Chapter 3

My cousin-in-law made no attempt to hide her disdain; instead, she raised her voice intentionally when she spoke to me.

It was clear she was implying I was a theft.

It’s quite funny. I’m back to my own home, yet I have to bear being accused and get permission. What a joke!

"Maybe I won’t even bother going in. I’ll just talk to the property security!"

I had seen what kind of people my uncle’s family were; talking to them was just a waste of time.

My cousin-in-law was about to say more, but my uncle quickly scolded her, "How can you talk to Abigail like that? Apologize to her right now!"

With a cold snort, she simply turned her head away.

"Abigail, please sit down. We’re all family here; why make things so tense?"

His words meant bullshit to me.

If they truly considered us family, they would never treat my mother so poorly.

They only remember we are family when they need something from me.

My gaze swept through the house, and my mood grew increasingly worse.

The place was a mess, wrecked by the kids - walls covered in scribbles, furniture battered, and the floor uneven!

I had personally overseen the decoration of this villa, taking care of every detail myself. Seeing it in this state, I couldn’t help but feel enraged.

"What’s going on here?"

"What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? It’s just normal wear and tear. What’s wrong with you, coming here to criticize?"

My cousin-in-law rolled her eyes as she spoke.

"Rude and ignorant. You think just because you’re related, you own the house too?"

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh.

It hit on me, just because we’re related, they think I should tolerate being mistreated and my mother being humiliated?

Seeing my displeased expression, my aunt quickly pushed my cousin-in-law, coaxing her upstairs with a gentle voice.

Only after my cousin-in-law had reluctantly gone upstairs did my uncle and aunt turn to me with pleading faces.

"Abigail, we were wrong. Please, let us stay a bit longer!"

At that moment, my uncle looked nothing like the arrogant man on the phone.

"When I agreed to let you move in, I told you nothing here should be damaged!"

I watched them coldly. Although I had prepared myself before coming, seeing the house in such a terrible state still pained me.

Seeing my indifferent expression, my aunt began to cry and complain.

"It’s the kid’s doing. You know, the kid’s behavior is hard to control!" she exclaimed.

"Abigail, my grandson has gotten used to living here. Could you give us a bit more time? If we move now, not only will it upset him, but my daughter-in-law will divorce my son!"

Although I had never really interacted with my cousin-in-law, I knew her situation well enough.

She was a wealthy heiress who had disdained my brother at first.

However, for reasons unknown, her family rushed to arrange a marriage for her, and upon learning that my cousin owned a villa, they married her off to him without a second thought.

After the wedding, she didn't go to work and became a full-time housewife.

Though she was called a housewife, she did nothing at home, leaving all the work to my aunt.

She barely took care of her child, leaving that to my uncle and aunt as well.

She spent money lavishly and often went out to enjoy herself, causing my aunt's family to frequently borrow money to get by.

Being thrown out would definitely lead her to abandon her husband and child, resulting in a broken home.

I was well aware of all this, but what did it have to do with me?

My family had helped them considerably.

Just as I was about to speak, my mother called and asked me not to escalate the situation for the sake of family ties.

It turned out my aunt had begged my mother to show them mercy for my deceased father’s sake. When they brought up my father, it always softened my mother’s heart.

Reluctantly, I agreed.

"Ten days. If you don't move out within ten days, I'll come make sure you do!" I told them.

Upon hearing this, my uncle and aunt were overjoyed, thanking me profusely, praising the reliability of family in crucial times.

I had thought my concession would make them grateful. Yet, far from appreciating it, they only became more outrageous!