I stood up, and Ava, still clinging to my dad, gave me a triumphant smile.

I wanted to rip her apart.

Thinking of how my mom had suffered all these years, unable to hold her head high in front of my grandmother just because she didn't give birth to a son, and how she worked like a servant at home, taking care of the old woman while my dad was here fooling around with someone else, I wanted to kill him.

But no, killing him wouldn't be satisfying enough—making him suffer would be much more interesting.

I couldn't stand to watch their sickening display any longer, so I went to pick up my mom from the apartment they had set up for me.

On the way, my mom didn't know what had happened and kept asking me questions. When she saw the look on my face, she sensed something was wrong and fell silent.

Over the years, my dad had built up a successful company, but none of it would have been possible without my mom's support. If she hadn't married him without hesitation, helped him set up a home, and used her savings to fund his startup, he wouldn't have what he has today.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I swore to myself that I would seek justice for my mom.

The next day, I received an invitation from a friend to attend a banquet where many people from high society would be present.

I had planned to network at the event, but I didn't expect to see Ava there—as my dad's secretary.

As soon as she saw me, she quickly linked her arm with mine. "Penny, you're here!"

I pulled my arm away, glaring at her coldly. "What's the matter? Is this your family's event? Am I not allowed to attend?"

"No, Penny, you know I didn't mean it that way."

"Then what do you mean? That only someone who clings to old men can come?" I looked her up and down.

I used to bring her along to all my events, so almost everyone in my circle knew her.

Some friends had even warned me that Ava wasn't as simple as she seemed, but I hadn't paid attention at the time. Now, I was finally wide awake.

At this moment, my dad was socializing not far away, his eyes constantly darting in our direction, as if afraid I might bully his little lover.

Hearing what I said, Ava looked at me pitifully, as if she had suffered a great injustice, about to cry any second.

"My dad's not here, so don't try that act with me. Even if you cry to death here, no one will care."

There were a lot of big shots at the banquet, and I couldn't be bothered with her right then; better to spend my time finding a few investors.

I was about to turn and leave when Ava suddenly grabbed my arm and burst into tears.

"Penny, you're my best friend. Why are you treating me like this?"

I was about to push her away, but before I could, she deliberately fell to the ground herself.

I was still stunned when I heard a loud "slap!" My dad strode over and slapped me across the face.

That slap woke me up completely. I glared coldly at Ava as she pretended to pull my dad's arm, saying, "Why are you hitting her?"

The socialites around us started gossiping, but I wasn't afraid of their chatter. This scandal wouldn't embarrass me.

My dad helped Ava up, his eyes practically glued to her with concern.

By now, those around us more or less understood what was going on and gave me pitying looks.

After that, my dad kept Ava by his side, not giving me a chance to confront her. I later heard that after the banquet, my dad took Ava to the hospital for a check-up.

My dad hit me hard; my face was still stinging painfully when I got home.

My mom saw the mark on my face and looked at me with deep concern, asking what had happened. I didn't say anything and just told her to stay home and not go anywhere for now.

My mom was a sentimental person. While Ava was staying with us, my mom treated her even better than she treated me. Plus, my mom had devoted herself to my dad for her entire life. Her health hasn't been great these past few years, and I didn't want to upset her.

Watching her hurriedly fetch ice, I silently resolved to make those two pay for what they had done.

The next day, I went to the company and heard that Ava was now my dad's secretary, but essentially, she was just a pretty face.

Sure enough, when I arrived at my dad's office, I saw her lying on the sofa inside, playing with her phone. When she saw me enter, she didn't bother getting up, looking at me smugly.

"Here to see your dad? He's at a meeting. Want to wait for him?"

She seemed to be in a good mood, practically gloating.

"This company really lets any Tom, Dick, or Harry in. With standards this low, it's bound to go under sooner or later."

"You!"

"What? Been following that old man around for a few days, and now you can't even talk properly? Or maybe you've always been slow-witted. If I'd known, I would've taken you to see a doctor back in college."

I rolled my eyes at her and then sat on the sofa to wait for my dad. Today, I was here to talk about getting a divorce for my mom.

As soon as I sat down, Ava suddenly laughed and touched her stomach. "Penny, we're about to become family, so why so hostile?"

"My mom and dad aren't divorced yet. Isn't it a bit early for you to be saying that? Aren't you just after his money? I'd like to see how much he'll leave you."

I glanced at my watch; staying in the same room with Ava was suffocating. Just as I was about to leave, Ava slowly spoke again.

"I don't know how much he'll leave me, but I'm sure what he's left in my belly won't be less than what he's leaving you."

Hearing her words, I stopped in my tracks and gave her a suspicious look.

Hah, no wonder she was so confident—she was pregnant!

"Well, let's see if you can safely give birth to it."

After leaving the company, I met with a lawyer to discuss how much property my mom could get in a divorce under these circumstances.

After getting a satisfactory answer, I returned home to find my mom gone. On the table, she left me a note.

"Penny, I've enjoyed staying here these past few days. I've been married to your dad for so many years and have never been away from him. I'm going back now."

Heh, I didn't even need to think to know that my dad must've called and urged her to return. I immediately drove home.

When I opened the door, I froze. My mom was wearing an apron, a gentle smile on her face, as she placed freshly cooked dishes on the table.

Ava and my dad were sitting at the dining table, close together, waiting for my mom to serve them.

Out of my mom's sight, their legs were touching under the table.

Hearing the door open, my mom peeked out and, seeing it was me, hurried over to greet me, "Penny, you're back! I just finished cooking. Come and join us."

I walked over with a cold expression. When I saw Ava lowering her head guiltily, Ava instead acted all friendly and held onto me.

"Penny, come sit. Auntie made lots of food. Let's eat together."

I rushed forward in a few quick steps, flipped the table over, and shouted angrily, "Eat, eat, eat! I'll let you eat to your heart's content!"