Chapter 4

I stumbled, nearly losing my balance. Suddenly, James lunged forward, grabbing my hair and slapping me hard across the face.

"Alex, have I been too lenient with you?" he roared. "It's just a stupid bracelet, and you dare to lay hands on Sophia!"

I cupped my stinging cheek, collapsing to the floor. Looking up, I saw the three of them towering over me. Their lips were moving, but all I could hear was a sharp ringing in my ears.

Fighting back tears, I struggled to my feet. I grabbed a nearby glass and smashed it on the ground, sending shards flying everywhere.

Trying to keep my voice from trembling, I fixed them with an icy stare and said slowly and deliberately:

"If that's how it is, then let's get a divorce."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Parker burst into shrill laughter as if she'd just heard a hilarious joke.

"Alex, you really think too highly of yourself! Divorce? That's for my son to decide, not you!"

"What right does a woman like you have to ask for a divorce?" she continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "So what if my son hired a nanny? He's such an outstanding man, he deserves to have eight women serving him if he wants!"

She shot James a meaningful glance. "Son, your wife is so petty. Haven't you been disciplining her properly?"

James sneered, his face contorting with anger as he approached me. He grabbed my hair again, ignoring my struggles as he dragged me into the bedroom.

I stared at him, my eyes unfocused, letting out a blood-curdling scream. Tears streamed down my face as I felt myself on the verge of a breakdown.

I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees to my chest, listening to their laughter and cheerful conversation outside. My heart was filled with rage and despair.

"I've always said we shouldn't be too nice to Alex, or she'll get ideas above her station," Mrs. Parker's voice drifted in.

"You taught her a good lesson today. She'll definitely be more obedient from now on," Sophia chimed in.

James laughed heartily, nodding in agreement. "Mom, you're still the wisest of us all."

I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.

I realized that their refusal to divorce was simply because they wanted me to continue earning money for them. Moreover, I currently had no concrete evidence against them.

If I were to divorce now, I'd lose at least half of our assets, which would be a significant loss for me.

With this in mind, I gradually calmed down.

I straightened my disheveled clothes and walked out of the bedroom, forcing a smile onto my face.

"You must be hungry. I'll go make lunch for everyone," I said, trying to keep my voice as natural as possible.

Mrs. Parker snorted coldly. "It's about time! Why did you have to make such a fuss earlier?"

Sophia stood nearby, demurely peeling grapes for Mrs. Parker. "Don't be upset with Alex, Mrs. Parker. It's not worth ruining your mood over her."

I rolled my eyes, thinking to myself: Enjoy your smugness while you can. It won't last much longer.

After preparing the meal, Mrs. Parker knocked the chopsticks out of my hand and glared at me. "Go buy two bottles of juice. Sophia likes orange juice."

She turned to Sophia with a smile, their expressions full of triumph and challenge.

I let out a cold laugh and left the house without a word.

I dawdled downstairs while buying the drinks, deliberately giving them enough time.

As I left, I intentionally left the door slightly ajar.

In the elevator, I pressed the button for one floor below ours, then slowly made my way up the stairs to our front door.

I pressed myself against the wall, listening to the cheerful voices and Mrs. Parker's nauseating laughter coming from inside. My heart was filled with anger and disgust.

"My son is truly capable!" Mrs. Parker's voice rang out. "Now Sophia has given you a son and can live here as a nanny. Let that little bitch Alex go out and earn money for us while you enjoy the best of both worlds at home!"