Chapter 3: Pajamas

Rupert Washington introduced the nature of his work and all his colleagues to Elizabeth Black, even going so far as to proudly pinch her nose. "After that project abroad succeeds this year, your husband will have made a name for himself. You can be a bit more extravagant when shopping in the future."

At this moment, Elizabeth Black had no interest in shopping at all. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?" she asked.

"If you really want to know, I'll take you to visit the design institute next time," Rupert Washington said, yawning as he held his soft and fragrant wife. He had been flying all day and was quite tired.

Elizabeth Black's face remained expressionless. "Oh." She had no interest in his design institute.

"Are you upset?" Rupert Washington kissed her eyes and chuckled mischievously. "I'm really tired today. I'll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?"

The two were completely out of sync. Elizabeth Black blushed and pressed his head down. "Go to sleep!"

A low laugh came from beside her, soon turning into steady breathing. But Elizabeth Black couldn't fall asleep. She stared at Rupert Washington, lost in thought.

She remembered how, a year ago, she proposed to him in the fire escape. "Senior, instead of marrying just anyone on the street, why don't you consider me?"

The next morning, Rupert Washington and she got their marriage certificate. This was something she hadn't expected. Even more unexpected was that the day after they got married, Rupert Washington took on a project abroad and left for a year. Their new marriage turned into a long-distance one.

During that time, they met a few times, always with her traveling to see him. Today, his return marked the end of their long-distance marriage, but it also brought a shocking piece of gossip.

Elizabeth Black stared at Rupert Washington's features, the images from today's trending news flashing through her mind. She could even hear the words Rupert Washington had said on the day they got their marriage certificate. "Do you really have nothing to do with Nydia Leighton? You two look so much alike."

A sudden wave of irritation surged within her. Elizabeth Black pulled away Rupert Washington's arm wrapped around her waist and went downstairs for a drink. This was their marital home, a duplex apartment bought by Rupert Washington. Before he left for the project, he had hired a young nanny to cook, clean, and keep her company.

As she descended the stairs, Elizabeth Black heard the nanny on the phone. "Pfft, what's so great about her? She's just a stand-in! If it weren't for her resemblance to Nydia Leighton, would Mr. Ling even want her? Dream on!"

Elizabeth Black, with sharp hearing, stopped in her tracks. "It's fine, it's fine. They're sleeping upstairs, the soundproofing is good, they can't hear us."

"If they did, so what! Do I care? Mr. Ling will get bored of her sooner or later, she won't be here for long!"

"Mr. Ling is so handsome! I've never seen such a good-looking man. Do you think if I got plastic surgery and looked like Nydia Leighton, it would still be worth it?"

...

In the quiet of the night, the nanny's harsh words were clearly audible. Elizabeth Black listened, expressionless. She drank a glass of water, expressionless, and then went back upstairs, expressionless. Just before entering the room, she threw the cup down the stairs.

With a loud crash, even though the carpet muffled it, the noise was still startling. The nanny immediately fell silent and rushed out to check, finding only a cup lying on the carpet.

She closed the window and told the person on the phone, "Oh, it's nothing. It must have been the wind."

...

Rupert Washington, half-asleep, pulled Elizabeth Black into his arms. "What was that noise?" His voice was hoarse, incredibly sexy.

Elizabeth Black's heart didn't race. She stuffed a pillow into his arms. "Nothing, go back to sleep."

The next morning, Rupert Washington left early. Elizabeth Black felt the cold pillow beside her, a familiar feeling. He was always disciplined, waking up at 6:40, exercising at 7:00, and now he was probably already at work. His body was well-maintained, which was why the nanny fantasized about him daily.

Today, Diana Moses wore another eye-catching outfit: a lace dress and black stockings. Her makeup was perfect, and she wore a new lipstick endorsed by Nydia Leighton, making it hard not to notice her.

Elizabeth Black ate her breakfast slowly, observing her for a while. "Are you in a bad mood today?" Elizabeth Black asked.

Diana Moses, despite her beautiful attire, had a downturned mouth and seemed listless, clearly disappointed by something.

"Oh, no!" Diana Moses quickly shook her head.

But Elizabeth Black caught a hint of unease in her. "You have a nice figure," Elizabeth Black said, standing up.

"Thank you, Elizabeth."

Diana Moses wasn't very emotional. She was still thinking about how Rupert Washington walked past her without even glancing at her, despite her attractive appearance. She had everything—legs, chest, everything. How was she inferior to Elizabeth Black?

Last night, she had heard Rupert Washington's suppressed and seductive voice with Elizabeth Black. Why wouldn't he even give her a second glance?

Diana Moses thought about it all morning but couldn't understand. Logically, Elizabeth Black was just a replacement for Nydia Leighton, and her position should be easy to replace. But she found no way to break through.

"Diana Moses."

"Diana Moses?"

Diana Moses snapped out of her thoughts, realizing Elizabeth Black was calling her. "Sorry, Elizabeth, did you need something?"

As a top-notch housekeeper, she maintained her professional demeanor. Elizabeth Black handed her a box. "I have a new set of pajamas, unworn. I think they'd suit you. Thank you for your hard work over the past year. Here, take them."

When Diana Moses heard "pajamas," she instinctively wanted to refuse. Who needed her pajamas? But when she saw the logo on the box, her eyes lit up. She knew the brand; a set of pajamas cost at least a month's salary!

"This is too much, I can't accept it."

Diana Moses protested, but her hands clutched the box tightly, showing no intention of letting go. "Take it."

Before leaving, Elizabeth Black glanced at Diana Moses and told her she would be working late tonight. Diana Moses was thrilled. She had always dreamed of owning pajamas from this brand. Every time she saw advertisements for high-end pajamas, she drooled with envy.

In an instant, she realized the gap between her and Elizabeth Black might just be a set of sexy and luxurious pajamas. Hearing that Elizabeth Black would be working late, Diana Moses was even more excited. As soon as Elizabeth Black left, Diana Moses tried on the pajamas.

The brand lived up to its reputation, highlighting her figure and making her look fair, beautiful, and elegant. She posed in front of the mirror, taking over a hundred selfies and sending her favorite ones to her friend, who was also a housekeeper.

Her friend replied instantly: "Who is this rich lady?"

Diana Moses was delighted, feeling no gratitude towards Elizabeth Black, only disdain. "Elizabeth Black is such an idiot, with no sense of crisis."

"I don't believe that wearing these pajamas, Mr. Ling won't notice me tonight!"

After her friend expressed envy, Diana Moses became even more confident and decided to splurge on a full-body spa. After all, they might be seeing each other in a more intimate setting tonight!