“Oh, it’s nothing too crazy. Just seven million.”
Her smile was radiant.
Trey’s face went rigid. He didn’t want to seem stingy, but the number was a punch to the gut. Still, with the company’s public offering looming, he couldn’t afford to upset her now.
“Alright. If you love it that much, it’s yours.”
Right then and there, he called the finance department and authorized the transfer while she watched.
That same night, seven million dollars landed in Khloe’s personal account. The memo line was meticulously noted: For Khloe’s birthday villa.
Her bank balance skyrocketed from a meager 15,000 dollars-money she had painstakingly saved from part-time jobs and scholarships-to a staggering 7,015,000 dollars.
For the entire two years of their so-called marriage, she had managed the household budget without ever taking a salary for herself, having handed over all financial control to him the day they “married.”
The next morning, Khloe walked into the dining room and froze.
Trey was wearing an apron, chatting and laughing with Angela as he cooked breakfast. Pete followed them like a happy little shadow, obedient in a way Khloe had never seen.
The picture of a harmonious family shattered the moment Khloe entered.
Angela’s hand slipped off Trey’s shoulder at once. He hurried toward Khloe.
“You’re awake! I made breakfast. Come, you have to try it.”
Her eyes scanned the dining table-it was laden with an elaborate spread. On a normal day, the housekeeper prepared their meals, and Trey never set foot in the kitchen. Their usual breakfasts were simple. This feast had undoubtedly been orchestrated for Angela.
A faint, knowing smile touched Khloe’s lips. “Are these all your favorites, Ms. Thompson?”
“Yes. Trey was so thoughtful,” Angela replied, her voice sweet. “He was worried I wouldn’t be used to the food here. A man who’s this considerate is a rare find. You’re a very lucky woman, Khloe.”
A subtle, superior gleam flashed in Angela’s eyes as they met Khloe’s.
“Oh, I know,” Khloe agreed smoothly. “Trey has always been incredibly considerate. Not just to me, but he’s so charming and attentive to all women.”
Trey flushed. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not like that.”
Her tone was light and playful, but it was enough to make Angela’s smile tighten.
Sensing the shift, Pete lashed out. As Khloe reached for the last fried egg, he deliberately splattered dark soy sauce all over it-the liquid splashing onto her hand.
“Pete! What is wrong with you?!” Trey snapped.
Angela quickly handed Khloe a napkin, then bent down to speak to the boy in a gently chiding tone.
“Pete, even if you’re full, that’s no way to behave. And you’ve made a mess of your mother’s hand. You need to apologize.”
Pete shot a defiant look at Khloe before mumbling a sullen, “Sorry.”
After wiping her hand, Khloe studied the scene. The boy’s chin was still held high in defiance, and Angela had masterfully downplayed his aggression as simple misbehavior.
“Alright, you’re finished eating. Why don’t you go play in your room?” Angela said, smoothly trying to end the confrontation before Khloe could respond.
“Wait.”
In one fluid motion, Khloe stood, grabbed Pete by the arm, and pulled him against the wall. “Don’t move.”
“Let go of me, you witch!”
He kicked and struggled, but she twisted his arms behind his back, holding him firmly in place. Then, she plucked a slender, flexible switch from a decorative vase and brought it down sharply on the back of his legs.
“WAAAH-!” Pete howled, tears immediately springing to his eyes.
“Khloe! What are you doing?!” Angela cried, rushing forward. “He already apologized! Is this really necessary?”
“Ms. Thompson, Pete is my son,” Khloe stated, her voice like ice. “It is a mother’s duty to discipline her child. Why are you so desperate to interfere? One might almost think… he was yours.”
Her strikes did not let up. The switch landed several more stinging blows.
Angela’s face went pale, her nails digging into her own palms. “I… I just meant he’s still so young. It wasn’t that big of a mistake…”
“A small mistake, left unchecked, becomes a major flaw. I’m not well-versed in your gentle parenting methods. If I don’t teach him respect now, he will be uncontrollable later.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.