I skirted around Mae as Hayes entered from outside, pulling my suitcase behind me.

Upon seeing us, he asked eagerly, "Is everyone outside gone? Did you sort it out?"

Mae snapped bitterly, "Your darling daughter-in-law is working hand-in-hand with those people to bring a lawsuit against our son. Of course, they're delighted!"

Hayes was incredulous. "What?! Lawsuit against our son? What's the basis?"

I couldn't help but let out a cynical laugh. "You want to know the basis? Simple: your son took off with their money!"

Confronted by my blunt declaration of the facts, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Mae immediately shifted to play the victim, protesting, "How dare you talk such nonsense! Our son has vanished into thin air, and here you are making heartless comments. Have you no compassion?"

I scoffed, "It's a shame you both missed your calling as actors."

Turning to Hayes, I remarked icily, "So concerned about your son, yet you find time for games and coffee breaks. Can't tell if you're calm under pressure or just have nerves of steel."

Hayes quickly refuted, "Did you see me playing chess and sipping coffee with your own eyes? I was at the police station asking for updates on Jayson!"

I rolled my suitcase to the doorway, giving Hayes a pointed look.

"Then the station must serve terrific coffee since you left with evidence of your enjoyment still on your lips."

In a fluster, Hayes wiped his mouth as Mae shot him a look full of disappointment and anger.

Dismissing the drama behind me, I walked away from this nest of vipers without a backward glance.

Mae pursued me, shouting furiously, "Theodora, don't think you can simply walk away from this! You can run, but you can't hide!"

I shrugged off her wrath, unconcerned about them chasing me down. After all, creditors had been prowling around the neighborhood for days.

Arriving at my parents' home with my suitcase, I could read the worry on their faces.

"Mom, there's no need to fret. I've distanced myself from Jayson's mess. I promise I'll be alright."

My mom exhaled deeply, anxiety threading her voice. "Those creditors stormed into our shop like wolves, scaring me half to death. You and Jayson are married. How can you say it has nothing to do with you?"

"I've already spoken with a lawyer. As long as I can demonstrate that his debts were racked up without my knowledge and weren't for household expenses, I won't be held liable."

My mom looked unconvinced. "Really?"

I reassured her with certainty, "Really. Do I seem like someone with something to hide?"

My dad joined in, trying to ease her worries, concerned about her health.

Two years back, when my mom was critically ill, Jayson was there for everything, his attentiveness swaying me into accepting his proposal.

After our marriage, following his advice, I quit my job to start our family, cared for his parents, and managed our home.

Little did I realize, his interest lay solely in our family's prospects and my accommodating personality, seeking a convenient spouse.

Perhaps his heart was never fully mine, and when the company floundered, he turned to this opportunistic scheme.

Jayson Hernandez is a cold-hearted man who doesn't deserve any more of my efforts. It's time for him to face the consequences of his actions.

After packing my bags and forwarding all the necessary documents to the lawyer, I left everything else in his capable hands. The creditors have collectively filed a lawsuit against Jayson Hernandez, and to prevent him from shifting assets, they’ve applied for a court order to freeze them. As his spouse, I am cooperating fully with the legal proceedings.

When the house where Mae and Hayes live was seized, Mae created quite a scene, confronting the entire enforcement team. She threw herself on the ground, kicking and screaming as she shouted, "It's robbery! It's murder!"

"Officials bullying us elderly folks—is this how the government treats people?" I stood next to the court officers with my arms crossed, watching with a detached expression.

The staff appeared perplexed and shot me a pleading look: "After we secure the property, they can still reside here; the ownership just can't change. We're merely delivering the preservation notice. It shouldn’t have escalated this far, right?"

I smirked and replied, "Well, if they insist on making a scene, there's not much I can do."

Committed to cooperating fully, I didn't want to complicate matters for everyone. I cupped my hands around my mouth and called out to Mae, "Mom! The court says you can continue living here. If you keep causing a fuss, the creditors will come after you!"

Mae stopped her wailing at the mention of the creditors, and calm was briefly restored. I crouched down to warn her, "This asset freeze is something the creditors requested to properly manage Jayson Hernandez's debts. If you don't cooperate legally, then..."

I pressed my lips together, "I won't be able to help you either, especially since you're still residing in this house. After Jayson has been missing for two years, I can file to have him declared legally missing, then apply for divorce, and his matters will be entirely separate from mine."

"You heartless snake!" She spat, but I ignored her retort and informed the court officers, "You can have her sign now."

Mae reluctantly accepted the document and scribbled her name. Turning to the court officers, I added, "Also, Jayson’s company might require an accountant for an audit as it moves towards bankruptcy proceedings."

Mae froze at the word "bankruptcy," and she clutched my clothes, pleading, "No bankruptcy! We can't let Jayson's company go under!"

"Theodora, think of something—ask your parents to sell their house to save the company!"

Her naive plea didn’t surprise me, but it was too much for those present. Several curious onlookers among the creditors began to whisper among themselves.