Chapter 5

Elio was already used to being the target of ridicule. He shamelessly sat down beside his wife and stole a glance at her.

Evelyn was furious right now. She glanced at her so-called husband in disgust and embarrassment, snapping, "Why did you come dressed like that? Everyone else is in their Sunday best! Look at you."

Elio said softly, "But I don't even have a decent suit. Your mother only gives me 200 dollars a month to buy groceries. How can I afford any fancy clothes?"

That was true, and Evelyn knew it. Elio had been a full-time housemaid ever since he married into the family. When was the last time he bought new clothes? She racked her brain until suddenly remembered. "Where's the suit you were wearing when we got married back then?"

"Did you forget? We rented it from the photo studio. We had to return it after the wedding," Elio replied helplessly.

"Pfft…" The guests at the table next to theirs burst out laughing. "What a riot! That poor son-in-law, even his wedding suit was a rental! The Joneses really are stingy."

Evelyn's expression became even stormier. She did not pause to reflect on how her family had treated Elio. Instead, she thought that he was purposely trying to embarrass her. Her voice was harsh as she said, "Shut your mouth! They say the clothes make the man, but no clothes will ever make you look half-decent. Just stay here and keep out of sight."

What kind of logic was that? Elio was six feet tall and perfectly handsome! She was obviously lying through her teeth. Elio cursed silently under his breath, but he did not say anything out loud. He knew that Evelyn was having some problems with her company recently. He would just endure her attitude for now. After all, he loved her.

In the meantime, the newlyweds had stepped onto the stage. In terms of looks and temperament, the bride, Sienna, could not compare to Evelyn. After all, Evelyn was the most beautiful woman in the entire extended family.

However, beauty often came with tragedy. Evelyn had married a worthless man who amounted to nothing.

Compared to her, her cousin Sienna was lucky to have married a rich young heir. Although James was not as good-looking as Elio, he was still rich and decently handsome.

Looking at the newlywed couple on stage, Evelyn was overwhelmed with emotion. Her company was in dire need of cash lately, but they had not been able to get a loan from the bank. Her family did not have much money either. She just needed a few hundred thousand, but right now that gap felt insurmountable. If she had married a capable husband who could help her solve her problems, would things be different?

She then turned to look at Elio beside her. He only cared about gorging himself on the wedding feast. He ate as though he was starving, like a ravenous ghost. His attitude only ticked her off even more.

It was not Elio's fault per se. The food was just too good! There were lobsters and abalones, things he never got to eat at the Joneses'.

Evelyn was the only one who could keep her cool. Her parents and siblings were stuffing their faces too.

The patriarch of the Joneses had six children in total. Howard, Evelyn's father, was the worst off and the patriarch's least favorite. There was no place for the rest of them in the family business. Only Howard had the title of a director and received an allowance of 5,000 dollars a month.

Lana worked as an accountant at another company. Her monthly salary was also about four to five thousand dollars. Their family's savings had gone to Evelyn to start her company, and she had to support her two younger siblings who were still studying. The family's finances were stretched thin. They did not usually get to eat seafood, so it was no wonder they dug in.

When they were almost done and the table was littered with leftovers, the newlywed couple came over to offer them a toast.

"James, this is my third uncle, Uncle Howard," Sienna introduced sweetly.

"It's a pleasure, Uncle Howard. Cheers." James' expression was arrogant. He had already heard from Sienna that this branch of the family was the most downtrodden, so he thought they were not worthy of his attention.

“This is Aunt Lana.”