Chapter 2

Emma's expression changed.

I was stunned too.

I didn't recognize any of these people. None of them were the original staff.

"Who are you?"

I lunged forward, trying to pull the housekeeper off Emma. But two other housekeepers stepped in my way.

"Where's Mark? What have you done with him?"

Mark Rudolf was the manor's longtime butler. He had served Emma faithfully for 30 years.

But now, he was nowhere to be seen.

Irene sauntered over and looked down at Emma with contempt.

"Mark? Oh, you mean that old man?"

She sneered.

"That's why you've been so arrogant. That old fossil was your lover, wasn't he? No wonder he always had it out for me."

She reached out and patted Emma's face.

"What, he didn't tell you? I fired him a long time ago. This manor is mine now. I make the rules here."

I couldn't believe my ears.

How could Edward let his mistress go this far? She had actually dared to lay a hand on Emma's staff.

Then Irene snapped her fingers.

"Take them away! Don't let them ruin the Grant family's reputation!"

Emma had never imagined something like this would happen in her own manor, so she hadn't brought any bodyguards with her.

In no time, the housekeepers started pulling her toward the entrance.

I struggled frantically to get to her.

"Mom!"

Before I could reach her, Irene slapped me hard across the face.

"Oh, I nearly forgot. You're the one who's been trying to sabotage Caleb and Anne's engagement, aren't you? Anne's already three months pregnant. If she gets upset and something happens to the baby, Caleb will never let you off the hook!"

Pregnant?

For the entire two years of my marriage, I had wanted to have a child with Caleb. But he had always told me he couldn't bear to see me go through the hardship of pregnancy.

Now I finally understood.

It wasn't that he didn't want me to suffer.

He simply didn't want a child with me.

Hearing that, Emma tightened her grip on my hand. I knew she was hurting for me.

She and my mom had been best friends for decades. After Mom passed away, Emma had treated me like her own daughter.

When she learned that I liked Caleb, she had been so happy that she couldn't sleep all night.

"That's wonderful, Maddie! I'll be your future mother-in-law. And if Caleb ever gives you any trouble, you come straight to me."

But now, Caleb had gotten another woman pregnant.

Rage immediately surged through Emma.

"That scumbag! How dare he do this to you? Don't worry, Maddie. That bastard will never have my approval. Today, I'll wait right here and make them give you an explanation!"

"Bastard?"

Just then, a shrill female voice cut through the noise from behind the crowd.

"The child I'm carrying is the Grant family's only true heir! The future of this family rests in my womb! Anyone who dares call my child with Caleb a bastard has a death wish."

I looked up.

A woman dressed in a custom gown was glaring at me with undisguised disgust.

The moment I saw her, my entire body stiffened.

Six months ago, I had seen her stepping out of Caleb's car. Caleb had immediately explained that she was his secretary, Anne Mercer.

I had believed him without the slightest suspicion.

The moment Irene saw Anne arrive, she snatched my phone and handed it over.

"Anne, look! These two shameless women are a pair of homewreckers! They're trying to seduce both Edward and Caleb!"

When Anne saw the wedding photos of Caleb and me on my phone, her face twisted with anger.

But then, a cold smile crept across her lips.

"Mom, since they're so eager to get inside, let them come. They'll wish they hadn't."

Irene looked confused for a second.

Anne continued, "Tie them up and stuff them into the gift boxes. When Mr. Grant and Caleb arrive, we'll give them a huge surprise."

Gift boxes?

My heart sank.

Almost without thinking, I blurted out, "No! Mom is claustrophobic!"

Irene's eyes lit up.

"Really? That's even better."

She laughed and took Anne's hand.

"Anne, you're brilliant. That's exactly how you handle shameless homewreckers."

The crowd of influencers burst out laughing.

"Wait, isn't Caleb getting engaged to Anne tonight? What better gift for the happy couple than taking down a homewrecker?"

"Exactly! Let's help the Grant family clean up and take out the trash before Christmas!"

"Claustrophobic? That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard!"

"Right! A mistress belongs in the shadows anyway. What nonsense is she talking about?"

The housekeepers pressed forward, surrounding us with vicious looks.

Fury exploded inside me.

I glared at them and yelled, "The deed to this manor has my mother-in-law's name on it! Let's see which one of you dares to lay a finger on us!"