From Small to Crazy

When Nancy realized that the guests believed her lies, her eyes filled with pride.

"Jessica, hurry up and call the hotel staff. Tell them to bring out the dishes we originally ordered: chicken, fish, seafood, all of it.

"We won't hold this against you. After all, Erick likes you."

I curled my lips slightly. My cheek still stung.

She still wanted seafood? Did she deserve it?

"Sure," I said calmly. "As long as you pay for it, you can eat whatever you want."

Erick seized my arm, anger blazing across his face. "Jessica, do you even have a conscience?"

I let out a sharp, icy laugh and tore myself free. "That's funny. You're the one who doesn't.

"Your mom only gave me 1,000 dollars for the wedding, but told everyone it was 15,000.

"Why should I spend my own money to make your family look good?"

Nancy panicked when I exposed her so directly and shouted at me. "You little liar! What nonsense are you talking about? I gave you 15,000! Don't try to deny it!"

Erick looked at me with disappointment.

"This is my wedding! My mom isn't my enemy, so why would she give you a thousand just to embarrass me?"

The guests nodded, thinking that he made sense.

Even a cheap buffet costs more than 1,000 dollars. How could a hotel wedding be done with that?

They all started criticizing me.

"People get married to build a life together. You got married just to scam your in-laws."

"One wedding and you got 130,000 dollars. Why even work? Just marry someone rich."

Their words felt like knives stabbing into me.

"A woman this cruel deserves consequences."

I did not argue anymore. Instead, I turned on the giant screen in the hall.

The transfer records and chat history Nancy had sent appeared clearly for everyone to see.

…

She had only transferred 1,000 dollars, clearly labeled as wedding preparation money.

Nancy was always like that; she would spend the least to gain the most reputation.

From the first time I met her, she gave me only 100 dollars but told others it was 10,000 to show how much she valued me.

Back then, Erick comforted me. He said his mom was short on money, but did not want others to think they did not value me.

Later, he made up the difference, so I let it go.

However, when it came to the wedding, she went even further.

Every time money was involved, she rushed to transfer a tiny amount, then exaggerated it afterward.

For my wedding dress, she sent 100, then claimed she spent over 10,000.

Then, it was about the wedding fund and the gold jewelry. She either exaggerated the amount or completely made it up.

When I complained, she confidently said, "This is for your reputation. If people knew we gave you 130,000, they'd envy you.

"Our relatives will see how much we value you."

I told Erick about it. He promised to talk to her.

However, after talking, he ended up believing her lies instead.

The guests looked at each other.

"It really is only 1,000 dollars. Nancy, that's not right."