Chapter 2

I almost laughed out loud at the scene before me. I smiled and said, "Wanda, you've been with the Grant family for decades. How are you still confused over who the real masters of this house are?"

Eric's face instantly flushed. He looked pitifully over at Stella, but she was also stunned, probably not used to seeing Mason and me like this.

Tanya rushed out of the car. The moment she saw Eric sprawled on the floor, she hurried over to help him up. Then, she pointed straight at Mason and snapped, "How long are you going to keep this up, Mason? All I did was have Eric stay here for a while!"

A flicker of emotion flashed across Eric's face. He lifted his head and glanced between Mason and me, looking torn. His voice shook a little as he said, "Stella, Tanya, maybe I shouldn't intrude on your lives."

He turned as if to leave, but Stella easily grabbed his hand and stopped him. Then, she snatched up his suitcase and strode toward me, dropping it heavily right in front of me. She commanded, "Seth, take Eric's luggage up to his room."

Only then did I look up at her, sneering. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Mind saying it again?"

As soon as I finished, I tilted my wrist and dumped the entire cup of coffee all over the suitcase.

Stella's expression darkened on the spot. Anger flashed across her face. "It's Eric's first day back. Don't you think you're going too far? I'm only making you help Eric with his luggage because it's the least you should do. Don't think you really are the master of this house just because you helped Grant Group out of a few crises!"

I was so annoyed that I actually wanted to laugh. Outside the book, if someone tried to walk all over me, I would fight back. So why would I suffer in silence here? I didn't even belong to this world. Maybe I would get sent back if I acted crazy and went on a rampage.

I pulled myself out of that thought, stood up, and kicked the suitcase over. Without the slightest courtesy, I shot back, "I didn't even complain about you bringing your little lover into the house and letting him act like he owns the place, and you've got a problem with me?

"I bailed Grant Group out, and you married me. What, wasn't that the deal you proposed? And now, you're acting all high and mighty? I honestly can't understand why I ever agreed to marry into your family. If anyone should feel wronged here, it's me. How dare you throw a fit!"

Off to the side, Mason couldn't help but let out a laugh. He glanced at Tanya, whose expression was steely, and asked, "Honey, aren't you gonna say anything?"

Then, he leaned in toward me and muttered, "I want to roast her, too, but I haven't gotten the chance. It's killing me."

Stella clearly hadn't expected me to talk back like that. For a moment, she froze, completely at a loss for words.

Eric quickly stepped in, pulling her slightly behind him. Playing up that fragile, helpless act, he slid an arm around her waist and said softly, "Forget it, Stella. They say Mr. Talbot has a bit of a temper… I'll just deal with the luggage myself. Don't get into a fight over this."

I took the hint, sat back down, and casually gave the suitcase another kick. "Good that you get it."

"You!" Stella's fists clenched as she trembled with rage. She spun around and snapped at Wanda, "Cancel tonight's dinner party!"

Eric looked at me with an innocent expression. "You know, Stella was fussing over your birthday celebration the whole ride here. Why do you have to be like this?"

Birthday celebration? That was when it hit me that in the book, it was my birthday that day.

Off to the side, Mason muttered, "Damn. You're instantly a year older after showing up in this world?"

When I didn't react, Stella's tone grew even colder. "A man like him isn't worth me throwing any kind of birthday party for."

Not that it mattered to me.

But that evening, Wanda still came to get me. "Mr. Seth, the celebration has already been prepared. Ms. Stella wants to know when you'll be coming down."

Mason leaned against the doorframe in a perfectly tailored suit, a lazy smile on his lips. "You have no idea what Eric looks like right now. He's dressed like he's a groom."

The moment I turned around, he froze. "Damn. I thought you didn't care. Why are you in a custom suit, too?"

Please. When affluent families threw parties like this, they were scheduled and announced days in advance. As if Stella could just cancel it on a whim.

A few minutes later, Mason and I headed downstairs one after another.

Stella's expression was icy when she looked over. Tanya was seated beside her, complaining, "Why do we all have to wait just to start a simple—"

She cut herself off mid-sentence when her gaze landed on Mason.

To be fair, he really was the type of guy talent agents loved handing business cards to. In my opinion, he was way more handsome than Eric.

Just as Tanya reached out and tried to grab his arm, he turned his body sharply to the side to dodge her. "Whoa, you scared me."

Jokes were jokes, but I still couldn't let Eric steal the spotlight meant for the male lead. As I approached the table, I saw him in a pristine white suit, sitting in the seat that was supposed to be mine.