Dumped the CEO, Now He Begs for My Love

As soon as those words landed, whispers broke out around the room. Lisa shot me a cold glare.

"What are you still standing there for? Get to the kitchen."

I crossed my arms and smiled at her, all relaxed.

"Lisa, isn't that what the maid's for? You asking me to cook now-is that because you see me as a servant, or are you just trying to mess with me?"

Lisa looked stunned for a second, clearly not expecting me to talk back. Her face quickly darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting? I just wanted to see what you could do. How's that messing with you or treating you like a servant?"

Matthew sized me up with a disbelieving look, then his face hardened.

"You've only been married a year and you're already talking back to my mom? What's next-you planning to walk all over her in a couple of years?"

Everyone was staring at me like I'd grown two heads, obvious disdain in their eyes.

Didn't bother me, though-I'd seen those same looks in my past life.

Back then, I did whatever Lisa said, cooked for everyone till I was dead on my feet, and where did that get me? Nowhere good.

She said I made the food taste terrible on purpose, even claimed a dog wouldn't touch it. I tried to explain myself, but that just gave them more reason to laugh me off, say I was disrespectful.

Some people tried to smooth things over, saying I was raised as a pampered princess and it was already impressive that I was trying. But Lisa just sneered, said I wasn't even as good as the maid, and asked what use I was.

All those cruel words-still burned into my memory. This time around, I knew better. No more playing the fool.

Matthew stood and walked over, smirking like he thought he was clever. He circled me twice, cocky as ever.

"Isabella, my brother spoil you too much or what? My mom tells you to cook, and you're seriously just not going?"

My gaze turned icy as I looked straight at him, lips curving with a calm smile.

"Nope. Not going. What, you gonna try and threaten me now?"

His expression twisted. "So what if I do? Who do you even think you are? Ignoring my mom like that? Don't forget you're just some broke nobody. You want things to get worse?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly, my voice cold. "Don't be in such a rush to threaten me. Worst case, I get mocked for not making dinner. But if the sick stuff you've done ever comes out? You've got way bigger problems."

He froze-clearly shaken. "You?"

I met his eyes dead-on. "You think I'm bluffing? Please. I know a lot more than you think."

Every time Matthew got in trouble, he'd hide behind Lisa, expecting her to clean up his mess.In his last life, he raped a female classmate, and it was Lisa who handled it quietly behind the scenes. They settled it privately, and no one else in the Wright family found out. But a few years later, the whole thing blew up. The girl's parents got greedy and wanted more money, and Matthew lost control and beat them so badly one ended up in the hospital. That's when everything came out-no way to cover it up anymore.

I'd never divorced Ronald, so of course I knew all the dirt. It probably hasn't happened yet in this life, but with the way Matthew behaves, there's no way that was the only mess he's made.

He stared at me, then actually stepped back a couple paces, eyes full of suspicion and fear. He quickly scurried over to Lisa and whispered something in her ear.

His voice was low, but I still caught it: "Mom, what's up with her? Did she suddenly grow a spine? Is this still that doormat Isabella, the one anyone could step on?"

Lisa sniffed hard, clearly full of disdain. "Doesn't matter. As long as she's still my daughter-in-law, she does what I say. Matthew, take her to the kitchen. She's cooking dinner today, period."

With his mom backing him up, Matthew puffed out his chest and stomped toward me like he was about to start something. I didn't flinch. Worst case, we throw hands.

Just as he was about to grab me, a deep cough echoed from the stairs. Everyone turned to look-it was Frank Wright and Ronald, already making their way down.

The two looked strikingly alike-both in sharp suits, with that same cold, serious face that made people freeze under their gaze. Frank glanced briefly at Matthew, and he instantly backed off, dropping his hand like it was burning.

Lisa quickly wiped off her scowl and forced a smile. "I was just trying to teach my daughter-in-law something. She can't even get pregnant to carry on the family name, and now she's refusing to cook? No sense of respect at all."

I stood with my arms crossed, expression icy. Clearly, nothing I said to her last time got through. She still thinks me not being able to have kids is the issue.

Frank shot her a sharp look. "If she doesn't want to cook, then don't make her. Isn't that what we pay all the maids for?"

Lisa choked on that, her face shifting awkwardly. "Got it."

I dropped my head a little, hiding the smirk tugging at my lips. Lisa always cared about saving face. In my last life, I kept swallowing everything she threw at me, no matter how over the line, so she never once lost face. Look at her now. Humiliated in front of everyone.

I was trying my hardest not to laugh when I caught Ronald's gaze. He was staring at me with a dark, unreadable look.

I wasn't fazed one bit. I even gave him a smug, slightly provocative glance in return.

Ronald: "..."

The awkward silence only lasted for a moment before Frank took the lead and the atmosphere quickly returned to its usual chatter and clinking of glasses.

Soon, everyone began to take their seats for dinner.

Last time, I not only had to cook, but also serve everyone. This time? Nope. I sat straight down next to Ronald and ignored all of it.

Lisa sat too, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said, "Looks like we've brought home a queen. Doesn't lift a finger, doesn't know the first thing about taking care of her husband. Want me to build you a throne while I'm at it, Your Majesty?"

I scoffed, "What, is he missing hands or eyes? Why should he need my help?"

The room went dead silent. Everyone stared at me like I'd grown another head. Even Frank looked startled. They were all used to the timid me, so this sudden shift clearly caught them off guard.

Lisa's face darkened when she saw I talked back. Her words got nastier by the minute.

I'd seen it coming, but it still hit hard. Last time around, this kind of humiliation was my daily soundtrack.

Out of habit or some dumb hope, I glanced toward Ronald. He looked as perfect as ever, quiet and distant, like he was carved from marble-beautiful and cold. He didn't even flinch, didn't care at all what was being said.

Even though I no longer held any illusions about him in this life-he was still my husband. Yet even now, when things were clearly ugly, he just sat there like it had nothing to do with him. Honestly? It hurt more than I thought it would.

Meanwhile, Lisa kept going, "Just like your mother, you've got a princess complex but none of the luck. No one on either side gives a damn about your mom-not even after her death."

My face probably looked terrible, and frankly, I wasn't going to hide it anymore. I stared right at her, my voice low and sharp.

"As the wife of the chairman of Wright Corporation, you being petty and harsh to your daughter-in-law is one thing, but to talk like that about someone who's already passed. really?"

Her face twisted. "You better watch your mouth. Is that how you speak to your elders?"

I didn't back down. My expression was icy. "Watch yours, and maybe I'll do the same. Let's leave each other some basic respect."

Lisa clearly wanted to keep lashing out-her lips moved several times, but no words came out. Seeing that no one else was jumping in to support her, she had no choice but to swallow it and changed the subject.

"You know, Ronald's been married over a year, and there's still no sign of a baby. I worry she's like her mother-weak health and all. So yeah, I've nagged a bit."

"But I swear, I care about this girl. I've been taking her to doctors, giving her herbs, doing everything I can. Does she appreciate it? No. Instead, she yelled at me for meddling. I'm telling you, it's tough being a mother-in-law nowadays."