Chapter 9 The Unexpected Guest

• Just as Stella came downstairs, dressed in a limited-edition dress and high heels, looking very elegant.
• I handed her the carefully picked gift and smiled. "Stella, happy birthday! This is from your brother and me. Hope you like it."
• Stella opened the box and took out the car keys. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "How did you know I wanted this car?"
• Seeing that she loved it, I let out a sigh of relief. "I saw you looking at it last time."
• Her smile faded, and she interrupted, "My brother's money, right? Don't think this means I fancy you. In my mind, there's only one sister-in-law."
• With that, she suddenly stopped talking and walked toward the kitchen with a spring in her step.
• I never thought a sports car would change her mind about me. As the Campbells's princess, she could have anything she wanted.
• Besides, she was right. Most of the money did come from Henry.
• But her comment about only having one sister-in-law stuck with me. It felt like a weight on my chest.
• I stood there in a daze, wondering if she meant Carol.
• Henry didn't show up for dinner. My mother-in-law even asked if we had argued. I had to leave the table and call him from the window.
• The phone rang several times, but he didn't pick up. A sense of unease crept into my heart.
• Just as I was wondering what to do, I heard a servant call my name from behind.
• I turned around and saw Henry standing under the bright lights. He was dressed in a custom-made suit, his lips tightly pressed together, radiating a cold aura.
• I was stunned for a moment and started walking toward him, but then I heard him speak calmly, "This is Brian. All the elders are here, so I wanted to introduce him to you."
• My mother-in-law shot him a look and asked, "Introduce him? Whose child is this?"
• Henry firmly replied, "My son, your grandson."
• I froze in my tracks and looked down to see him holding the hand of a little boy about three or four years old.
• I felt a sudden chill run through my entire body, as if my blood had turned cold.
• A shiver ran down my spine, and his words kept echoing in my ears.
• Brian ...
• I suddenly remembered that Carol had mentioned this name at the hospital yesterday.
• Brian was their child?
• It was ridiculous—completely ridiculous.
• The most ridiculous part was me. I was completely caught off guard, standing there helplessly as my husband introduced his illegitimate child to all our relatives.
• I walked up to him, my voice shaking, "Henry, what are you saying?"
• Brian seemed scared, took a couple of steps back, and ran into a woman's arms, saying softly, "Mommy, I'm scared."
• That was when I realised that Carol was also there.
• Yesterday, he wouldn't let me acknowledge our relationship in front of Carol, but today, he's brought his family home.
• I looked at Carol holding the child and then at Henry. It really was a picture-perfect family of three.
• Even the most clueless person could see what was going on. Even Stella, who usually didn't like me, looked at me with a hint of pity.
• Carol, with red eyes, said, "Jass, I was just worried that Brian might be upset and cry, so I came with Henry."
• I struggled to control my almost explosive emotions and asked, trying to keep my voice steady, "Why didn't my dad come with you? Even though my behaviour was inappropriate when you two got married, I … "
• The people present were taken aback by my words.
• What started as a drama of a rightful wife confronting the mistress and her child had suddenly turned into a scandalous spectacle.
• I did it on purpose. I could endure his humiliation because I loved him.
• But I couldn't stand Carol flaunting herself and pretending to be innocent in front of me because I hated her deeply!
• "Jasmine," Henry shot me a cold look, clearly warning me.
• I gave a cold smile and said, "What, she can act as she pleases, but I'm not allowed to speak?"
• Carol suddenly started trembling and looked terrified. "Please, don't say any more. I'm begging you, just stop!"
• I didn't understand why she was so scared; something just felt off.
• Henry's gaze was as cold as ice, fixed on me as if he would strangle me if I said another word.
• He said coldly, "Jasmine, this is the Campbell residence. I brought these two here, and you have a problem with it? Brian is my child and has every right to be here."
• I wasn't about to back down. I said sarcastically, "Your child? With Carol, who knows what she's capable of? Just because she says the child is yours, you believe it?"
• A woman who had no boundaries, like crawling into my dad's bed, would do anything.
• Henry took Brian from Carol's arms, gently wiping the child's tears. His voice was firm and commanding, "I'm announcing this, not asking for your approval. Do you understand?"