The neighbors—Mrs. Gable and Mr. Henderson—were out walking their dogs. They stopped and stared. They saw the tow truck dragging David’s Audi away. They saw Elena, the “poor daughter-in-law,” stepping into a car worth half a million dollars.
Inside the Roberts’ house, chaos reigned.
“Fix this!” David screamed at Clara. “She’s your sister-in-law! Call her back! Beg her!”
“Me?” Clara shrieked. “Mom threw the dress! This is Mom’s fault!”
“Stop blaming me!” Brenda yelled, sinking into a chair. “How was I supposed to know? She wears rags! She cleans the dishes!”
David’s phone—which he had wiped off with a napkin—buzzed again. An email notification.
Subject: Legal Notice regarding Misappropriation of Funds.
Body: Mr. Miller, an audit of your expense accounts has revealed irregularities. Nova Group legal team will be in contact regarding restitution.
David dropped into his chair, head in his hands. “It’s over. They’re going to audit me. I charged the family vacation to the company card. They’re going to sue me for everything.”
Meanwhile, in the back of the Maybach, the atmosphere was quiet.
Lily sat on the plush leather seat, tracing the stitching. “Mommy? Are you really a boss?”
Elena hugged her tight. “I am, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted you to have a normal life.”
“Is Grandma bad?”
“Grandma is… confused about what matters,” Elena said diplomatically.
The car pulled up to Le Jardin, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. Mark was waiting outside. He looked handsome in his suit, but his face was etched with worry.
When the car stopped, he opened the door himself. He saw Lily’s red eyes. He saw the missing dress—Lily was in her tights and undershirt, wrapped in Elena’s coat.
He didn’t need to ask.
“They did it, didn’t they?” Mark asked, his voice rough.
“Your mother threw the dress in the trash compactor,” Elena said simply.
Mark closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, and when he opened them, the last traces of the “dutiful son” were gone.
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