Chapter 7
I let out a bitter laugh, pissed off by her shameless, twisted lies. "You treated me like your own daughter?
"Is that what you call 'spoiling me'? Bossing me around every day, treating me like your free maid?
"And that's your idea of 'supporting the family'? Blowing my money on cars and watches for your precious son, but you won't buy me a decent dress?
"And me sneaking around with some random guy off the street?
"Mary, let me make it clear. The one who cheated is your precious son.
"He's the one keeping a mistress, and he's been sneaking our money to you so he could buy himself a house.
"Are you seriously saying you knew nothing about any of this?"
Mary was left speechless for a moment.
Then, after a few seconds, her voice came back sharper, practically exploding with rage. "You're spewing lies.
"You're slandering us.
"My son would never do something like that. You're the homewrecker sneaking around behind his back, and now you're trying to play the victim and steal our family's money.
"Let me tell you, Olivia, the Cole family isn't easy to mess with.
"Don't think about getting a dime from us.
"Apologize to my son and beg him to forgive you right now.
"If you don't, I'll bring people to your company tomorrow and expose you for the shameless tramp you are.
"I'll drag you to court. I'll file for divorce and nail you for adultery."
She was shrieking into the phone like a madwoman.
Those filthy words were unfit for human ears.
I listened quietly.
When she finally tired herself out, panting for breath, I finally spoke up.
My voice was as calm as still water. "Mary, I recorded every word of my conversation with Henry just now.
"And right now, I'm recording this call with you, too.
"Every single word you said is now evidence for the court.
"That's slander and threats of bodily harm."
"Go ahead and make a scene at my office tomorrow. I guarantee you'll be the first one served with a court summons.
"Let me offer you one piece of friendly advice.
"That property Henry transferred out was purchased with my premarital assets. He was merely a nominee.
"What you two have done constitutes illegal misappropriation.
"If I pursue this to the fullest extent, you and your son will both be facing jail time."
There was dead silence on the other end of the line.
I could hear Mary's shaky, panicked breaths.
She was totally shook by what I'd said.
She was a rural woman who knew nothing but how to throw fits and act tough. She didn't know the first thing about the law.
The idea of jail was like the end of the world for her.
After a long pause, she finally spoke again, but this time, her words were all bark and no bite. "Wh-Who do you think you're scaring?
"I'm not afraid of you."
I let out a soft laugh. "Fine, we'll settle this in court."
With that, I hung up.
Then I blocked her number without a second thought.
Arguing with a loudmouth like Mary was the dumbest thing I could do.
The only way to shut her up for good was to hit her where it hurt.
At last, peace.
*****
The next day, I went to work as usual.
But the moment I stepped into the office, I could feel the weird vibe hanging in the air.
All eyes drifted toward me, some filled with pity, some with disdain, and some with the cruel delight of spectators.
The design department colleagues were huddled in small groups, whispering among themselves.
The moment I entered, they scattered and pretended to be busy.
I figured the drama from the cafeteria yesterday had already spread like wildfire through the whole company overnight.
By now, I was probably the talk of the office.
To them, I was nothing but the side chick who had tried to cozy up to her boss, only to get exposed and humiliated by the wife right in front of everyone.
Amy saw me and looked like she wanted to say something, but simply sighed and looked at me with a complicated expression.
I ignored it all.
I sat down at my desk, booted up my computer, and started my day as if nothing had happened.
My calm attitude left the drama-hungry crowd a little let down.
The whole morning passed in that strange, uneasy quiet.