Chapter 4 Scheming
The living room went completely quiet.
The three of them looked pale, clearly unsure how to respond.
Seeing how uncomfortable they were, I felt satisfied.
They thought I had no idea that Elisa was Nicole’s birth mother, so they defended her so brazenly.
But after being reborn, I wasn’t that naive anymore.
In the first few days after I was reborn, I kept thinking of Nicole as the daughter I had raised.
I couldn’t understand how she could hurt someone who had looked after her for 20 years for an insignificant woman.
Even if Elisa was Jayden’s lover, Nicole had no reason to do that.
With doubts, I asked a friend to check the hospital records where Jayden had adopted Nicole.
The investigation’s outcome crushed me.
Jayden and Elisa had been together since college, and Nicole was their daughter.
Our meeting was just by chance, but it made Jayden realize the huge gap between wealth and poverty.
He began to believe that only the wealthy deserved respect in this big world.
Chapter 4 Schering
So, he started reaching out to me more often. Eventually, he broke up with Elisa and agreed to marry into my family as a live–in son–in–law.
But a year after our wedding, he returned to his hometown for ancestral rites and got back together with Elisa.
They spent three nights together. After that, Jayden returned to the Schultz’s residence.
Nine months later, Elisa called him, saying she’d given birth to a daughter.
That was when he began scheming.
After I lost my baby–at five months, Jayden brought Nicole home.
Later, he arranged for Elisa to move to the city, buying her a small apartment.
When I found out, I hoped I could tear him apart.
But I stayed calm, saving everything for the company’s celebration.
Right as I was about to speak, Nicole broke the tension.
She limped over, clung to my arm, and acted sweet.
“Mom, I’m your daughter. I have nothing to do with her. Don’t push me away just because I’m a bit spoiled.”
“That’s right. You’re the most important person in our lives. You’re our queen.”
Jayden kept echoing whatever Nicole said, completely ignoring Elisa’s tearful eyes.
I was satisfied with her tears.
23 covering
Chapter 4 Scheming
I nodded with a smile and said calmly, “Fine. Let her stay in the guest room tonight. I’ve got something else to handle. You guys figure out the rest.”
As soon as I stepped outside, my smile vanished.
I even felt disgusted, like just being near those three had tainted the air I breathed.
Once I got in the car, I turned on the home surveillance feed.
The screen showed Elisa sitting on the couch, sobbing into her hands. Jayden and Nicole rushed to her with tissues, trying to comfort her.
She snatched the tissues, turned her back, and cried even harder.
“You two seem to be enchanted by that washed–up woman. Have you forgotten who your real wife and mother is?”
“Just be patient,” Jayden said, holding her tightly. “The company’s celebration is in two weeks. Once we secure the company, I’ll divorce Wynter.”
To show her loyalty, Nicole added quickly, “Hang in there, Mom. We’re right behind you.
“Once this is over, you’ll be the mighty Mrs. Ferguson. She’ll have no choice but to beg for your mercy.”
I was sickened by their hypocrisy and decided not to go home.
Still, to get my position at the celebration, Jayden played the perfect husband.
For the first time in 20 years, flowers arrived at my office. Homemade brunches I had never seen before showed up daily.
Chapter 4 Scheming
The old me might’ve been touched.
11
But now that I knew it was a trap, I tossed them straight into the trash.
For two weeks, we both pretended.
Luckily, the days flew by, and the celebration finally came.
Right as I was ready to throw those two out of my life, Nicole rolled in with a wheelchair, holding a cup of coffee.
She smiled sweetly and said, “Mom, I made this for you. Try it.”
I smiled faintly, took the cup, and sniffed.
It did smell stronger than usual. Under her gaze, I took the cup’s rim in my mouth.
When the time felt right, I set the coffee down and headed toward the banquet hall.
Before I could open the door, I heard Jayden’s sorrowful voice.
“Wynter had an accident last night and lost her ability to speak. I’ll be taking over the company for now and will also host the celebration today.”
