Chapter 1

My father-in-law's stepsister was coming back home from abroad.

However, my mother-in-law looked like she was getting ready for battle. She even put on a stylish new outfit.

Arching my eyebrow, I wondered if the stepsister was someone so special that she got my mother-in-law so on edge.

*****

Finally, in the private room, we met Zelda, my father-in-law Easton's stepsister.

Even though Zelda was three years older than my mother-in-law, Tracie, she looked barely older than I did. Zelda stood there in a white silk gown, her runway model figure turning heads with not a single wrinkle on her face.

As soon as she walked in, everyone immediately started fawning over her.

The room was filled with Easton's relatives and childhood friends.

Most of these people were now big-shot bosses who threw their weight around outside, but the second they saw Zelda, they turned into simps.

Zelda was over fifty, but one would never guess it from her looks. She still oozed that timeless allure.

I figured I'd make my getaway to the restroom after the usual pleasantries, but Zelda singled me out to make a toast.

"So, you're Selena, my niece's wife, huh? Pretty and smart, but your family's just selling veggies, right?" she remarked.

I blinked, stunned. So what if my parents were selling vegetables? They earned every cent through honest work and even built up a restaurant business. We were not like the Sloan family, but we were still worth millions.

Zelda caught my silence and just smiled wider. She continued, "I always knew Tracie was too soft-hearted. If it weren't for her, with your family background, you'd never be good enough for Avery. I'm really fond of that boy. If only I had a child myself."

She shot me a look that seemed to say, "Seriously, as if you'd ever be chosen."

I looked around. Not a single one of the old guys stood up for me. They were all too busy hanging onto Zelda's every word, worshipping the queen bee herself.

I tipped back my glass, using the drink as a shield for my feelings.

I knew clearly Zelda was playing the seniority card, trying to put me in my place right in front of everyone.

If I mouthed off now, I would only piss off the queen bee and every old guy in this room.

All I could do now was hope Tracie would back me up.

Just then, the door swung open. Tracie and Easton walked in, hand in hand.

Zelda's smile faltered for a split second when she saw the two of them so close, but she quickly pasted her cheerful expression back on.

"Tracie, it's been ages. You still know how to shine, don't you?" Zelda said.

It was meant to sound flattering, but coming from her lips, it was laced with sarcasm.

Tracie was a bit angry, but when she caught my encouraging look, she offered her hand and replied, "Zelda, you've managed on your own for so long. It couldn't have been easy. Why not stay with us for a bit? Easton's always mentioning you, but work keeps him away. I'll look after you for his sake."

Zelda's smile stiffened. She glanced at Easton, but he just avoided her gaze, bowing his head in silence.

She took a long, steady breath, lifted her glass, and said, "Tracie, there's really no need for all this talk about looking after me. We're family, aren't we? Hope I won't cause you too much bother."

She kept herself meek and humble, her flawless face tinged with red and her lips bitten tight. She looked like she'd been bullied.

Easton sighed, loosened Tracie's hand, then walked over and gave Zelda a gentle, almost hesitant hug. "Zelda, it's good to have you home."

Zelda was swept up in emotion, tears rolling down her cheeks on the spot, and even the toughest faces in the room went soft for a moment.

Tracie shot me a look, her face a mix of frustration and helplessness.

To me, this whole scene was way too familiar.

After my parents split up, all my dad's side chicks would pull the same damsel-in-distress routine. I was just a kid back then, and I actually fell for it, thinking they were fooled by my dad instead.

But I was not a naive kid anymore. I knew how the world worked.

If I still fell for that act, I might as well be blind for the rest of my life.

But all that messy drama in this fancy family, played out by the old-timers now, wasn't really something a junior like me could interfere with.

With so many people here, I only have to shoot Tracie a look, telling her to stay calm.

If we wanted to outsmart Zelda, we'd have to take our time and move carefully.