Chapter 2

"Wow! This condo layout is really nice!" Kerry said, looking around before suddenly frowning. "However, I think the orientation of this unit will make it a little too sunny in here. The afternoon sun will shine in a little too much, and that's bad for the skin."

Then, she turned to me and spoke in a professional tone, "You might not know this, Violet, but the vibes and orientation of the condo unit are very important when choosing a place to stay.

"As women, we should always take care of ourselves. We can't let our skin be exposed to the sun every day like that."

Before I could say anything, Mitchell chimed in and said, "You're right, Kerry. You've got a very good point!

"Mr. Hughes, are there any other penthouses in this building? I want one facing the south, and the vibes need to be just right!"

Ralph immediately began enthusiastically introducing the other penthouses to him.

I watched their exchanges as they went back and forth with each other, feeling a wave of nausea and disgust pooling in my stomach.

I'd felt this nausea and disgust far too many times over the years. However, it felt particularly intense today.

Kerry seemed oblivious to my increasingly cold expression. She just walked around the room excitedly with great interest, looking around and touching every surface she could.

She walked to the second bedroom, peeked in through the door, and said earnestly to Mitchell, "Mitchie, I think that this room could be converted into my studio!

"We just need to paint the walls blue so that it'll help with concentration. And then, we can knock down one of the walls and create a floor-to-ceiling window for better lighting. That way, it'll give me a wider view when I do my livestreams or work from home."

She gestured eagerly with her hands as she spoke, acting as though the penthouse was already her home.

I tried holding back, but I couldn't anymore.

"Ms. Harrison, if I'm not mistaken, this is a penthouse that I am buying for my future mother-in-law."

Everyone's eyes were on me at once.

I looked at Kerry's shocked expression and curled my lips into a mocking grin. "So, why are you planning to put your own studio here? Don't you think that you're being a little too imaginative now?"

Everyone froze, and the tension in the air thickened.

Kerry's eyes visibly reddened at that.

"Violet… I-I didn't mean it that way…"

She began to choke on her sobs. "I just… I just wanted to help Mrs. Cooper design the place to make it look nicer… I…"

Before she could finish, she turned to Mitchell and buried her face into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mitchie… Did I say something wrong? I grew up with you for years, and I've been treating your mom as my mom all this time… I just wanted to do something for your family… But Violet… Violet, she… How could Violet think of me like that…"

Mitchell immediately hugged her tightly and patted her on the back soothingly. He shot me an accusatory glare.

"Violet Winters! That's enough! Don't you know that Kerry was just doing it for our benefit? She just wanted to help! How could you assume such a malicious thing about her!"

His relatives also surged forward, verbally attacking me in every way.

"That's right, Violet. Aren't you being a little too petty?"

"Kerry practically grew up wearing the same clothes as Mitchell! She's like family to us. Why are you drawing the line so clearly with her?"

"You should learn to be more generous. We're all going to be family next time. Don't let something like this spoil our family harmony!"

I looked at the group of people who seemingly stood on the moral high ground while accusing me of being petty and malicious. Yet, the main culprit and instigator was still hiding in her "brother's" arms. She cast a smug, defiant look at me.

I inhaled deeply, ready to tear them all a new one.

Just then, a loud, stern voice rang out from behind them.

"Alright, that's enough! Stop arguing with each other!"

Polly slowly walked toward us.

She first patted Kerry on the head tenderly before turning around to glare at me. Her gaze was filled with scrutiny.

"Everything Kerry says is exactly as I want things to be.

"I watched her grow up, and she's akin to my own daughter at this point. Mitchell has also always treated her as his own younger sister.

"Since you're going to marry into the Cooper family very soon, Violet, that means Kerry will be your sister-in-law.

"And it's only natural for you to reserve a room in this space for your future sister-in-law. What's the problem with that?"

I was so amused by her twisted logic that I nearly laughed out loud.

"I have not married into the Cooper family yet, Mrs. Cooper," I said, stressing the way I addressed her. "And even if I have, Kerry is only Mitchell's friend, and nothing more. She is not related to your family in any way.

"So, what do you mean that she's going to be my 'sister-in-law'? Where did that title come from?"