terminate Zara Finn immediately for abuse of authority."