This was it. She wanted Nathan and Joanna to leave this house of their own accord. She had already kicked Jared out, saving Joanna the trouble of dealing with him. But that fool was so incredibly stupid, he had actually photoshopped pictures to slander his own sister.

When she was still trapped in this family's toxic dynamic, manipulated and emotionally abused, she had thought such tactics were normal. Only now, with a clear head, did she realize how despicable her son's actions had been.

The more Wendy thought about it, the angrier she became. She walked over to Nathan, who was still wearing a pained expression. "Nathan, cheating on me in my own home was bad enough, but now you're using sickness as an excuse to avoid work? Your company is on the verge of collapse. Look at your own medical report. The doctor said there's nothing wrong with you besides high vitals. Or are you just trying to avoid giving your parents their hundred thousand dollars?"

Nathan flinched, his eyes darting away from Wendy's furious, exhausted face. "Wendy, that's not it."

"Isn't it? I heard everything from the doorway. Didn't I transfer a hundred thousand to your account? I've been so busy lately, I asked you to give the money to your parents, but you didn't, did you?" she pressed. "They are your mother and father. For twenty years, I've treated them like my own. No matter how difficult things got for the company, that hundred thousand dollars was deposited into their account every month. Do the math, Nathan. How much is that? I gave you the money, and you were supposed to give it to your mother. How could you let her misunderstand my intentions? You're her son. How could you do something to break her heart?"

Nathan froze. That was right. Wendy had given him a hundred thousand dollars a few days ago to pass on to his parents. But he had forgotten and given the money to Joanna's mother instead.

"I... I forgot, honey. I'll give it to Mom tomorrow."

His mother stared at him, frowning. How could he have forgotten? She'd been reminding him about the money morning and night. A cold feeling crept into her heart; her son didn't care for her like he used to.

"Son, I've gotten used to that money. Not having it feels like you're draining the blood from my veins. You have to give it to me tomorrow."

"Fine, fine, Mom, I'll give it to you tomorrow," Nathan said, his voice laced with irritation.

Only then did the old woman go back to her room, satisfied.

Wendy turned to leave, but Nathan called out after her. "Wendy, where are you going?"

She looked back at him, a cold smile on her lips. You don't really think I'm going to stay in this house, do you? Have you already forgotten what happened at Mr. Wilson's party? Nathan, ou can't have it both ways. Think about your situation. Don't

push things to a point where we all lose face."

Finally, Wendy said the words she'd been holding back. "You're tainted now."

Nathan's eyes widened in fury. "Wendy, you... I was set up by Natalie!"

"Natalie was the one who explained things so clearly that day. I don't understand why you insist on blaming her. Is it because you think she's an easy target?"

"No, Wendy, she's our daughter, but she plotted against me..."

"Hmph! Stop making excuses, Nathan," Wendy scoffed. "And thank God I don't recognize that other woman. If I did, I'd really start to suspect you two were having an affair."

Nathan loved to stir up trouble, didn't he? Well, she could give him a taste of his own medicine. His mother valued money more than life itself His suffering was just beginning.

"I'll be staying at the office for a while. You can take care of your parents. And by the way, your company has lost a few deals

recently,

When

a business you

do

should learn to leave some scraps

for others. Otherwise, you'll find yourself a target."