chapter 3

Aileen, looking emotional, grabbed the arms of the two teary-eyed elders.

"From now on, I'm your daughter. I'll live well with Jack and give you grandchildren as soon as possible!"

"Great!"

The Harrisons' relatives clapped and cheered, clearly pleased with this sensible new daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, my relatives and friends looked like they'd just eaten something awful.

They were all respectable people from high society, so no one yelled or made a scene—but that didn't stop them from thinking that this wedding was ridiculous.

Especially since some of my acquaintances had recognized Aileen as the new housekeeper at my house.

A housekeeper replacing the bride—and the in-laws approving? That was insane!

I couldn't stand their fake smiles, so I left early.

I also hired a private investigator to look into Aileen's background.

I even posted a statement online, making it clear that Aileen—not me, Joanna Stanley—was the bride.

Late at night, Jack helped his drunk father, Edward Harrison, into the house.

"My son got married today. I'm happy, so I drank a bit more."

"The best is yet to come; you're just drunk on happiness."

Jack's mom, Frida Harrison, looked worried—but she couldn't hide her satisfied smile.

When Jack saw me sitting in the living room with a cold expression, he froze for a second, clearly feeling guilty.

But Frida didn't seem to think anything was wrong.

She smoothly ordered, "Why aren't you getting a glass of water for your father-in-law? You're a Harrison now. Pay more attention."

I looked up and couldn't help but laugh. "It wasn't my wedding. If you want water, go find Aileen to get it."

Unexpectedly, she got angry. "Aileen was doing you a favor! She even helped us greet the guests. But look at you! You just left without saying goodbye to our relatives. You have no manners."

Frida's face was full of scorn and entitlement—it made me laugh.

"Are you kidding me? I gave you a little respect, but that doesn't mean I'm a pushover.

"Jack brought his mistress to the wedding, and you were all bragging about what a good daughter-in-law you had. Now you're coming to me? What is it? Senile dementia? Go outside and forget everything?"

"Joanna, what's wrong with you? Apologize to my mom!"

Jack, for the first time, stood up for himself, yelling at me with a red face.

Just then, Aileen suddenly rushed in.

Seeing Frida's chest heaving with anger, Aileen rushed over to calm her down.

"Frida, what's wrong? Don't get angry, your health is most important. You're so precious, you shouldn't get this upset over someone who's not worth it!"

Then, she glanced at the scene and immediately began bossing the housekeepers around.

"What are you all standing here for? Can't you see Mrs. Harrison is this upset? Hurry up and get a chair! What's the point of having you if you're useless?

"Your boss was just yelled at by this woman, and you're just standing there like idiots. I'll have Jack fire all of you!"

I was astonished.

The smug look on her face was nothing like how she'd been this afternoon.

She must have felt that everything went so well yesterday that she no longer needed to pretend.

I was so angry that I laughed. Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "Who do you think you are? A housekeeper bossing people around in front of me?"

But Aileen didn't back down.

"I have more right than you do. Everyone saw me marry Jack today. I am his official wife. Who are you now?

"Don't think I don't know what you are! A gold digger living off Jack—what right do you have to act so entitled in front of me?

"I know you two haven't even registered your marriage yet. But at least I had a wedding. What do you have? You're the mistress!" she spoke confidently, her eyes shining with pride and ambition.

I was so taken aback by her audacity that I even clapped a few times.

"You schemed with Yelena, stole my wedding dress, and took my place at the wedding. And now you're gloating? Do you really think no one sees through your plan, Aileen?"