Chapter 3

"You!"

Polly probably didn't expect me to put up a fight with her in public, and her face darkened instantly.

Kerry began wiping her tears away again.

"It's all my fault, Mrs. Cooper. Since Violet doesn't like me, I think I should just leave… I don't want to affect your family's relationship…"

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Polly exclaimed, stopping her at once. She then glared fiercely at me and began speaking in a steely, emotionless tone.

"How about this? If you really cannot accept the fact that Kerry and I will be living together under one roof, because it's an eyesore for you, then how about buying a whole other penthouse unit for her instead?

"Just buy the unit next to mine! This way, she'll be even more at ease on her own, and I will be able to keep my place cleaner and quieter without her."

Everyone was shocked at Polly's words.

Even Ralph was shocked as well. He stared at us incredulously.

Was buying a single penthouse condo unit worth eight million dollars not enough for this family? Were they going to buy a second one too?

However, Mitchell's eyes lit up at once. He slapped himself on the thigh and exclaimed excitedly, "That's such a brilliant idea, Mom! That's right! You're filthy rich anyway, aren't you, Violet? It's just another penthouse!

"This is a problem that can easily be solved with money. It's not even a problem anymore! Let's just go with that!"

He looked at me so matter-of-factly and with so much pride. He acted as if he hadn't just told me to spend another eight million dollars on another condo, but rather, a can of beer or something of similar value from the convenience store nearby.

Kerry also stopped crying when she heard that. She looked at me with her tear-streaked face, seeming rather timid as she asked, "Is that possible, Violet? Would it be too much of a hassle for you?"

I looked at the trio working seamlessly together and acting in perfect harmony with each other to scam me out of my money and realized just how absurd it all was.

I didn't answer her question at once. Instead, I turned to Polly and slowly posed a question to her.

"Your suggestion is feasible, Mrs. Cooper. However, there's something I would like to confirm with you.

"I have given a lot to the Cooper family. In return, what can your son do for our future family or for me? What support can he give me?"

Everyone's eyes were on Mitchell at once.

Mitchell obviously didn't expect me to suddenly ask that question. He was stunned for a bit. Then, he puffed out his chest and said in a condescending tone, "Marrying you is the greatest support I can give you. Is that not so?

"Don't you know how many women are waiting to marry me? And yet, I never agreed to marry any of them. I chose you. That's my promise to you."

He spoke with an air of righteous indignation, as if his choosing to marry me was a blessing I had probably accumulated over several lifetimes, if reincarnation even existed in the first place.

Polly also chimed in after that. Her tone was filled with contempt and disdain as she said, "Support? You are a woman! How dare you still demand a man to support you?"

She laughed coldly and raised her voice by an octave. "The men of the Cooper family are the pain pillars of the family! They should be treated like gods! And women should be good and stay at home as housewives. They should take care of the house and provide their husbands with all the support they can give!

"Not only to him, but also to his parents, her in-laws! She is to serve them for the rest of her life! That is your duty as a wife after marrying into this family!"

She then glanced around her like she was conducting a family meeting.

"Don't you know how tired men get when they work so hard and build their careers outside the home? When they come home, you should be the one soothing their minds and helping them relax!

"If he's tired, then you must understand him! If he's annoyed, then you must comfort him! Even if…"

She purposely paused for a bit, and her gaze deliberately swept over Kerry beside her. Then she continued to speak and made every word as clear as day. "Even if he occasionally flirts around outside his marriage and makes small mistakes, you must be more tolerant and understanding of him!

"After all, men have social obligations, and there are times when they simply can't help themselves. This is what it means to be a member of the Cooper family! It's the truth that we all live by!"

As soon as she was done speaking, Julius was the first one to clap and cheer in agreement.

"That's right! You're such an insightful person, Polly! The Cooper family will surely achieve great things with such a truth!"

"Exactly! Our ancestors have always lived by the motto, 'good wife, good life', in the sense that by marrying a virtuous wife, they will enrich the family and bring blessings to them for the next generation to come! The Coopers' fortune is truly enviable!" Sandy said, sucking up to Polly.

Polly beamed with pride at their praises and felt like she was floating.

She grew increasingly smug. She suddenly grabbed my hand and started boasting to everyone. "And what's more, Violet is so sensible. She said that she would pay for every single wedding expense. She said that she didn't need us to pay a single cent!

"Tell me, where else could Mitchell go to look for a wife as good and sensible as her?"

"What? She's going to pay for the wedding herself?"

"Oh my god! Mitchell is so blessed to be marrying Violet!"

I pulled my hands away from Polly's tight grip.

"You're all too kind, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Cooper, and Ms. Cooper. All your praise for me has thoroughly warmed my heart. And now, I feel like it's not enough for me to only be buying a place for just Mrs. Cooper and Kerry alone."

I looked around at everyone, who instantly fell silent at my words.

"Since we'll be family from now on, let's make sure everyone gets their share of things.

"How about this?"

I clapped my hands, emphasizing my following words.

"I, Violet Winters, will buy a condo unit for everyone present here today!"