“Why are you putting on this show of pride and power? You, a poor wretch, think you can kick us out? Are you joking?” The security guard didn’t arrive, but Liam’s sister, a hag of a woman, stormed in, her demeanor dripping with arrogance.

It was clear she’d come to assert herself, believing her brother had secured a wealthy match. When I first started dating Liam, his sister had looked down on me with disdain. At the time, I was blinded by love and thought I was marrying Liam, not dealing with his unpleasant sister, so I brushed off her shortcomings.

Now, it was clear that a troubled family seldom raises a decent man.

I met her gaze with a cold, mocking smile, making no effort to hide my contempt.

So I’m poor, am I?

How laughably blind!

Emily seemed irked by my reaction, advancing towards me with a scowl. “Why are you glaring at me?”

“It’s Liam’s birthday today. I don’t want to argue with you. Leave now, before you force me to take further action.”

“I wasn’t aware Ms. Carter was Liam’s ex-girlfriend…” Darlene spoke softly, her voice dripping with false purity and innocence.

Her pretentious act was infuriating, but evidently, both Emily and Liam were enchanted by it.

Liam reassured Darlene, “Don’t let it bother you. It’s not your fault.”

Emily glared at me with undisguised fury. “You’re just here for the money, aren’t you? How much do you want? I’ll pay you to leave. Liam’s birthday doesn’t need your kind of blessing!”

Darlene’s voice was as soft as ever, but her expression conveyed clear provocation.

“Three hundred dollars,” I said calmly, the amount representing my salary for the night.

“What?” Emily’s laughter was rich with scorn. “You’re so pathetic that three hundred dollars means something to you? Fine, I’ll give you five hundred. Use the extra to buy yourself some decent clothes. Look at the rags you’re wearing. It’s shameful.”

“Don’t you dare mention to anyone that you know Liam. We don’t want to lose face!” Emily’s voice was sharp as she threw five crumpled bills at me. They fluttered to the ground like discarded confetti.

I raised my eyes. “Since we’re discussing money, let’s settle the account.”

Emily crossed her arms, exuding arrogance, clearly waiting for me to grovel and pick up the money.

“In the past year or so, I’ve spent nearly a million dollars on Liam. I want that repaid.”

“A million dollars?” Emily’s reaction was one of incredulity, as was Darlene’s.

Only Liam’s face betrayed a flicker of panic. He was still wearing the entry-level Rolex I had given him, worth three hundred thousand dollars. To cover my tracks and avoid suspicion, I had concocted a story about my family’s house being demolished and used five hundred thousand dollars as compensation. He had criticized my spending but seemed delighted by the lavish gift. Clearly, he had kept the details of this transaction from his sister. Otherwise, why would Emily be causing such a fuss?

Emily's face twisted with contempt. “You pathetic fool, have you ever even seen a million dollars?”

“How dare you claim you spent that kind of money on Liam? Aren’t you worried about being exposed for your lies?” Her scorn was palpable. “Instead, you should be tallying up what Liam’s spent on you over the past year!”

“Liam, get your records out. Now!” Emily demanded, reaching into Liam’s coat pocket with a steely determination. Liam, clearly mortified, tried to stop her. “Sister, please, don’t—”

“Why should we be lenient? We should be using the money to feed the dogs, not wasting it on someone like her!” Despite Liam’s protests, Emily managed to extract the phone from his pocket. Trembling, he opened his memo app to display the records.