At that, I smelled something fishy. How could people who don’t like to gossip ever exist in this world? But I felt even weirder when I realized that the three ladies who gossiped about me yesterday had gone missing. After handling some paperwork, I could not help but ask a colleague beside me about their whereabouts.
The colleague shrugged. “They made a big mistake in the reports yesterday, so they were fired.”
Upon hearing that, my instincts told me that they were fired because they gossiped about me yesterday. But, this is not my company. Why do I have such special treatment?
However, it was merely a passing thought. Anyway, it was a good thing for me. I was just an ordinary person. Even if people discovered my identity, no one would pay attention to a haggard wife. They might as well pay attention to a pretty lady like Crystal.
Everything in the office progressed smoothly that day. After work, I took a cab to the Smith residence. Since the news on the Internet had gone viral, I thought Sharon must have known everything. Now that things had come to this, I guessed she wouldn’t insist on asking me to get along with Lyle anymore.
I knew Sharon was kind to me. She didn’t disdain me and even asked the man whom I’ve had a secret crush on to marry me. However, this man didn’t love me nor care about me at all, so I thought it was time to end our marriage.
“Mrs. Smith, Old Mrs. Smith was just talking about you,” said Josephine enthusiastically as she opened the door for me.
“I miss Grandma too. Oh, I brought her a box of tea. It can help to reduce blood pressure. Remind her to drink it every day. Here you go. Brew a pot of tea for her.”
With that, I passed the tea to Josephine. When I passed by the yard, I saw Lyle’s Porsche was parked under the tree. I frowned as I queried, “He’s back?”
“Yes. Mr. Smith is here to visit Old Mrs. Smith today, and it just so happens that you’re here too. Old Mrs. Smith will definitely beam in delight later,” said Josephine with a smile.
I hesitated for a little upon hearing that but eventually decided to enter the house. Since I was already here, how could I leave without seeing Sharon? Anyway, it might not be a bad thing that Lyle was here. I could take the opportunity to let Sharon know about my relationship with him so that she wouldn’t force us to continue our marriage.
This marriage must end! I didn’t mind if Lyle loved Crystal or anyone else—it’s none of my business.
Soon, I reached the garden. When I was about to knock on the door, an argument was heard in the room.
“Grandma, why do you dislike Crystal? She is a talented and knowledgeable lady, fitting the profile for the daughter-in-law of our family. As compared to Yvonne, she is much better. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t part with her for two years and couldn’t be together until today.”
“Then tell me what’s bad about Eve. She is loyal to you and always takes good care of you. Does she ever give you problems after she married you? When I was sick, it was Eve who stayed up all night to take care of me, and you were messing around with other women at that time!”
At that, Sharon glared at Lyle with disappointment and barked, “You little rascal! Even my granddaughter-in-law treats me better than you!”
“Grandma, I know you like Yvonne. But why should I sacrifice my happiness? Back then, if you didn’t change the painter’s name of Autumnal Panorama from Yvonne to Crystal and forced Crystal to make the decision, she wouldn’t go to Anglandur.”
Hearing that, my eyes opened wide. What did I just listen to? My application to St. John’s University was successful, but Sharon changed my painting to Crystal’s name? So this is the truth?
At that moment, I thought there couldn’t be anything worse than that. However, I did not expect that something more tragic was awaiting me.
Sharon picked up a teacup and smashed it on Lyle’s head as she roared, “As you said, she left you for the sake of her future. If she didn’t want to go, am I even able to force her?”
“You persuaded her to write her name on Yvonne’s painting and recorded a video as evidence. Then, you said you would post it online to tell everyone that she impersonated Yvonne if she didn’t agree to your request and leave Avenport. You’re the one who set Crystal up!”
