“Joanna, a barren woman like you is just a worthless wife who can’t even fulfill the basic role.”
Vanessa strutted over in her four-inch heels and kicked my shin with the pointed toe. “Don’t you even think the Hamptons are wasting a lot keeping a worthless woman like you?”
“Well, Mrs. Hampton, aren’t you embarrassed occupying the position you don’t deserve?”
“Women like you are just a complete waste of space…”
I fought back my rage and stared directly into Vanessa’s heavily made-up face: “You’re just a secretary. Don’t you think you’re way out of line here? Since when did an outsider have the right to interfere in the Hampton family’s business?”
Three years ago, the Collins family was on the edge of bankruptcy, and the Hamptons stepped in to save us.
I’ll never forget the image of my father kneeling before George Hampton, begging for help.
The Hampton family’s terms were crystal clear—I had to marry Nicholas Hampton.
“Joanna’s smart, she’s got a good head for business. She’ll make the perfect Hampton wife.” George Hampton had said at the time.
It was both gratitude and a transaction.
The Hamptons needed my business talent, and the Collins family needed financial backing.
For my father’s sake, I married Nicholas Hampton.
Over these years, I’d helped Nicholas triple the company’s performance and successfully took Hampton Group public.
Mrs. Susan Parks, our housekeeper, couldn’t stand watching this anymore. She stepped forward and grabbed Vanessa’s arm: “Miss White, the Hamptons pay you good money. Why can’t you just do your secretary job? This family’s personal stuff ain’t none of your business.”
Vanessa jerked her arm away and shrieked: “Mind your own business, you old bat!”
Mrs. Parks stumbled backward but continued trying to reason with her: “Miss White, you need to have some conscience. We’ve all seen what Mrs. Hampton’s done for this family. You got no business messing with their marriage!”
“Shut up!” Vanessa raised her hand to strike Mrs. Parks. “How dare a servant try to lecture me?”
I quickly stepped forward to block her, saying coldly: “Vanessa, Mrs. Parks has been with this family for twenty years. Even Mr. Hampton respects her. Touch her and see what happens if you dare.”
Right then, George Hampton came downstairs with a dark expression, taking in the chaotic scene in the living room, his brow furrowed deeply.
“What the hell is going on!” George barked, his gaze sweeping over Vanessa’s arrogant face. “Susan, throw this cocky secretary out of my house!”
But Vanessa showed no fear. Instead, she stepped forward, prominently displaying her belly: “I’d like to see anyone dare to touch me!”
She smugly rubbed her stomach. “Mr. Hampton, take a good look—I’m carrying the Hampton heir!”
The household staff began whispering among themselves.
“Mrs. Hampton’s been here three years and nothing. Maybe she really can’t have kids?”
“Shh, keep it down! But I mean, look at her belly—she’s definitely pregnant.”
“I mean, she wouldn’t dare act this bold unless she was carrying a Hampton baby, right?”
“Look how cocky, bet she really is having a Hampton baby!”
Hearing these murmurs, Vanessa’s lips curved into a arrogant smile.
She deliberately pushed out her slightly rounded abdomen and looked at me provocatively: “Hear that? Even the staff can see what’s obvious, but you’re still living in denial.”
She turned to address the staff, raising her voice: “When I officially become the Mrs.Hampton, everyone here today is getting double pay!”
The staff immediately grew restless, and several were already flashing obsequious smiles at Vanessa.
This made Vanessa even more smug. Her red-lacquered fingernails gently caressed her belly: “Some people’s time playing house is about to be over.”
George’s face turned ashen. He stared intently at Vanessa’s protruding belly with this scary, murderous look.
