Chapter 2
"A lawyer? Like the law protects homewreckers."
William suddenly smacked himself in the head in frustration.
He whined, "This family is a train wreck! Linda, you've lost it. You'll lie about anything to keep me on a leash. Do you have any idea who she is?
"Her dad runs Brightwell Corporation. I wouldn't touch her if you paid me.
"I busted my ass getting this top student to tutor Ryan, and you—"
William worked himself up so much that he clutched his chest, face contorted in pain.
Linda, like anyone in this city, understood the first rule: don't cross Brightwell.
She finally went silent, stood there, gaping at me in shock.
The women on the video call disappeared instantly.
The study was trashed. The silence was deafening.
I had zero interest in their mess. I left without a word.
If I weren't the Brightwell heiress, would I have been done for today?
I thought that was it.
However, two days later, William called. "Charlotte, any chance you'd keep tutoring Ryan?"
I shut him down immediately.
I never wanted to tutor in the first place.
If not for my school's charity project, I never would've met this insane family.
William asked, "Well, could we borrow your old mistake notebook? The one you used for exam prep?
"Ryan says every top student's mistake notebook is a goldmine."
Suddenly, I remembered how Ryan looked—skinny and shaking.
He probably just wanted to escape that place.
After a quick thought, I agreed.
When I gave William the notebook, he handed me cash, thanking me profusely, voice humble and sincere.
He said, "Charlotte, I know this isn't much to you, but we agreed on 200 dollars per session, so here's 600—what you earned.
"Guess I got unlucky marrying someone like that. She hurt Ryan and dragged you into this mess. I feel terrible..."
"Stop." I cut him off with a gesture.
I couldn't stand when near-strangers overshared like we were friends.
I took the money, but thought of Ryan and added, "I don't care about your family drama.
"But the way you two are? It's not good for Ryan."
William paused, then shook his head wearily.
He managed a tired, bitter smile. "What can I say? I married her, so I'm stuck.
"I just wish I could've given Ryan a better home. Once he gets into college, whatever happens, I'll—"
Linda appeared out of nowhere before he could finish.
Her eyes were bloodshot, voice shrill and unhinged—she looked ready to snap.
She yelled, "You'll what? Planning to divorce me?
"Ditch me for this bitch?
"You slut, I don't care who your dad is—even if you're the Brightwell heiress, if you wreck my family, I'll make your life hell. I don't care what it costs!"
Here we go again.
This lunatic was driving me insane.
I shouldn't have said anything to William. I regret meddling.
Before I could react, Linda snatched the money from my hand, eyes wide in disbelief. "William, you're giving her money? If I hadn't followed you here..."
People kept passing by, shooting us curious looks.
Two women, one guy, one woman going ballistic—imagine what they were thinking.
Strangely, I caught a flash of satisfaction in William's eyes, like he was enjoying the chaos.
But then he snapped out of it, frantic and furious, dragging Linda away.
"You crazy woman! Why don't you just push Ryan and me over the edge?" he yelled.
Linda seemed to forget I existed, bickering and shoving with William as they disappeared around the corner.
Perfect timing and drama—couldn't have scripted it better.
What a wild couple.