Chapter 4


    While Leanne was tucking into her meatloaf and mashed potatoes, her phone buzzed with a call from


    Jennifer, Curtis’ mother, asking her toe home today.


    She agreed, ended the call, and looked down at her half-finished te, suddenly losing her appetite.-


    After clocking out from work in the afternoon, her driver, Jake, picked her up, and she settled into the


    car’s backseat.


    The retro garden that surrounded the family estate, with its sprawlingwns and century-old oak trees,


    was a ce Leanne knew well. She had grown up there.


    After her parents’ tragic ident, she spent a few years bouncing around foster homes before being


    taken in by the Richardson family. But it was more like sponsorship than adoption.


    If Stonebridge society was a pyramid, the Richardson family sat at the top, a stratum. untouched by the


    common folk.


    For an orphan like Leanne, being taken in by the Richardson family was like hitting the jackpot. She


    even married Curtis, which secured her ce in the family registry.


    Sitting in the living room, Leanne waited until Jennifer descended the staircase, dressed in an elegantly


    tailored dress.


    “I heard you sent Laura away?” asked Jennifer.


    Leanne wasn’t surprised she knew. “Did shee crying to you?”


    After marrvi


    marrying Curtis, the Richardson family sent Laura to be Leanne’s housekeeper. Laura was efficient and


    meticulous.


    With Curtis away on business most of the year, it was just Leanne and Laura, so she treated Laura


    kindly, sharing gourmet food and giving bonuses during holidays.


    Laura’s job was easy. Leanne was busy with work and rarely fussed over the small stuff.


    One day, needing a document for the hospital and unable to find Laura or reach her by phone, Leanne


    tracked her down at a garden.


    Laura’s friends teased, “Aren’t you afraid Mrs. Richardson will scold you for beingte?”


    Immersed in her her sunbathing, Laura had no intention of leaving.


    “She’s too busy with work toe home now,” she replied, “Besides, my paycheckes from the


    Richardson family, not her. What can she do to me if she finds out?”


    “But she’s Mrs. Richardson. A little pillow talk and she could have you sacked.”


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    11:13


    Chapter 4


    “Please.” Laura scoffed, “Mr. Curtis hardlyes home once a year. She has no pillow talk to offer.”


    One of the women gossiped, “So their marriage is on the rocks?”


    “They’d just started their life together when he bolted to Embend, chasing some sweetheart from his


    past. To him, she was just a convenient wife, more of a pain than a partner.”


    “So, a woman needs to have some tricks up her sleeve. Beauty alone won’t keep a man.”


    Everyone loved a juicy bit of gossip, but Leanne never expected to hear such piercing words from


    Laura, whom she had treated so well.


    Caught off guard, Laura nearly had a fall when she saw Leanne standing there, and she fumbled


    through an apology.


    Leanne didn’t react much but told Laura to retrieve the misced document. That evening, she had


    Laura dismissed.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Jennifer sat down, saying, “Laura gossiped behind your back. It’s petty but hardly serious matter. You


    are, after all, Curtis’ wife, the daughter-inw from the Richardson family. People would belittle you if


    you can’t handle a housekeeper.”


    Leanne forced a smile.


    Whatever Laura had exaggerated to Jennifer, it didn’t matter. Jennifer had always found fault with


    Leanne, which hadn’t changed over the years..


    Leanne had long stopped exining herself. It only served to humiliate her further..


    “And now, with Curtis back, you can’t cook or manage the house. Do you expect him to wait on you?”


    Leanne thought he had indeed waited on her, but she wouldn’t dare say that in front of


    Jennifer.


    11:13