Chapter 4

Tom immediately slammed his cup down heavily and said, "I gave her permission. What's the problem?"

Jane stared at him, anger simmering. "Without my permission, what right does she have to enter my room and touch my things?"

"Jane, this is the Howard family's residence. Hailey is my fiancee. She can enter any room in the Howard family's residence as she pleases."

Jane felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her.

Hailey softly "scolded" him, her voice gentle. "Tom, how could you talk to Jane like that? You'll make her sad."

Then she turned to Jane and explained, "Jane, the household staff told me that Tom's clothes and shoes had always been stored in your room. You've got so many clothes, and he was taking up half your closet, leaving no space for you. So I took the initiative to move all his clothes to our bedroom."

Jane recalled how clingy Tom used to be with her.

Because of him, she had never even received a love letter in her entire life. He had scared off any potential admirers.

Later, he had even moved his clothes into her bedroom, claiming it was so she could choose his outfits and ties every morning.

She knew his wardrobe better than he did.

Jane quickly ran upstairs and dashed into her room.

The chaos inside made her think her room had been ransacked by burglars.

Her clothes, shoes, and makeup were strewn everywhere, the mess overwhelming.

Pointing at the disaster, she angrily questioned Hailey, "Is this how you 'move clothes'?"

Hailey's eyes turned red, and she stammered, "I'm sorry, Jane, it was an accident..."

"An accident that left my room looking like a mess? Your accidents are truly extraordinary!"

Tom frowned and reprimanded her. "Jane, watch your tone!"

Jane let out a bitter laugh. "So, even when I've done nothing wrong, it's still my fault, isn't it?"

"Hailey is your future sister-in-law. You should respect her."

"Tom, why don't you come and see for yourself?"

Tom walked upstairs, and for a brief moment, his expression froze when he saw the mess.

But only for a moment.

The next second, he looked at Hailey with a fond smile and chuckled. "Let's leave the cleaning to the servants from now on."

"But I don't want anyone else touching my clothes, especially... my nightgowns."

She emphasized the word "nightgowns," her cheeks flushing a deep red.

Tom nodded helplessly. "Alright, I'll handle it from now on. You can just sit back and relax, okay?"

Hailey playfully stuck out her tongue. "Tom, am I a bit silly?"

"It's fine. With me here, you can be as silly as you want."

Jane closed her eyes, overwhelmed by disgust.

She had never hated the notion of a resignation notice period more.

If it weren't for it, she would already be on the other side of the ocean, free from this nauseating scene.

"Jane, tell me how much Hailey damaged—clothes, equipment, everything. I'll compensate you."

Jane couldn't help but laugh.

Tom was going to solve the problem by paying her money?

He was using such a solution on Jane?

Hailey even nudged her arm and whispered, "Jane, you can ask for more. He’ll pay you whatever the amount you come up with because I was the one who caused the mess."

Tom looked at Hailey indulgently. "Are you siding with an ousider to rip your husband off?"

Hailey made a silly face. "Well, I'll soon be Jane's sister-in-law. Since I’m older, then I’ll have to take care of her!"

Jane sneered. ‘Siding with outsiders? I’m the outsider now?’

Yes, they were the closest pair now.

She, an adopted daughter of the Howard family, was indeed nothing more than an outsider.

Her phone suddenly rang.

It was Mr. Westwood.

Forcing herself to calm down, she answered, "Mr. Westwood?"

Mr. Westwood's voice came through the line. "Jane, I remember that your bird photography project was exceptional. The magazine's editor-in-chief wants to see the original negatives. Can you send them over?"

"Of course, Mr. Westwood. Just give me a moment."

Jane returned to her room.

She habitually stored her negatives in a locked drawer.

When she reached for the key, she realized the cabinet was wet.

"Jane, I'm so sorry," Hailey chimed in from behind her. "I accidentally spilled coffee earlier. I didn't want to stain your cabinet, so I cleaned it with water..."

The more Jane listened, the colder her heart grew.

Ignoring Hailey, she quickly unlocked the drawer.

When she pulled it open, her heart sank completely.

Rows upon rows of negatives were soaked.

Some had already unraveled, others were discolored, and many were tangled together. The water had turned brown from the damage.

These were three years' worth of photography work—all destroyed.

Jane trembled with anger, unable to speak.

At some point, Tom had entered the room. When he saw the state of the drawer, he said indifferently, "Calculate the cost of these negatives. I'll pay for them as well for Hailey."

Jane finally exploded. "Can she even afford it? She might not have any idea what these negatives mean to me but do you not know either?"

Tom frowned slightly. "The negatives are ruined now. Losing your temper won't change that. Hailey only wanted to help me organize my clothes. Spilling the coffee was just an accident."

"An accident? So an accident just wipes everything clean? If you accidentally kill someone while driving, is a simple apology enough to settle it?"

"Jane!" Tom's tone turned harsh. "Don't be unreasonable. Negatives and human lives aren't the same! If the photos are gone, just take more. It's not that serious."

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Westwood, concerned by the raised voices, asked, "Jane, is everything okay at home?"

Jane took a deep breath and replied, "Mr. Westwood, I'm afraid I can't provide the negatives for now. I'll find time to retake the photos and send them to you."

"That's fine. Don't rush. The visa process will take at least 2 weeks anyway."

"Alright."

Tom, catching the word "visa," asked sharply, "Visa? Are you going abroad?"