Seeing that I had no intention of paying up, Cami began to persuade me earnestly.

"Lyndis, you've just gotten married to James, so it's normal that you don't understand the family situation yet. It's alright—I'll explain, and then you'll see.

"Samantha has been part of this family for ten years. Over those years, she's taken very good care of James.

"As the saying goes, the elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Your sister-in-law has contributed so much to this family over the past decade—you should feel grateful for everything she's done."

I was so angry I laughed. Turning to James, I asked bluntly, "Dear, did you grow up drinking your sister-in-law's milk ten years ago?"

James choked on his own saliva, his face turning as red as an apple.

"Of course not! Don't talk nonsense!"

"Then why does Mom want you to be grateful to Samantha? Sounded like she raised you or something."

Samantha flew into a rage, pointing at my nose. "You! You! You have no manners at all! Were you raised that filthy, or are you just rotten at heart?"

James hurried to placate her. "Samantha, don't be angry. Lyndis is young—don't stoop to her level. We'll pay the 25,000 dollars. You've worked hard taking care of Mom all these years. I'll transfer the money to you right now."

With that, James generously transferred 25,000 dollars to Samantha.

That sum was his entire savings from five years of work—money he had originally been saving for me.

Just this morning, I had handed it back to him because he said he wanted to start a business.

Since it wasn't my money, I didn't stop him.

Only after receiving the money did Samantha's expression improve. She immediately began preparing to move, ordering me around as if I were a maid.

"Lyndis, hurry up and help me move. I've got quite a lot of things. Contact a moving company. Make sure it's a good one—don't hire anything cheap or unreliable."

I stood there, letting out a cold laugh. Suddenly, Cami grabbed my hand and pulled me toward Samantha's house.

"Lyndis, just treat it as exercise for weight loss. Normally, you'd have to pay to go to the gym. Now you can help your sister-in-law move and get a free workout."

She dragged me all the way there.

But I didn't lift a finger. I simply stood aside, watching them work.

From time to time, Samantha shot me disapproving glances, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Some people are just born lazy. Not like me—I was born to work hard, running around all day long. James, wouldn't you agree?"

James busied himself helping her move, smiling as he flattered her.

"You're a virtuous wife and a loving mother. Now that the family is better off, you won't have to work so hard anymore."

For the first time, I found James's handsome face utterly repulsive.

And in that moment, I finally understood—marriage isn't just about two people loving each other. It's truly a union between two families.

The gentlemanly grace and refinement he had shown me throughout our four years in college now felt like flaws I could no longer tolerate.

I couldn't be bothered with them anymore. Picking up my phone, I headed out.

But as soon as I reached the door, it started to rain. That was when I suddenly remembered—the car keys were with James.

I turned back to get them. Just as my hand touched the metal doorknob, I heard Samantha say, "Lyndis is spoiled absolutely rotten. Someone like her? Forget cooking or doing laundry—she wouldn't even bother tipping an oil bottle back up if it fell over.

"When it comes to taking care of Mom in her old age, it's still going to fall on me! If you're expecting anything from Lyndis—let me be blunt—even if Mom had to eat shit, Lyndis wouldn't get it to her while it was still warm."

Cami jumped in, clearly eager to stay on Samantha's good side. "Samantha, I've always known you're the better daughter-in-law. I'll be counting on you going forward. Lyndis is a pampered young lady. Just taking care of her own parents someday will be more than enough of a burden for her. How could I ever rely on her?"

Samantha let out a cold snort. "Mom, you can't play favorites. If Lyndis won't put in the effort, then she should at least contribute money."

"Yes, yes, of course," Cami agreed immediately. "I'll definitely make her pay. You gave me my eldest grandson—you're the greatest contributor in my eyes. Don't worry, I'm on your side."

At that moment, I no longer felt like leaving. They wanted to take advantage of me? What a ridiculous daydream.

When I stepped inside, James was right there. Which meant he had heard every word his mother and sister-in-law said about me—and yet he stood there like a bystander, silently enjoying the spectacle.

Samantha glanced up at me without the slightest hint of guilt. "Did you call the moving company?"

"No."

Her expression darkened as she was about to lose her temper, but James quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Samantha, I'll call them. I'll handle it."

She shot me another look before continuing with her tasks.

Once the movers arrived, all the heavy lifting was handed over to them.

Cami, exhausted, pounded her back and suddenly turned her gaze on me. "Lyndis, we've all been working hard all day. We're tired—why don't you make dinner tonight?"

I was just about to snap back when James shot me a look, signaling me not to lose my temper.

He smiled and intervened. "Mom, Lyndis doesn't know how to cook."

Samantha sneered. "The rich girl really is something else. Spoiled at home by her mother, and now she's acting like a delicate flower after marrying into our family? How's someone like that supposed to take care of a husband and children?"

Afraid of upsetting Samantha, Cami whipped around to me. "Lyndis, if you can't cook, then forget it. You can take us out to a restaurant instead. You just married into this family—it's only right you treat everyone to a nice meal."

Before I could answer, James jumped in, scared I might refuse. "Of course, of course. We're family. It's only right."

I was practically dragged by him into a five-star hotel.

Well, this was clearly a coordinated effort to fleece me.

Samantha ordered only the most expensive dishes.

Cami, like someone seeing the city for the first time, beamed as she said, "I've never had Lafite from '82 before—let's get a few bottles."

Then she turned to me. "Lyndis, you don't mind, do you?"

"Mom, you're overthinking it," James cut in. "Lyndis' family is quite well-off. Why would she care about a little money?"

I smiled faintly, my meaning unclear. "That's true. We're not some ultra-wealthy family, but we're certainly not short on money."

Cami's face lit up. "Then I'll go ahead and order."

"You go ahead and order whatever you like," I said lightly. "Don't worry about me—I won't be joining. I'm not hungry, and I won't be eating. I'm just here to keep you company. Enjoy yourselves."

Hearing that, Cami and Samantha added several more expensive dishes.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the server came with the bill.

"Hello, your total comes to 88,500 dollars."

No one moved. Every pair of eyes turned to me, waiting for me to pay.

"Why are you all looking at me?" I said coolly. "I didn't touch a single dish—not one bite."

Cami's expression changed instantly. She forced an awkward smile as she scolded, "We agreed you'd treat us. You knew exactly what we were ordering—what do you mean by refusing to pay now?"

I smiled as if watching a show unfold. "I never agreed to that. Besides, I don't treat strangers to meals—especially not meals this expensive."

"James, you need to keep your wife in line," Samantha said, speaking like she owned the family. "What does she mean by calling us strangers? Making a public scene—does she think that's amusing?" Her glance at James alone was enough to make a command of it.

James's older brother, Nick Carter, weighed in, irritation lacing his voice. "You married James. You're a Carter now. How can you call us strangers? That's completely inappropriate."

Concerned about saving face, James snapped at me, "Lyndis, stop making a scene. It's not like you're short on money. Why are you acting like this? Just pay the bill already. Don't make things more embarrassing."

I let out a mocking laugh. "I'm absolutely not paying. First, I never agreed to treat you. Second, I didn't eat a single bite. You dragged me here—I'm only here to keep you company."

Cami's expression darkened as she slammed her hand on the table. The dishes rattled, the sharp sound cutting through the room.

"You just married into this family, and you're already stirring up trouble like this. It seems like you've got no interest in building a real life with James anymore."

Samantha quickly added, "I've heard Lyndis buys handbags that cost tens of thousands without batting an eye, yet when it comes to treating her family to a meal, she's suddenly so stingy!"

"'My family'?" I repeated, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Which one of you is my family? How come I didn't realize I had family here?"

My words finally pushed James over the edge. He stood up and shouted at me, "Are you done yet? It's just one meal! Do you really have to make the whole family look bad?"

It was the first time he had ever raised his voice at me. In seven years of dating, he had always been gentle and refined—nothing like the man standing before me now.

I rose to my feet as well, meeting his gaze with cold indifference.

"James, can't you tell? I don't want to be with you anymore."

Cami could no longer sit still. She stood up and sneered at me.

"Don't try to scare my son with that trick. Everyone knows you were the one chasing after him, begging him to marry you! You love my son to death. Otherwise, why would you marry him without asking for anything?

"Lyndis, put away that spoiled young-lady temper of yours. I advise you to stop this nonsense. If James gets angry and leaves you, I won't stop him!"

I burst out laughing, genuinely amused. "There's no need for me to beg him. I'm the one who doesn't want him anymore. So you can figure out how to pay for this table yourselves."

Seeing the situation spiral, the server stepped in cautiously.

"Please decide who will settle the bill as soon as possible. If not, we will have to call the police."

At the mention of the police, Samantha grew even more unsettled.

"Lyndis, if a single meal ruins your marriage with James, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Our raised voices had already drawn the attention of other diners, who began peeking out from their private rooms to watch the commotion.

Watching their mixture of panic and anger, I felt a quiet thrill of satisfaction.

"Samantha, don't worry about me—worry about yourself instead. Tell me, if I show them this, do you think you'll still be able to stay in the Carter family?"

I walked over to her and pulled up a photo on my phone, holding it out for her to see.

The moment she glanced at it, her face drained of color. Panic flashed in her eyes as she lunged forward, trying to snatch my phone.