Chapter 4

"Honey, you really got fired? Them firing you while pregnant is a violation of labor law, I'll go talk to your boss!"

I quickly stopped him. "No!"

Under Mark's suspicious gaze, I tried to keep my voice steady. "It was my fault for losing the order. If it weren't for me working tirelessly without complaint all these years and being pregnant, the company would have pursued damages and compensation."

"Millions in compensation. Our life savings wouldn't cover it."

Mark frowned even deeper. He just grabbed my phone and dialed my boss's number.

"I'll ask, I can't let you be wronged."

As the phone rang, my heart nearly pounded out of my chest.

The next second, the call connected, and my boss's impatient voice came through.

"Ashley! I've already made it clear to you! The company not pursuing charges is already the best outcome for you! Don't even dream of compensation!"

Luckily, I was quick-witted. While I was recording the surveillance earlier, I had briefly explained my predicament to my boss.

My boss was a fierce businesswoman who hated scumbags, and she immediately said the company would stand firmly by me.

After hanging up, Mark stared at my pale face, brushing back my sweat-soaked strands of hair. "Honey, why are you so nervous?"

"So what if you lost your job? I can still support you. Mom just felt the pressure of me being the sole breadwinner. She's going through menopause and prone to emotional breakdowns. For my sake, just let it go."

"Perfect, now you have time. The sales agent for that house we liked has called several times for us to sign the contract. No time like the present, let's go today! It'll wash away your bad luck from losing your job!"

Mark, without a word, pulled me and Brenda to the sales office. To my surprise, Chloe was already waiting there!

Brenda intimately linked arms with her as soon as she got out of the car.

"I called Chloe to come along, for her advice."

Chloe puffed out her belly, showing off. "Mark, Auntie Brenda was worried about your taste, so she asked me to come and approve. You don't mind, do you~"

She'd been like this at home too.

"Ashley, don't just rely on being pregnant and make my aunt do all the work."

"My Mark works hard for his money, Ashley, you need to learn to be thrifty! Look at all these packages! You're married, who are you dressing up for?"

"I'm just direct~ Don't mind me, Ashley~ I'm only saying this for your family's good."

At the time, I thought she was just jealous of Mark and my good life, spouting sour grapes, so I paid her no mind.

After marriage, I had always played the role of a devoted wife and dutiful daughter-in-law. Even Mark had forgotten that an orphan girl had clawed her way to the top—I wasn't someone to be easily taken advantage of.

New and old resentments flared, and my face hardened.

"Even if I did mind, you'd still cling on like an irritating rash, wouldn't you?"

My sudden counterattack stunned both Brenda and Mark.

Chloe pouted petulantly, looking at them, stomping her foot and huffing.

Brenda immediately glared at me.

"You're rebelling! You uncultured brat! Who gave you permission to speak to a relative like that!"

For the first time, I talked back without backing down.

"I'm buying a house, and a distant relative who has nothing to do with this comes here bossing around. Who's really uncultured?!"

My voice wasn't quiet, drawing stares and whispers from the onlookers.

Mark frowned and pulled me. "Can't you just let it go?! It's not that big a deal!"

"No matter what, you can't talk back to my mom!"

I coldly shrugged off his arm.

"Then listen to your mom. Let your mom pay for the house too."