Chapter 2

My son, on the other hand, was tall and handsome. He had been an excellent student since childhood. He had earned his PhD from a top university. He was remarkably capable at work.

I was waiting for him to gain a few more years of experience before handing my company over to him.

What made Cal think that useless daughter of his was good enough for my exceptional son?

Cal planted his hands on his hips, looking furious.

“You’re just bitter because you couldn’t have a daughter of your own, so now you’re just putting Becky down for fun. Becky is devoted to her family. She’s capable. She just likes to play and never took her studies seriously, but she is brilliant.

“She brings in the laundry when it rains. When I’m sick, she texts to check on me. She isn’t picky either. She eats whatever is put in front of her. When it comes to a daughter this wonderful, you could never produce one even if you tried. You’re just jealous!

I could not be bothered to argue with someone like him.

“It’s ridiculous that you think someone like her is good enough for Christopher. Pack your things and get out of my house.”

Diane tried to talk me down in a low voice.

“Good butlers are hard to find these days. You’re busy with work, and we can’t have no one taking care of the house. Could you just bear with it for a while, until we find a replacement?”

Cal looked smug.

I roared, “I refuse to believe that with all the people in this world, I can’t find one decent butler! Cal, you’re fired as of today. You’d better return Christopher’s necklace right now. Otherwise, I’ll call the police and have you rot in prison!”

Good butlers really were hard to come by.

Cal was quick, efficient, and kept the house spotless. More importantly, he had once worked as a chef, so his cooking was excellent. That was why I had made an exception and hired him as a butler.

However, he talked too much. He constantly overstepped his bounds to lecture me.

“A man can’t just bury himself in work and ignore his family. I was just like you back then. I worked myself to the bone making money and failed to keep an eye on my wife. That was why she cheated on me and picked up gambling. Now, she’s drowning in debt and too afraid to even come home.”

At first, I actually felt sorry for him. I thought he was merely venting because his life had been so hard.

I even tried to comfort him and tell him that it was his partner’s fault, not his.

Gradually, he grew more and more brazen in his unsolicited advice.

“If you don’t learn to cook, clean, and take care of your wife, don’t be surprised if your marriage falls apart.”

After he had repeated this too many times, my patience ran out.

“What about you? You cook. You clean. So, why did your marriage fall apart anyway?”

Cal’s face darkened on the spot.

“I was trying to warn you as someone who has lived through it. Why do you have to be so mean about it?”

I snapped back, irritated.

“So, you do know what being mean sounds like. So just stop talking.”

That was when I first wanted to fire him.

However, Diane said, “You’re being too hard on him. As long as he gets the job done, that’s what matters.”

I figured she had a point. I was always busy with work and barely spent any time at home anyway, so I let it slide.

However, he had dragged Christopher into his mess. That was where I drew the line.

After I ordered him out, Cal angrily threw the stolen necklace onto the floor.

“Fine! I’ll go! There are plenty of families out there who would kill to have me. I don’t need this job!”

He slammed the door behind him.

Even though I got the necklace back, I was still furious.

Diane spent a long time calming me down and telling me not to waste my anger on someone like him.

Work soon got busy again. Before long, I put the whole thing out of my mind.

Thanksgiving came around before long.

Christopher was coming home for the holiday.

I cleared my schedule and stayed home. When I saw someone bustling around the house, I was just about to give a few instructions.

At that moment, I realized the person was Cal, whom I had fired several days ago.

I stared at him in confusion.

“What are you doing here?”

Cal, however, acted as if he were being magnanimous. He ignored my question entirely and rambled on his own.

“I went home and told Becky what happened. Becky said we’re all family, so she wouldn’t hold it against you. She’s willing to forgive you. She even told me to be the bigger person. So, I’ve decided to forgive your rudeness from the other day too. I’ll continue helping around the house, but from now on, you’re not to insult my wonderful daughter again.”