My husband said his grandfather passed away and he needed to attend the funeral.

I nodded.

Then I immediately sent him divorce papers.

"Don't you know we should respect the dead?

Can you stop being unreasonable all the time?"

I laughed.

Unreasonable?

His grandfather was standing right beside me. Let's see how he attends this funeral.

I tailed him all the way home.

Instead of getting out, I took out my phone.

There was the nanny's daughter bragging on social media:

"Your exclusive affection is the best 21st birthday gift!"

In the photo, she wore a white dress while snuggling in a man's arms.

That man was my supposedly devoted husband.

I cracked my knuckles and entered the house. Balloons decorated the living room packed with people.

The crowd chanted:

"Kiss her!"

"Come on, kiss her now!"

...

After several shouts, Joe Davis wrapped his arms around Elizabeth Carter's waist and gave her a passionate French kiss.

Cheers erupted.

When their lips parted, Joe lingered by caressing Elizabeth's mouth. Then he spotted me standing before the crowd.

His eyes bulged. He instinctively tried to push Elizabeth away.

But I moved faster—slapping him twice across the face.

Silence fell over the room.

Elizabeth shrieked and clutched Joe's arm, hiding behind him.

I stared at him with an icy smile.

"Since when did you learn to curse Grandpa dead?"

Joe stammered, but a short-haired girl shoved him aside.

"Who are you?

How dare you barge in and hit people?

Apologize to Elizabeth's boyfriend right now!"

Others joined in:

"Assaulting people? Where's the law? Apologizing isn't enough—call the police!"

"Check her records! Who knows what she'll do next?"

"Why'd this lunatic crash the party? Do you know who you just hit?"

I smiled at the speakers before turning to Joe.

"You think I shouldn't have hit you, right?"

As Joe licked his lips, Elizabeth tugged his sleeve and shook her head.

I watched their little act unfold.

Joe glared furiously.

"Michelle Moore, what's your problem?

It's Elizabeth's birthday! Don't embarrass yourself—get out now!"

Clearly, he feared his mistress would lose face.

I smirked coldly.

"Joe, where should I go?

Or are you hiding secrets you're afraid people might discover?"

Elizabeth burst into quiet sobs.

"Michelle, I know you've always liked Joe. Seeing him with me makes you uncomfortable, but love has to be mutual. Joe loves me. We've been together for two years. I'm pregnant with his child. He said he'll marry me after I graduate. I beg you, stop bothering him."

Joe didn't expect Elizabeth to say that. His face changed expression repeatedly. He glanced at me secretly out of the corner of his eye.

Elizabeth's words completely stunned me.

Joe and I have only been married for two years and one month, but they've been together for two years.

That means he cheated just one month after our wedding.

He used hiring a live-in nanny as an excuse to bring Elizabeth and her mother home.

I was actually deceived by them for two whole years. And she's carrying his bastard child.

At that moment, the short-haired girl spoke again.

"I get it. You're the live-in nanny at Elizabeth's house who has a crush on her boyfriend. I didn't expect you to be so shameless, trying to steal someone else's boyfriend in public?"

I was inexplicably labeled as a live-in nanny. That really made me laugh in anger.

"Elizabeth, haven't you had enough of your daydreams?

Who do you think you are, to deserve me being your live-in nanny?"

"Chapter 2

Michelle..." I barely finished speaking when wine splashed across my face.

The short-haired woman smirked, glass in hand.

"Looks like you're the one needing sobering up. We know exactly who Elizabeth is. Her mother Ruth Carter runs big businesses, her boyfriend owns a company, this whole mansion is hers. But you? Tch—look at those rags you're wearing, not even branded. All you're good for is breastfeeding and serving people."

Rags?

My clothes lacked labels because they were custom-designed by masters.

Other girls chimed in for Elizabeth.

"Exactly! Apologize to Elizabeth now, or you'll lose this job too."

A young man spoke up, voice dripping with mockery:

"Auntie, check your age. Competing with goddess Elizabeth for a man?

If you're that desperate, I could help—never tried a thirty-plus woman. Two hundred bucks a night enough?"

Laughter erupted around them.

I wiped the wine from my face, glaring at Joe.

"Joe, I'm your wife! You'll just watch them humiliate me for your Mistress? Mark my words—you'll regret this!"

Joe stared coldly. "Elizabeth is my girlfriend. You brought this on yourself."

His words hung ambiguously.

With classmates backing her and Joe on her side, Elizabeth straightened, confidence hardening her voice.

"Michelle, I call you 'sister' out of respect for your age. But remember your place.

Normally I'd ignore your tantrums. Snubbing me today? Fine. But Joe's a man! A CEO! You slapped him publicly—ever consider his pride?

I'm carrying his child!"

Her tone softened as she turned to Joe:

"Joe, I'm young but I'll always defend my man and protect your dignity. Unlike Michelle..."

Her double-edged words struck Joe's fragile ego.

I snorted.

"Thanks for reminding me—I only slapped him, not you!"

In one motion, I yanked her hair and slapped her pale cheeks—twice.

Elizabeth shrieked, clutching her face.

"You dare hit me? I'm pregnant! This is murder!"

"Barking again?"

I raised my hand, but Joe seized my wrist and shoved hard.

I crashed into the champagne tower, glass shattering as I fell. Shards pierced my palm.

Joe shielded Elizabeth instead, cradling her belly as he snapped:

"Michelle! Apologize to Elizabeth!"

Blood pooled in my hand.

Gritting my teeth, I plucked out each glass fragment.

Two years of marriage, like the shards in my hand, stabbing me.

Elizabeth leaned into his embrace, shooting me a smug smile.

The pain in my palm made my voice turn cold:

"Joe, in my home, you threw a birthday party for your mistress, let her enter pregnant with your child, openly cheated in front of me, and even made me apologize to her. Have you lost your mind?

Or do you think I, Michelle, am easy to bully?

Don't forget, I am your lawful wife; I can make you rich, and I can make you poor in an instant!"

Chapter 3

My words made Joe's eyes widen.

But Elizabeth spoke first:

"Michelle, Joe built his company through hard work and exceptional talent. He achieved financial freedom on his own merits. Don't act like you contributed much."

"The child I'm carrying will inherit this business someday."

I froze. Exceptional talent?

Ability?

Financial freedom?

He couldn't even understand the simplest proposal. Since when was he talented?

When he wanted to start a business, I gave him a million from my family. I secured multimillion-dollar projects from my father for him.

To protect his confidence, I even transferred department heads from my father's company to his startup.

Only he smugly believed himself gifted, wondering why elites would join his fledgling company if not for his brilliance.

Without my behind-the-scenes efforts, how could his small operation become an IPO-bound corporation in just two years?

Other guests began whispering:

"Did that woman really call this her home? Said Elizabeth's a Mistress. Think there's truth to it?"

"Possibly. Look how close she is in age to Elizabeth's boyfriend. Always thought that age gap was suspicious!"

"But he's defending Elizabeth so fiercely, and she's pregnant. Would a cheating man dare protect his Mistress like this?"

"Grab the popcorn. This drama's just starting."

The short-haired girl snapped: "Stop speculating! This is Elizabeth's home. I've visited often—seen her sleep in the master bedroom with her boyfriend. Met her mother too—now that's a true lady."

Understanding dawned. They'd defiled my bed. Gotten pregnant there. Nausea churned within me.

Elizabeth toyed with her diamond ring: "This is my home. Everyone here can confirm it. You're the trespasser. Joe, make her leave."

Joe nodded. "Your house, your rules. Whatever makes Elizabeth happy."

The short-haired girl yanked my hair toward the door. "Know your place, hag. Who steals men this brazenly? You're downright shameless."

She shouted to others: "Want to see this bitch stripped naked? Let's give Elizabeth justice!"

My pupils contracted. Instinctively, I shielded my chest.

Some men lunged, tearing at my clothes. I fought desperately, screaming for Joe to save me.

Joe frowned, raising a hand to intervene—but Elizabeth stopped him. "Relax, Joe. My friends know their limits. They're just standing up for me. Besides..."

She patted her belly. "This helps you keep her in check, right? I'm carrying your child. Can't afford stress now."

Comprehension flashed across Joe's face. He pinched her cheek affectionately. Together, they watched as my clothes were torn to shreds.

“Let me go, this is illegal.”

The short-haired woman raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

“We're eliminating a public menace here. Besides, don't you love stealing men?

With so many guys around, you should be thrilled.”

As her voice trailed off, I felt countless hands on my body...

Just as despair consumed me, a voice sounded from the doorway.

“How's my little princess enjoying her birthday? Mommy's present has arrived.”

Ruth, dressed in a dark green traditional Chinese dress and holding an exquisite box, appeared before everyone in a dazzling display of jewels.

She let out a terrified scream at the sight in the room.

"What are you all doing?"

The short-haired woman immediately ran to Ruth to complain:

"Ma'am, you've only been out for a short while, and someone came in to cause trouble. She even hit Elizabeth, who's pregnant."

When Ruth followed the direction of her finger and saw my face, she instantly turned pale.

Her lips trembled, and her eyes darted around nervously, avoiding my gaze.

The next second, Elizabeth put on a show of kindness and generosity.

"Mom, I believe Michelle didn't mean it. She's just upset seeing me with Joe. My classmates just gave her a little lesson to stand up for me.

Please forgive her this time, and don't fire her."

Ruth understood instantly, though her tongue was still a bit stiff.

"Well... carry on. I'll go upstairs first."

Furious, I spoke in a hoarse, icy voice:

"Ruth, you didn't stop Elizabeth from being foolish. Do you think these people can help you temporarily and also for a lifetime?

You let her lord it over my house with that bastard child in her belly? Do you really think I'm easy to bully?"

As I spoke, I had stealthily gotten hold of my phone.

Ruth puffed out her chest, shot me a glare, but there was still a hint of panic in her voice.

"You little bitch, don't talk nonsense. Do you think I'm afraid of you?

Everyone knows my daughter is Joe's favorite, and she's carrying his child. Only a daughter like mine is worthy of standing by Joe's side.

This kind of woman deserves to be taught a lesson. Don't hold back. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."

I suppressed my anger, trying to buy time.

"With what will you take responsibility?

You're just a live-in nanny. Do you really think you're a rich lady?"

I turned my gaze to Joe.

"Joe, everyone who has hurt me today will pay, every single one of them, and that includes you."

Elizabeth rushed over to attack me. I mustered all my strength to get up and slammed into her hard.

She fell to the ground, clutching her stomach and crying out in pain. Joe instantly flared with anger.

"Don't be polite to her! If anything happens, I'll take the blame!

If she dares to hurt my child, I won't let her off!"

Someone yanked my hair hard, and I fell heavily to the ground.

"Since Joe has spoken, we don't have to be afraid. Let's have fun however we want!"

"Pah! Just a little bitch who dares to steal Elizabeth's man and even targets her unborn child. If I don't teach you a lesson today, I don't deserve to be Elizabeth's best friend."

"Strip her clothes off!"

She charged forward, straddled me, and pressed down hard on my stomach, pinning me down. She frantically tore at my clothes.

Just as I felt more and more of my skin being exposed and I was about to lose the struggle, the front door was kicked open.

Over a dozen police officers rushed in.

Elizabeth covered her mouth in shock and instinctively protected her stomach.

The people holding me down were instantly terrified and raised their hands.

One officer shouted, "Who called the police?"

Behind them, I slowly raised my hand and said, "I did!"

Joe reacted swiftly, whipping off his coat to drape over my shoulders.

He yanked me into his embrace.

"Michelle, what the hell are you trying to pull?

I told you we'd discuss this later. Did you really have to call the police?

"Besides, cops don't handle domestic disputes. My company's in its listing phase—if paparazzi snap photos, do you have any idea the damage it'd cause? Elizabeth's pregnant!"

Then he flashed the officers an apologetic smile:

"Officers, this is all a misunderstanding. We were celebrating a birthday and must've dialed 911 by accident. So sorry for wasting your time. You can head back now!"

I slapped him hard across the face.

"He's lying, Officers."

I recounted every detail of what transpired, cold and precise.

The red handprint still burned my cheek, my clothes torn to shreds.

Joe tried to speak but choked back his words under the officers' stern gaze.

Elizabeth's friends quickly pinned everything on the pixie-haired girl,

claiming she'd egged them on.

None dared implicate Elizabeth—not with Joe's influence and her pregnancy.

The pixie-haired girl squared her shoulders at the officers, defiant:

"That woman's a homewrecking Mistress trying to harm Elizabeth's baby! I was standing up for my friend! Everyone should fight homewreckers—why arrest me?"

The officers glanced at me.

I simply said I needed to go upstairs.

When I returned, I hurled the wedding album onto the floor with a crash.

"See clearly—who's the real Mistress here?

That thing in her belly is illegitimate!"

Elizabeth turned ghostly pale, shrinking into Joe's arms.

"You're the legal wife?" The pixie-haired girl gaped at me.

Understanding dawned. She wheeled on Elizabeth.

"You bitch! I trusted you as a friend, and you used me?

Made me shield your bastard?"

As the officers led the group away, their curses toward Elizabeth filled the hallway.

Did she think this was over?

My vengeance had only just begun.

I pointed at Ruth and told the officers:

"That dress she's wearing and the box in her hands—they're mine."

Ruth panicked.

"Prove it! Can't I buy things myself?

Plenty of similar dresses exist—you're framing me!"

I scoffed.

"Too used to knockoffs, huh? This traditional Chinese dress was custom-embroidered by a French master. His initials are stitched inside the collar. Worth millions."

"And that box? Holds seven-figure jewelry I auctioned overseas. Think a live-in nanny could afford it?"

The next instant, a hard slap cracked across my face.