All Chapters of The Invoice Before the Vows: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I smiled faintly and asked Samantha Sterling, "Since you think everything is so unfair, why don't we switch everything? What do you say?"A flash of delight crossed her face, clearly not expecting me to be so agreeable. "Fine. We'll switch."She lifted her chin with smug pride. "I'm not taking advantage of you. As the eldest, we're the ones who've always been at a loss!"My future mother-in-law, Cami Ulrich, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. Beaming at me, she said, "Lyndis is so sensible. James has such good taste—he married such a wonderful wife!"James looked at me with open pride, his eyes practically declaring that I was the best woman in the world.I stepped over to James's older brother, slipped my arm through his, and leaned my head lightly against his shoulder."In that case," I said sweetly, "from now on, I'll switch husbands with Samantha. I'll live with Nick, and she can be with James."James's expression changed instantly. He yanked me back, his voic

Cami jumped in, clearly eager to stay on Samantha's good side. "Samantha, I've always known you're the better daughter-in-law. I'll be counting on you going forward. Lyndis is a pampered young lady. Just taking care of her own parents someday will be more than enough of a burden for her. How could I ever rely on her?"Samantha let out a cold snort. "Mom, you can't play favorites. If Lyndis won't put in the effort, then she should at least contribute money.""Yes, yes, of course," Cami agreed immediately. "I'll definitely make her pay. You gave me my eldest grandson—you're the greatest contributor in my eyes. Don't worry, I'm on your side."At that moment, I no longer felt like leaving. They wanted to take advantage of me? What a ridiculous daydream.When I stepped inside, James was right there. Which meant he had heard every word his mother and sister-in-law said about me—and yet he stood there like a bystander, silently enjoying the spectacle.Samantha glanced up at me without th

Samantha hurled my phone to the ground. The screen shattered on impact, going black instantly.She let out a breath of relief, then, flushed with anger and embarrassment, jabbed a finger at my nose, spittle flying. "Lyndis, you're truly vicious—tricking us into coming here to eat and then refusing to pay. What are you playing at?"Cami grew even more agitated, crying louder. "I've lived to this age and never been so humiliated. You've only just entered our family, and you're already humiliating us like this!"Nick's face darkened as he pushed the responsibility onto James. "James, she is your woman. Are you going to control her or not? Are you just going to let her keep making a scene?"He emphasized each word deliberately. "You can't manage a woman with just words."The implication was clear—he wanted James to hit me.I stepped forward, standing directly in front of Nick, my gaze sharp. "Are you telling your brother to hit me? Do you not realize that inciting someone to intentio

James frowned, suspicion clouding his eyes as he looked at me."Because," I said lightly, "your mother is counting on you to carry on both family lines.""Bullshit! Lyndis, say another word of that crap, and I'll rip your mouth to shreds."Samantha shoved my shoulder viciously. I swung back without hesitation and slapped her across the face."I'll rip yours to shreds."I didn't hold back. The force of the slap left five clear finger marks on her cheek and knocked her straight to the ground.Cami panicked, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Lyndis, I know you don't like me, but you can't just say things like that!"Not only were they shameless, but their denials were just as stubborn. Unhurried, I took a voice recorder out of my bag."I'm not like you—running my mouth without evidence. I don't speak without proof."I turned to Nick. "You don't know this yet, do you? You're terminally ill with cancer. And your mother and your wife have no intention of treating you.""They think

Nick broke down, sobbing as he looked at me with gratitude. "Lyndis, you're a good person. Our whole family was deceived by that vile woman, Samantha."Please, help me one last time. I want to live—I want to live properly. I'm begging you!"With a thud, Cami suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me."Lyndis, all of this—every bit of it—is Samantha's fault. I'll drive her out of this house! I'm begging you, help our family. As long as you can save Nick, I'll do anything you ask."James also pleaded, "Lyndis, for the sake of everything we've been through all these years, can you give me one last chance?"His eyes reddened, tears spilling down his face. He looked pitiful.But my heart didn't waver in the slightest. I coldly pushed away the hand he tried to wrap around me."A family like yours—rotten to the core and full of schemes—I will never look back. Give up on that idea. Seeing your family brought to this disgrace only amuses me."The commotion grew so large that the hote