Part 3A Family Built on Lies

The next day, I went to Dad's company under the pretext of delivering some documents, intending to gather more evidence.

But I was stopped before I even made it through the entrance.

The new receptionist didn't even look up. "Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm here to see Austin Bennett." I held up the insulated lunch container in my hand. "I'm bringing him lunch."

She let out a mocking laugh and shot me a scornful glance. "Mrs. Bennett just brought him food. She's in his office with him right now. Who are you? Looking for a sugar daddy? Well, our CEO isn't into that kind of thing!"

I froze.

Mrs. Bennett?

But my mom was clearly at home.

Before I could react, the elevator chimed, and the doors opened. Kendra stepped out carrying a Hermes bag. Several employees gathered around her, calling her "Mrs. Bennett."

When she saw me, she stopped in her tracks.

"What are you doing here?" She looked me up and down, taking in my work clothes. "I told you I'd buy it, and I will! Following me to the office won't change anything!"

The receptionist hurried to ingratiate herself with Kendra. "Mrs. Bennett, he says he's here to bring lunch to Mr. Bennett!"

Kendra paused, as if she'd suddenly thought of something. She gently ran her fingers over her necklace and said smugly, "Young man, my husband spoils me rotten. Whatever I say goes. There's no need for you to suck up to him."

She leaned closer, her perfume overwhelming. "But if you make a scene in front of him, you might lose your job."

Snickers broke out around us.

I tightened my grip on the lunch container. "You've misunderstood. I'm..."

"I'm what?" she interrupted. "Jealous that he's buying me a house? What? You want to steal my man? Next time you get an idea like that, maybe check your own gender first!"

One of the employees chimed in sycophantically, "Everyone knows how much Mr. Bennett dotes on his wife! He even rented out an entire restaurant for her birthday!"

I stared at the diamond watch on Kendra's wrist. It was exactly the same as the imitation Dad had given Mom last year.

"Did you hear that?" She flicked my name badge. "You're a real estate agent? You could sell houses your entire life and still not earn enough to buy even one of the diamonds on my watch."

Before I could react, Kendra suddenly snatched my phone away. "Let's see... How many pictures have you secretly taken of my husband?"

I lunged forward and snatched it back. "Give it back!"

She staggered backward theatrically. "Security! This lunatic is trying to attack me!"

A uniformed security guard grabbed my shoulder and pinned me in place.

Kendra toyed with her car keys, the Porsche logo glaringly obvious.

"Poor people are so pathetic." She sighed. "They have to spend their lives fantasizing about other people's husbands."

Outside the glass doors, Dad's assistant walked past carrying some documents. He bowed to Kendra. "Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennett asked you to choose the color for your new car."

I was shoved through the revolving door and thrown out.

Under the scorching sun, I opened my phone.

Kendra had just updated her social media.

[Some little punk harassed me. He said he wanted to buy me an even more expensive car to make up for the shock.]

The photo showed a chat with Dad. [Baby, I'm sorry you had to go through that. Tomorrow, I'll take you to look at a Rolls-Royce.]

Meanwhile, in our family group chat, Mom had asked: [Austin, the refrigerator is completely broken. Can you transfer $100 so we can get it repaired?]

Dad hadn't replied at all.

The next second, a text from Kendra came through.

[The location for signing the property contract has changed. We're doing it at the Bennett Group midyear conference instead! I want to give him a surprise!]

[You little cheek. You must be furious, huh? Too bad being angry won't help you.]

[I'll be receiving my gifts in front of everyone, while you'll be sitting below the stage, staring up at me like a pathetic loser.]

As I read her messages, I didn't feel the slightest bit of anger. Instead, I felt a flicker of excitement.

Perfect. The stage would be big enough, and there would be plenty of people watching.

And the gift I'd prepared would be more than big enough.