This holiday had been a complete circus, Dad had been on his knees for two days without Mom's forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the family business hit a snag, with the Taylor Group circling like sharks. Best strategy now? Team up with the Taylors.

I met the famous CEO, proposing a merger through marriage, spelling out the ups and downs crystal clear.

He agreed without hesitation, puzzled, I asked why.

Sure, marrying me wasn't losing out, but it wasn't his top pick either.

"Heard Miss Colder's got a knack for handling the family bigwigs."

Got it, even the best judge can't untangle family knots.

News of my February wedding got out, and Grandma's folks were on edge, drove over in the dead of night to "persuade" me.

Even brought along my cousin from my uncle's side to convince me.

"Jessie, don't shoot the messenger, but stepping into high society ain't a cakewalk, thought you prided yourself on being a strong, independent woman? Got dazzled by some dollars, huh?"

"Hear me out, the guy Grandma found you is a real catch, got a son too, and no pressure to have more kids, talk about a sweet deal."

"If you know it stings, why say it? Just dunked your brain in a manure pit and forgot to scrub? I'm loaded, pretty, and smart, why would I downgrade to Nowheresville for charity? Plus, what's money done wrong, don't curse my cash flow, will you?"

Before she could go on, Dad hustled this nosy relative off to a hotel.

He came back and hit the deck before Mom, vowing our little family always comes first, everything we own is in my name.

Whatever the home drama, contracts are contracts.

Logan Taylor and I made it official, the wedding might have been hasty but didn't skimp on sincerity.

Ingredients for the feast airlifted in, I sneakily nabbed a couple of pastries while I could.

After waving off the guests and collapsing on the couch, Grandma starts up her tirade with her pet granddaughter.

"As a lady, you oughta be polite and hard-working, look at the state of you, no clue what your mom's been teaching."

"You could learn a thing or two from your cousin, give your brother a hand now and then, so if you ever get a rough patch, you've got a brother to back you up. Today's gals are just too touchy, making mountains out of molehills over domestic spats, think divorce is the answer to every tiff, but hey, which couple doesn't bicker?"

I mustered the energy to give a thumbs up, "Match made in heaven, peas in a pod, you two are a sight for sore eyes, really should have a monument erected in your honor."

Mom chided me with a laugh, and Grandma went from ashen to flushed and back.

She snatched up a decor stick and hurled it at Mom, I sprang up from the couch.

Cross me by insulting my pride or touching my Mom, and it's game over!

What in the world was my cousin thinking, blocking me, hollering about giving the old lady a break.

We should cut Grandma some slack at this gathering.

I sent a slap flying her way, "No face saved here, buy one slap, get one free, you in?"

The sharp slap silenced the room, she covered her face in tears, staring at me.

Grandma too stunned to squeak, my new hubby and mother-in-law silently scoped out the scene at the doorway.

"Logan, I just saw stars for a second, quick, get security to clear out these extras, I need to have a word with your mother-in-law."

Then she cozily escorted Mom to another room.

Soon, it was just me and him left, locked in a gaze.

"Miss Colder, you've got some serious skills, hope you can handle my family too, Mom's all I care about."

"No sweat, it's all in a day's work."

Yeah, right, the pocket money Mr. Taylor showered on me could keep me slaving away, not to mention sorting out these little dramas!

Settling into the mansion, I finally got why Mr. Taylor needed me around.

The young maid threw me shade while Mrs. Warner, the housekeeper, tried to smooth things over, telling me she's just green and doesn't know better, and I should let it slide, even dropping that her grandma was Mr. Taylor's grandma's cousin or something.

I laughed it off and sent her to tackle my walk-in closet.

Seriously? As if I'm here to wait on her. Dealing with her is practically in my job description.

She kept her act together for a mere two days. After a quick trip back from college, my closet was suspiciously light on some clothes and bling.

Eyes blazing, she accused me of making stuff up, claiming I didn't treat her like a human, just because I looked down on her social class.

I fired up the closet cam, and there she was, drooling over my jewels, sneaking into my outfits, and — no surprise — splitting the seams because they didn't fit.

"You're just blowing Logan's cash! Grandma wanted me to marry him, you stole my chance, and now you dare argue over a few outfits?"

Before I could snap back, the girl stormed out, crushed.

Her drama was quite the performance; even Mr. Taylor's oddball relatives weren't this much trouble.

I had Mrs. Warner on standby with some aspirin, knowing the real drama with the old ladies was about to kick off.

Barely two hours later, Logan's mom, Nancy Taylor, barged in with an entourage of fuming grannies.

They flopped down on the sofa, demanding I kneel.

"Jessie, back in the day, a woman's jealousy could have gotten you dunked in a pig cage! Being a Taylor means holding yourself with dignity. Logan has his status now, and it's no biggie even if he has an affair. Granny's decided, Bianca stays here; maid work's beneath her."

"And you! Nancy, a mother-in-law having me sort out these petty issues, lucky to even marry into our family, and not a shred of gratitude. I wonder how your mother raised you."

The Taylor aunts and grannies began their tirades, criticizing everything from my education to my family background.

I stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and slammed it down on the coffee table, "Excuse the outburst. Give you an inch, and you take a mile, thinking you can strut around because you're tight with the big guy upstairs! Plus, it's my house, my rules. Meddlers can take an early grave for all I care."

The grannies' faces were an array of expressions, I pried open their mouths and had Mrs. Warner shove the aspirin down, watching them shuffle off with shaky steps. Nancy sighed deeply, suggesting I shouldn't have clashed with them.

They're elders after all, and it's not a good look for me.

Seeing her worry, I understood why Mr. Taylor insisted I handle this circus.

Nancy couldn't muster the backbone, and he couldn't intervene too much as her son.

Curious, I asked how she's endured it all these years,

"A moment of patience saves a thousand of sorrow. Besides, I'm younger; they'll pass on in a few years, and I'll be free."

That gave me a good laugh, not hopeless, just trapped by a lifetime of decorum.

"My mom and I hold a different view. Hold your tongue, risk your health. Step back, and risk even more. Let things slide, and you're asking for trouble. Stand your ground, and the sky's the limit. I'm not around for a century; I might as well enjoy life, no point fretting over false honors."

She stared at me as if I were an alien.

then silently nodded her head, her grip tightening and loosening on my hand.

Mr. Taylor came home that night and handed me a sapphire, commending my actions.

I clutched that gem, showering it with kisses—what a score.

It was crystal clear today; he cared solely about his mother's feelings, even wanted her to take a leaf out of my book.

As for the rest of the grannies, if they don't mess with me, I won't mess with them; if they do, I'll hit back twice as hard!

My partnership with Mr. Taylor has never been smoother; sometimes we even play the doting couple in public.

In the VIP lounge, I kept mum, listening in on the bigwigs for the latest investment tips, quietly raking it in.

"Jessie, you really got a handle on those old fogies—totally whipped! I'd kneel to learn your ways."

I flashed a knowing smile, "Keep it low-key, let's not make waves."

Now it was their turn to zip it, only Logan kept chuckling quietly.

On the ride back, I gave him the cold shoulder—no one likes being the butt of a joke!

Yet, that remark did spark a thought.

"I'm thinking about starting my own venture, any tips?"

At a red light, he looked me in the eye, seriously mapping out a plan.

I didn't have much corporate experience, so the best bet was to intern at his company first and learn the ropes—he'd see to the details.

Consider it payback for dealing with his wacky relatives.

Corporate efficiency meant I was moving my gear into the office within a week.

I'd been spinning non-stop, even crafting presentations on the car ride.

Lucky for me, the big boss was always nearby, quick to pinpoint issues and offer sound advice.

"Jessie, join us for dinner."

I stretched my neck, "Sure, Luke."

Luke was kind of a mentor, took me under his wing, and helped me get to know the ropes and the rest of the team was cool too. Even some younger girls blushed in jest.

No wonder everyone's clamoring to work for big companies—the vibe is just unbeatable!

"Jessie, you're incredible, got the whole company figured out in just two months."

I playfully hooked a finger under a young intern's chin, her eyes widened with a shy glare.

Shock! The big boss is smitten... Oh my!

I laughed heartily because I've always known my goals, that's why I've been all in.

Lately, Logan's seemed off, giving me looks like he's holding something back.

I darted out of the car, and spotting the bright red roses at my desk made my heart skip.

"Jessie, Luke said today's Women's Day, gave us all flowers, but yours is the biggest."

My phone pinged with a lunch invite from my hubby.

A strange guilt washed over me, peaking the moment I saw him.

Fortunately, he just wanted to discuss business, and the deeper we delved, the more enthralled I became.

No wonder they say a chat with a wise man beats ten years of study!

Suddenly, he asked out of the blue, "What if someone's gunning for you, what then?"

Without missing a beat, I replied, "Whoever criticizes me in the open gets a reward; whoever does it behind my back gets no mercy!"

"So, how would you reward me then? How about the roses on your desk?"

It scared me stiff, my fork clattering to the ground.

Before I could react, he was already scooping it up.

"Just pulling your leg."

I giggled, a mix of relief and amusement washing over me.

Incredible, how does a CEO like him keep tabs on a nobody like me?

After a moment, he sighed from above, his comforting hands massaging my head.

"Usually sharp as a whip, how come you couldn't see I was just jealous?"

The fork I'd just picked up dropped again.

My phone rang just in time—I almost kneeled in thanks—perfect timing!

Listening to the chaos on the line and Grandma's ranting, the magic moment quickly dissolved.

"I'll drive you, let's sort this out once and for all."