Chapter 4

The woman outside the door was dragging two suitcases, with a bulging travel bag slung over her shoulder.

Her name was Jessica Chase, Lucia's niece.

Last year, she came to the city to look for work and stayed with the Shaw family for three months.

During those three months, she used my skincare products, wore my coats, and turned my study into her personal streaming studio.

I reminded her twice, but Lucia said she was young and told me not to make a big deal out of it.

Right now, it was obvious she saw this place as another property belonging to the Shaw family.

"Claire, this place is so much bigger than James's house." Jessica craned her neck to look inside, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "Aunt Lucia said you can't handle such a big house alone, so she sent me over to keep you company."

She reached out, about to wheel her suitcase in.

I stood firm at the doorway, not budging an inch. "If someone told you to come, let them figure out where you should stay."

Jessica froze for a moment. "Aunt Lucia already said it was okay."

"She doesn't get to make that call," I replied.

Michael jumped in to defuse the situation. "Jessica just switched jobs and hasn't found a place to stay yet. There are empty rooms anyway, so letting her crash for a few days won't hurt."

I turned to look at him. "Did you already forget? I told you to leave."

He looked a little embarrassed. "We're married. You live in the apartment the company gave you, and I can't drop by to see you?"

"The occupancy agreement spells it out. Only employees who meet the requirements can live here," I replied. "Family can check in for short visits, but if they want to stay longer, the company has to approve it."

Jessica pouted. "We're all family, Claire. Do you really have to use the rules against us?"

I pressed the property management call button on the wall. "This place doesn't allow unregistered visitors. Please send someone over to deal with it."

Michael grabbed my hand. "Do you really have to make such a scene?"

"The real problem is people who show up with their luggage and act like they own the place," I shot back.

A few minutes later, two property management staff members showed up at the door.

They checked my occupancy details and then asked Michael and Jessica to provide their visitor registration codes. Neither of them had a code to show.

Jessica tried to push her way inside, but the staff stepped in to block her. "Ma'am, this is Ms. Harrison's place. You can't let others stay here or sublet without permission.

"If you keep pushing in, we'll have to call security."

Down the hall, a few neighbors had already opened their doors to see what was going on.

Jessica's face turned bright red. "Michael, didn't you say this was the apartment you two share?"

Michael stood there, frozen, not saying a word.

I answered for him. "This apartment belongs to the company, and only I have the right to use it. He doesn't get to decide who stays here."

Jessica kicked her suitcase, pissed off. "Then why did Aunt Lucia send me over?"

"Because she always likes to decide things for other people," I replied.

The video call was still connected.

Lucia's voice suddenly came through the screen, sharp. "Claire, who are you talking about? Jessica is my niece. What's the big deal if she stays for a few days? You married into our family, and you can't do us this small favor?"

I grabbed the phone and made sure every word was crystal clear as I spoke to the screen. "I've already moved out of the Shaw residence. From now on, where I live and who gets through my door is up to me.

"If you want to take care of your niece, give her your own bedroom."

Lucia completely lost her temper and started cursing me out.

I hung up on her and set her number to Do Not Disturb.

The property management staff gestured for them to leave.

Jessica stood by the elevator, dragging her suitcase and still grumbling. "I came all the way here for nothing. Who's going to pay for my cab fare?"

Before I closed the door, I shot back at her. "Whoever tricked you into coming, go ask them for the money."

The moment the door shut, all the noise from outside was cut off.

I made myself pasta and ate slowly by the floor-to-ceiling window.

In less than half an hour, our family chat was blowing up with dozens of messages.

Lucia was going off about how I'd turned my back on everyone after getting promoted, kicked my husband out, and bullied my own relatives who came to me for help.

A bunch of relatives I barely ever talked to started lecturing me one after another, telling me to be more sensible.

Some told me to give up my room; others said I should hand over my paycheck to the Shaw family.

I didn't bother arguing. I dropped the recording from that night into the group chat.

Every word James said about me moving out was crystal clear in the recording.

The group chat went dead silent for a good ten seconds.

Then Lucia deleted three messages and booted me out of the group chat in a flash.

I put my phone down and started sorting out the documents I needed for tomorrow's meeting.

*****

Around eleven, the doorbell rang again. But it wasn't Michael or Jessica showing up on the video intercom.

It was James standing outside.

He was holding a stack of printed papers, his expression grim. "Open the door. We need to talk about how the assets will be divided after you and Michael divorce."