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."

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Drake dragged me out of bed.

"Liana, my cousin Kyle urgently needs money to buy a house. Give me your card. I know there’s $100,000 in it." He held out his hand like it was only natural, without a trace of guilt.

I looked at his familiar face and felt nothing but disgust. "I don't have money."

"Don't have money? Who are you trying to fool?" His voice turned sharp. "Hand it over. Otherwise, this marriage is over."

"Then let it be over." I looked at him calmly. "Drake, let’s get a divorce."

He froze, clearly not expecting me to bring it up first. Before he could respond, Diana rushed over, pointing at me as she snapped, "Divorce? Good! We were going to say the same! Sign the papers and get out. Don’t hold my son back from a better future!"

Rosalie leaned against the doorway, a cigarette between her fingers, watching like it was entertainment. "Liana, be smart. Hand over the money as a breakup fee. At least keep some dignity."

I looked at the ugly expressions filling the room and suddenly laughed.

I pulled out a gold card. "There’s a million in here. It was meant to be your New Year's gift."

"A million dollars?" Diana’s eyes widened, then she burst into laughter. "Oh, please. What is it, fake money? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable!"

Drake sneered. "Someone like you struggles to come up with $100,000, and now you’re saying you've got a million? Do you think I’m stupid?"

He snatched the card and tossed it straight into the brazier.

My gaze swept over them, cold and detached. "Drake, from today on, we’re done. My lawyer will contact you about the divorce."

"You think you can talk about lawyers?" Rosalie cursed as she rushed forward to shove me. "Who do you think you are, acting tough in front of a man? You need to be taught a lesson."

She reached for my collar with one hand while raising the other to slap me.

My eyes hardened. The moment her hand came down, I grabbed her wrist and twisted it hard.

"Ah—!"

She let out a sharp scream, her body forced forward.

I didn’t hold back. I drove my foot straight into her abdomen.

She slammed into the cabinet behind her, dishes crashing to the floor.

"Rosalie!" Drake shouted, rushing over to help her before turning to glare at me. "Liana! You dared to hit her? You’re finished! I’m calling the police. I’ll have you thrown in jail!"

Clutching her stomach, trembling, Rosalie pulled out her phone and snarled, "You dared to hit me? I was going to leave you a way out, but now you’re done!"

"Hello? Aunt, where are you? Get to the Murrell house now! I’ve been hit! Yes, Drake’s useless wife! Bring backup. I want her finished!"

After hanging up, she stared at me with a twisted smile, a streak of blood at the corner of her lips. "Don’t run. My aunt will be here any minute. I swear I’ll break your leg today!"

The moment Diana heard Zara was coming, her posture straightened. She pointed at me and snapped, "Run? Where do you think you’re going? Block the door!"

I pulled a chair over and sat in the center of the room, taking a slow sip of tea. "Fine. I’ll wait right here. I’d like to see how she plans to make me kneel."

Less than 10 minutes later, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

"Who the hell dared to touch my niece? Got a death wish?"

With a sharp shout, a middle-aged woman in a red coat strode in.

"Aunt! It’s her!" Rosalie cried, pointing at me. "She hit me and even insulted you! Said Halcyon Group is nothing, and even if you came, you’d still have to bow to her!"

Drake quickly added, "Exactly, Madam Finn. She has no respect for you at all!"

Zara’s anger flared as she rolled up her sleeves and stormed inside. "Damn it, someone actually dares to act like this in front of me? Let me see who—"

She charged in mid-curse and froze the moment her eyes met mine.