After Hitting the Jackpot

As soon as I finished checking into the hotel with Primily, Edwin called."Gina, my mom is old. She watches our kid and cooks for you every day. I don't expect gratitude, but at least show some basic decency. Do you have any idea how worried she was when you walked out just like that? Come home and apologize to her immediately!"Clearly, my "defiance" had upset Betty, and Edwin was now out for justice. His tone was laced with entitlement, and his voice was loud enough to burst through the receiver.Primily glanced at me anxiously. I gave her a reassuring pat and turned on the TV to distract her. Then, I stepped outside to take the call as I didn't want her to witness her parents arguing."Edwin, when I was rushing Primily to the hospital last night, where were you? Oh, that's right, you were celebrating another woman's birthday. Who are you to lecture me?"Edwin let out an irritated scoff."Why must you put it that way? You know that Diana's one of my most important clients. I'm

Just as I left the café, I received a call from Primily's preschool teacher."Ms. Wright, Primily's grandmother insisted on taking her away. I wanted to confirm with you first."In the background, Betty's shrill wailing sounded."This is outrageous! My daughter-in-law is using the child to blackmail my son! And now you people are not letting me see Primily. Heaven help me! If I don't see her today, I swear I'll kill myself right here! I'd rather die than suffer this humiliation!""Grandma, you're hurting me… Mommy, I'm scared…"Primily's frightened cries clawed at my heart.Betty yelled again, "What are you crying for? Your mom doesn't want you anymore! Just come with me, or no one will want you!"I called the police as I rushed to the preschool.At the police station, Betty's lies flowed effortlessly as she pointed at me and hurled insults."This woman is pure evil! Just because my son is busy with work, she throws tantrums and even runs away from home with my granddaughter!

Edwin thought I was just putting on a brave face and refusing to admit defeat. To him, I'd been nothing more than a stay-at-home mom who cooked meals and raised our kid."That bastard probably forgot you used to close more deals than he ever did when you two started the business," my friend Andrea Lewis said with a satisfying bite in her tone."Be it professionally or socially, you're miles ahead of him in every way!"Andrea was my best friend in college. When Edwin and I got married, we didn't have a grand ceremony but a small dinner with a few close friends at a cheap restaurant.At that time, Andrea had declared herself my family."Edwin, if you ever hurt Gina, I swear I'll hijack a plane and fly back just to kill you."Andrea didn't believe in marriage. Right after graduation, she went abroad to make money. Over the years, we lost touch for a while, especially with different time zones and me drowning in housework.However, our bond never faded.Last year, she returned to t

When we were announced as the winner, Edwin shot to his feet so hastily that he knocked over his chair. He turned to Diana with a pleading, bewildered gaze, only for her to frown and avert her eyes.Perhaps the sheer amount he had invested in this bid had clouded his judgment, for Edwin blurted out at Carl, "I'm your son-in-law to-be! Why would you support someone else?"Carl glanced at Janet, utterly perplexed. "Is he your boyfriend?"Janet looked horrified as she denied, "No way! I wouldn't pick up trash!"She turned to Diana and asked mockingly, "Could it be her boyfriend?"It was only then that Carl seemed to remember Diana sitting behind him. He frowned and asked, "What's going on here?""I don't know him," Diana replied without looking at Edwin. "I have no idea what he's talking about."Edwin's composure crumbled. He lunged forward and grabbed Diana's wrist."How can you say that? Didn't you promise to introduce me to your dad if I succeeded in this bid? Diana, what's wro