Chapter 3

That night, I didn’t sleep a wink.

The next day, I contacted my friend who does security systems.

While Olivia was out buying groceries, I seized the chance to have hidden cameras installed in every nook and cranny at home.

After all was done, I packed my bags and told Olivia with feigned helplessness, “Mom, something cropped up with my project. I have to go back to work tomorrow.”

“Natalie was just discharged, and you’re leaving?” she asked.

I bowed my head, looking guilty. “I have no choice. This project concerns the company’s development over the next three years. I’ll have to rely on you to take care of the home.”

Olivia sighed. “Go ahead and don’t worry about us. Natalie is my darling granddaughter. I wouldn’t mistreat her, would I?”

That afternoon, Olivia sent me to the airport in person.

While I put on my shoes at the door, my daughter stood right next to me with her head bowed. Her hands grabbed the hem of my shirt tightly.

I crouched down and hugged her tight, whispering into her ear, “I’m not abandoning you. I’ll be back real soon.”

She finally looked up, with a light in her eyes that had been gone for a long time.

After entering the gates, I deliberately took a picture of myself in the lounge and posted it on my social media with the caption: [A fresh start.]

However, I didn’t board the plane. I took the exit through the side gate and stayed at a friend’s apartment. I had everything settled regarding my overseas project and had my assistant clock in at work on my behalf.

At two in the afternoon, I navigated to the surveillance software in my phone and saw Olivia at a call in the living room.

“She left. She really left. I saw her go through security checks with my own eyes. Pack your things and come over.”

Half an hour later, the door to our villa opened.

A woman decked in branded clothes and accessories walked in with a boy who looked about seven to eight years old.

I recognized her. She was Tina Sherwood, a marketing manager in Caleb’s company. Over the years, I often see her in photos taken at team bonding activities held by the company.

Caleb mentioned that she was rather capable but divorced. It wasn’t easy for her to be a single mom taking care of a child, which was why he would show her more concern.

But now, Tina was pulling out a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet as though she had done it millions of times.

The boy rushed into the living room, throwing his bag on the couch. “Grandma, I’m hungry!”

“I bought you some lobster and your favorite wagyu,” Olivia said, her eyes twinkling.

Natalie heard the commotion and walked out of her room.

When she neared the living room, the smile on Olivia’s face faded. “Who called you out of your room?”

Natalie stopped in her tracks, looking hesitant and fearful.

At the sight of my daughter behaving as though she were an outsider in her own home, my throat constricted.

“What are you doing just standing there? Can’t you see? Hurry up and bring your brother’s bag in!” yelled Olivia.

Zephan Johnson lifted a leg and kicked his bag toward Natalie. “Hurry up, loser!”

As Natalie bent over and picked it up, Zephan suddenly shoved her. Her back hit the wall so hard her face paled from the pain.

Olivia stood right by her side. Instead of stopping Zephan, she pinched Natalie’s ear.

“You can’t even pick up a bag properly. What’s the use of having you around? I get so annoyed looking at you, a useless good-for-nothing. No bun for you today. Go lock yourself up in the utility room!”

Natalie seemed to have gotten used to such treatment and quietly headed upstairs.

Tina sat on the couch, helping herself to some fruits as she said irritably, “Mom, didn’t you say that you’d send her to boarding school? She’s at home everyday, it’s irksome.”

Olivia poured her a cup of tea.

“Don’t be anxious. Caleb said that once Wanda Mason clinches the overseas project and gets her hand on the next round of financing, he’ll find a way to make her sign the Power of Attorney. We’ve got to keep the child around for now.”

“I just think it’s unfair for Zephan,” Tina said with a scoff. “He’s the grandson of the Jackson family, but he can’t see the light of day.”

“Don’t you worry. Once Caleb gets his hand on the company, he’ll divorce Wanda,” Olivia coaxed. “When that happens, both this villa and her money will be yours and Zephan’s.”