Gilded Lies Exposed

After several rounds of drinks, Rosalie’s face flushed slightly, and her confidence grew bolder.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse under the table. Drake’s foot was deliberately brushing against Rosalie’s calf.

"Drake, back when we played house as kids, I always said I’d marry you when we grew up." Rosalie, emboldened by alcohol, stared at him with a hazy gaze. "Too bad I was young and foolish back then. I left to chase opportunities in another city and made you suffer all those years."

Drake’s eyes softened as he let out a sentimental sigh. "Yeah. If you hadn’t left back then, I wouldn’t have…" He shot me a glance, his eyes filled with disdain. "…ended up marrying a washed-up woman."

I lowered my head and continued eating, pretending not to hear, but inside, I let out a cold laugh.

"It’s fine! It’s not too late now!" Rosalie suddenly slammed her hand on the table. "Once the New Year’s over and I join Halcyon Group, I’ll be making hundreds of thousands a year to start! I’ll buy a big house and bring you over to enjoy life with me!"

"Really, Rosalie?" Diana’s eyes widened. "Your aunt really has that kind of influence?"

"Of course!" Rosalie proudly pulled out her phone and flipped to a photo. "See this? That’s my Aunt Zara! General Manager of the Project Division at Halcyon Group! A real executive, handling projects worth hundreds of millions. Even the top bosses in our city have to bow their heads when they see her."

I glanced up at the photo.

A slightly overweight middle-aged woman stood in front of an Audi, flashing a peace sign.

It was indeed Zara.

I set down my chopsticks, pulled out a napkin, and wiped my mouth. "Oh? Zara Finn is your aunt? Then I really should thank her properly."

"What, you don’t believe me?" Rosalie let out a scornful laugh. "Let me tell you something, you’re not even worthy of saying my aunt’s name. At Halcyon Group, aside from the mysterious big boss, my aunt calls the shots!"

"Is that so?" I smiled faintly, my gaze steady. "I hope she’s still that confident when the time comes."

Drake rolled his eyes at me. "Liana, cut the sarcasm. Rosalie was kind enough to offer you a job. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but don’t put on airs. Finish eating and clean up the table. Stop making yourself an eyesore."

I stood up without arguing.

Back in the bedroom, I left the door slightly ajar, just enough to hear the living room.

The sounds of clinking glasses gradually faded, replaced by hushed whispers.

"Mom, I can’t stand another day with her. I want a divorce." Drake’s voice carried a hint of drunkenness, but more than that, undisguised disgust.

"Really?" Diana’s voice shot up before she quickly lowered it again. "Then, what about Liana? She might be spineless, but she’s stubborn. What if she refuses to leave?"

At that, I held my breath.

Drake let out a cold snort. "Refuses to leave? That’s not up to her. Mom, didn’t we already plan this? In a bit, I’ll tell her my cousin needs money to buy a house and ask her for $100,000. We’ll get the money first."

My heart sank.

"Yes, yes!" Diana agreed eagerly. "Get the money first. Then we’ll pick a fight and force her to sign the divorce papers."

"What about those gold bangles?" Rosalie suddenly asked. "From the look of them, even if you said they’re fake, what if they’re real? Should we get them checked?"

"Checked for what?" Diana scoffed. "With how poor she looks, could she afford the real thing? I already looked. The clasp is worn. Definitely gold-plated junk. Keeping them is just taking up space. When the divorce happens, we’ll toss them back to her as bus fare so she can’t say we took advantage of her."

"Hahaha, Aunt Diana, that’s brilliant!" Rosalie laughed crudely. "By then, she’ll lose both her money and everything else, crying as she gets kicked out!"

"Rosalie, you have to treat me well then," Drake said in a syrupy voice. "For you, I’m willing to ruin my reputation."

"Don’t worry, baby. Tonight…" Rosalie’s voice turned suggestive, trailing off. "Tonight we’ll…"

I stood in the dim bedroom, fists clenched, my nails digging deep into my palms until they drew blood.

I took out my phone and sent a message to my assistant, Caleb Rhodes: "Notify HR. Terminate Zara Finn immediately for abuse of authority."