Part 1The Matriarch's Match

My mother called me, crying, "Are you not going to care about this family anymore?"

"Your brother is bewitched by some vixen and is insisting on breaking his engagement."

"Your father went to take care of your grandmother, and ended up in bed with her caretaker."

"Your grandmother is taking your father's side, supporting his cheating, and kicked me out of the house."

"Should I just die so you can all be happy?"

Hanging up the phone, I instructed my executive assistant, "Push my schedule back. I have a personal matter to handle."

My assistant replied, "Understood, boss. How many days should I clear for you?"

"Three days will be plenty," I said.

Any longer and it would mean my methods weren't ruthless enough!

* * *

After a three-hour flight home, only my mother was there.

The moment she saw me, her face dropped, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "So you finally decided to come back?"

I glanced at her, ignoring the remark, and spoke directly to Mrs. Foster, our housekeeper, who came to greet me. "Have someone take my luggage to my room. When my brother gets back, tell him to wait. I'll see him after I sleep."

Mrs. Foster was respectful. "Yes, ma'am."

"Victoria, am I talking to you or are you deaf?" Unwilling to be ignored, my mother stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Fine, both of you are completely ignoring me now!"

"That deadbeat father of yours, and you! You're all plotting a rebellion!"

Forced to stop, I looked at my hysterical mother and told her, "To make time to come back and handle family matters, I pulled an all-nighter working. Unless you have something of critical importance, do not waste my sleeping time."

"What kind of attitude is that?" she shrieked. "I am your mother! Not your subordinate! Are you speaking to me with a tone of command?"

She was very loud.

I frowned, suppressing the irritation rising within me. "Alright, Mother. I'll give you two choices right now. One, you can continue to hound me and discuss my 'attitude problem.' I guarantee I will turn right around and go back to work, washing my hands of all family matters completely. Two, please stay quiet, and whatever you have to say, wait until I wake up."

"Did you understand?"

"If you understood, can you step aside?"

"You, you!" My mother pointed her finger at my nose, stammering over the word "you." The word rolled around in her mouth several times but never quite made it out. Instead, it morphed into pitiful, stammering sobs. "Ugh... what sin did I commit in a past life? How did I raise such an ungrateful wolf!"

Despite her cursing, she hadn't forgotten my temper and that I always do what I say.

Afraid I would actually walk away, she obediently sat back down on the sofa, not daring to block me again.

I headed upstairs to my bedroom.

I needed a shower, and then, a good sleep.

I had been up all night.

I was exhausted!