Chapter 2

I looked at Violet and said coldly:

"Violet, the money in this house isn't yours."

"So do me a favor and stop being so possessive over other people's money."

Violet frowned at once, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'm only keeping an eye on things for Mr. Henson."

"Mr. Henson's too soft. He hands every last dollar straight to you. If I don't watch it, what happens when you've squandered his whole fortune?"

I laughed.

"First of all, who manages the money in this house is between me and my husband. It's not your place to point fingers."

"Second, on whose authority are you keeping an eye on things for my husband?"

"Are you his mother?"

"Or his boss?"

Violet glared at me, beside herself.

"I've worked in the Henson house for ten years. Everything in this house is mine to manage!"

"How many years have you even been married in? What do you know about running a home?"

I was about to answer when my mother tugged at my sleeve, anxious.

"Let it go, Monica. Your father and I will head back now. Don't fight with anyone over us."

My father nodded too. "That's right. You're pregnant now, you have to be careful. Don't let this upset the baby."

The two of them looked so afraid of causing me trouble that they turned and walked straight out.

The moment my parents left, a smug smile spread across Violet's face.

I had no time to waste on her. I turned and hurried out after my parents.

"Mom, Dad, let me take you out to eat."

My mother hesitated.

"If you take us out, that's more money spent. What if your housekeeper starts on you again?"

"Don't worry about her."

I drove my parents to a restaurant nearby and ordered a whole table of the dishes they loved.

The moment the food came out, they fell on it, eating fast and hungry.

They were starving. A full day and night on the train, and they hadn't let themselves spend a cent on a hot meal.

Halfway through, Fred Henson called.

"Honey, did you pick up your parents?"

Fred had known for a while that my parents were coming to the city to see me.

He'd told me again and again to treat them well and make sure they wanted for nothing.

Watching the two of them with their heads down over the food, I answered with a quiet "Mm" and said nothing more.

Fred seemed to sense something was off and asked at once:

"What is it? You don't sound right."

"Did something happen?"

My nose stung.

I told Fred everything Violet had done today, start to finish.

When he'd heard it all, Fred went quiet for several seconds, his voice colder than I'd ever heard it.

"Honey, don't be angry. I'll deal with this when I get home."

Fred didn't say much more.

But I could hear it. He was furious.

After I hung up, my mother looked at me with worry.

"Monica, is Fred angry?"

My father was uneasy too.

"That boy has always thought more of you than of his own life. He won't do anything rash, will he?"

I knew what they were afraid of.

Fred looked mild and gracious most of the time, courteous to everyone, but underneath it he had a ruthless streak when it came to protecting his own.

Especially with me. He couldn't stand to see me wronged in the slightest.

Last year a business partner had too much to drink at a dinner, pointed at me, and said offhandedly:

"Is this one at Mr. Henson's side just for decoration? Pretty enough, I'll give her that."

Over that one sentence, that partner's company, worth hundreds of millions, was declared bankrupt overnight.

Someone urged Fred not to go so far over a single remark.

He only said one thing. "He crossed my line."

After that, no one ever dared say a single word against me in front of me again.

Faced with my parents' worry, I gave a small smile.

"It's fine. He knows where the line is."

To keep Violet from making my parents sick to their stomachs any longer, after the meal I booked them a hotel nearby and settled them in.

Once my parents were settled, I went home.

The moment I stepped through the door, I froze completely.