BACK OFF EX-HUSBAND, I'M MARRIED TO YOUR RIVAL NOW.

The moment the Gates Matriarch entered and saw the chaos, her gaze swept around the wrecked mansion before finally landing on Lillian, who was still panicking.

"You wretched woman, you are not satisfied with killing my son, and now you are teaching my granddaughter to be just like you." Since you clearly don't know how to teach your child, then I will have to discipline you.

"What? Y-you want to punish me?" Lillian asked, her mouth shaking.

"Are you questioning my authority as the Matriarch of the Gates family!"

Lillian quickly went on her knees. "No-no, that's not what I meant. I dare not question you."

"Go outside and kneel for two hours."

"Grandmother, it's cold outside, please can you spare her this once?" I begged on her behalf.

"No, Fiona, no need to plead on her behalf. She needs to learn her lessons," the Matriarch said.

I kept quiet immediately. The maid was massaging my leg, and Ayesha had run to hide inside her room. Despite her reluctance, Lillian knelt down in the sun.

"Good for her," I said to myself, smiling. This is just the beginning of her torment. I didn't spare her another glance.

"What about the antiques?" the maid whispered to me.

"They are already broken and of no use to us now, just sweep them off the floor."

Of course, the broken antiques were the fake ones. I had already hidden the original ones as part of my divorce compensation. I purposely told Ayesha that those antiques were my favorites; I knew Ayesha would definitely break them.

The Matriarch left after she made sure that Lillian had completed her punishment. The maid helped me to my feet as I headed upstairs to my room.

"Bad woman!" Ayesha screamed just as I was about to open the door to my room. "I called Uncle Richard; he will throw you out of the house, then you will be homeless."

How can the heart of a five-year-old child be filled with so much hate? "Then I will be waiting," I said, smiling at her.

"He will surely divorce you and marry my mom; he only loves me and my mom," Ayesha continued shouting.

I chuckled. "Alright, tell him to hurry up and divorce me. I don't even want to stay here another minute."

I know Richard and Lillian still needed me to cover their affairs. A divorced man living with his late brother's wife under the same roof will definitely raise questions among high society, and Lillian's reputation will be ruined, and I know that Richard will never allow it.

Richard returned to the house about an hour later. I was busy scrolling through my phone when I heard the sound of his car.

I was curious to know what was happening downstairs, so I stepped out of my room, pretending I wanted to get something from the kitchen.

Richard was crouched down in front of Lillian; he was applying ointment to her knees. Her face was red from sunburn. I stood at the staircase so I could get a better view of the romantic drama.

"You fool, why did you kneel? You should have refused," Richard said, wiping tears from the corner of Lillian's cheek.

"Matriarch gave the order; what other choice do I have? And you know they are still angry with me," Lillian said in a trembling voice. "Please can you hurry up with the divorce? I can't stand her anymore, and besides, it's not like we still need her around."

Richard frowned, confused. "You mean Fiona?"

"Yes," Lillian said, biting her lips. "She's wicked; she told Ayesha she could play with the antiques, then turned around and called the Matriarch."

"Uncle Richard, Mummy is right." Ayesha ran to him, hugging his legs. "Aunty Fiona is a bad woman."

"That's impossible," Richard said, cleaning the tears from Ayesha's face. "Maybe you misheard your aunt. She's the sweetest and kindest person in our family. And I know she will never tell you to break things around the house. And you know, she's everyone's favorite, especially the Matriarch."

I knew the last remark was aimed squarely at Lillian; he wanted her to know that she was asking for the impossible.

Lillian looked at him, surprised. "Are you implying that Ayesha and I made up stories to frame her? Since when have you started doubting me? Richard! You have changed; you never doubted me before, and now just for Fiona, you have started doubting me!"

Richard's gaze softened as he realized what he had just said. "Lilly, I'm sorry. I never doubted you, and I certainly have not changed too."

Lillian held his collar. "Then tell me, can you swear on it? Swear that you have not developed feelings for Fiona? Swear that you have never touched her, not even once."

"I swear to you, Lillian, I haven't touched her," he said without a hint of guilt in his voice.

I smiled bitterly. He wasn't wrong. I cleared my throat to draw their attention. Richard was startled.

"Honey, how long have you been standing there?" he asked, panicking.

"Long enough to hear what you were saying to Fiona," I said smiling. I could see the shock on their faces.

"Relax, I was just kidding. I didn't hear anything, and Lillian is your sister-in-law, so there's no need to eavesdrop on your conversations. Anyway, my cousin invited us to her wedding this Saturday. He wants to know if you will be free to attend."

"Your cousin?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, the one that gave you that contract to sign-the one hundred million dollar contract with you."

"Yeah, sure, I will be free. We will go together."

"Okay, honey." I glanced at Lillian and Ayesha, who was still holding on to Richard's legs tightly. I didn't say a word to them as I went back upstairs to my room. Richard followed behind me, trying to hold my hand, but I shrugged him off.

"Honey, you got a gift for me?" Richard asked, reaching for the gift box as soon as we entered the room.

"Oh that? It was supposed to be for our wedding anniversary. I prepared it specially for you, and I was going to present it to you."

"Honey, I'm so sorry. I promise I will never miss our anniversary ever again."

"It's fine. I know you have been busy with work and meetings lately, so it's totally understandable that you forgot our anniversary." I picked up the gift box from the nightstand.

"Take the gift; it's still yours. Your birthday is next week, but you are not permitted to open the box until next week. Consider it an early birthday gift from me," I said, smiling sweetly.

Before he could say anything else, a knock came on the door. "Richard, I just hurt my leg; can you come and massage it for me?" Lillian's voice came from outside the door.

Richard quickly tossed the gift on the bed and ran out of the room without a second thought.

I smiled bitterly as I picked up the gift box and placed it back on the nightstand.