I was in San Aria Bay with my mom, enjoying a quiet, sunlit getaway, when my phone suddenly lit up with a string of messages from my husband's ever-arrogant secretary.

She sent a photo.

The woman in it had been stripped naked, her body covered in blood, the sight almost unbearable.

A voice message followed, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Jeannie, do people like you always take advantage of others like this?

"Mr. Smith just bought this house, and you already had your mother move in for free? As his chief secretary, it's my responsibility to remove anyone living off him."

"This is what your mom gets for breaking into someone else's house!"

I froze on the spot, my whole body going stiff. I snapped my head up and stared across the room. My mom, Amy Wallace, was sitting there calmly, sipping coconut water like nothing had happened.

Frowning, I looked closely at the bloody photo on my phone. When I saw the details clearly, my heart skipped a beat.

Wait… wasn't that my mother-in-law?

Rage exploded in my chest. I immediately dialed Linda Rogers.

"Linda, have you lost your mind? The woman in that picture is my husband's mother!"

On the other end, she let out an icy laugh, completely unfazed.

"Mr. Smith said it himself. Your mom is your mom. His mom is his mom. He's never considered your poor excuse of a mother part of the family."

Then the crazy woman hung up on me.

That involved a human life. I did not dare waste even a second. While frantically booking a return flight and rushing toward the airport, I called Nash Smith.

"Nash, something terrible happened! Mom was attacked by Linda in your new villa. She's badly hurt. You need to get people over there now…"

"Enough. Drop the act." Nash cut me off calmly, his voice dripping with disgust.

"I think Linda did the right thing. She got what she deserved."

I was stunned. "Have you lost your mind? Do you even hear yourself right now?"

He let out a long sigh, sounding completely fed up.

"Jeannie, yeah, we're married. However, that doesn't mean your mom gets to ignore basic social boundaries. Don't think slapping the title 'mother-in-law' on herself gives her the right to keep eyeing my wallet, mooching off me, and freeloading everywhere."

My throat went hoarse from panic. "You've got it wrong! The one who got hurt is your…"

"Shut up!"

Nash snapped impatiently.

"So what if it is your mother? I'm not obligated to tolerate her greed.”

"She sneaks into my villa today to live there for free. Tomorrow she'll show up at my company's finance department asking for a check.”

"Linda was just teaching her a lesson for me. Setting some rules so she doesn't go out and embarrass herself in the future. It's for her own good."

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water, drenching my already anxious heart until it went cold.

My mom, Amy, had spent her whole life tied to a small patch of land, but she was honest to the core. She would never take advantage of anyone, not even a little. When it came to Nash, she gave him everything.

Back when he started his business and needed capital, Amy did not hesitate for a second. She handed over her entire life savings to support him.

She knew he had a sensitive stomach. No matter how exhausted she was, she would still cook all kinds of nourishing meals herself and sit through dozens of hours on a long-distance bus just to bring them into the city for him.

Yet, that woman who treated him like her own son had, in his mouth, turned into some shameless, greedy parasite who deserved to be beaten.

My heart went numb. Even my voice turned icy.

"Nash, the person in that photo is seriously injured. She might not make it. I suggest you call an ambulance immediately. After all, she's the one who raised you. That wasn't easy."

He exploded instantly.

"Jeannie, are you out of your mind? When did your mother ever raise me? Is she even worthy of that?”

"No wonder Linda couldn't hold back. With a daughter like you spouting nonsense all the time, that old woman totally deserved that beating.”

"My real mom is flying back from overseas soon. I'm busy planning a top-tier surprise party and a welcome banquet for her. I don't have time for your ridiculous drama."

With that, he hung up.

On the way to the airport, I scrolled through Nash's social media.

There was only one line, written like he thought it was deeply emotional:

"The queen is finally returning to her palace. I finally get to show what a devoted son I am."

Expressionless, I tapped the like button.

I was honestly curious.

'What will that "devoted son" look like… when he realizes the woman Linda nearly killed is his own mother?' The thought lingered.

By evening, I arrived at Nash's mansion.

The front yard had been decorated in a way that was over-the-top and flashy. Flowers and balloons were everywhere. Hanging right over the entrance was a bold banner:

"Welcome Home, Mom!"

Behind it stood a gold-and-white balloon backdrop, with strings of lights twinkling nonstop, making the whole place look loud and extravagant.

Under the banner, almost all the relatives and friends had gathered. They held champagne and cocktails, chatting, and clinking glasses. The atmosphere was lively, but it felt forced, like everyone was trying a little too hard.

The moment I stepped in, every single pair of eyes turned toward me. Their expressions shifted, subtle and strange.

I walked a few steps forward, and that was when I saw it.

In a dark corner of the yard, there was a body lying still under a white sheet.

My blood ran cold.

At that moment, Linda strutted over in her high heels, putting on her fake, sugary act.

"Jeannie, I only meant to teach your mom a small lesson. Who knew her health was so bad? Her heart just gave out on the spot."

She tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

"You're a reasonable person, right? You're not going to hold it against a little secretary like me, are you?"

So… my mother-in-law had actually been beaten to death by this lunatic?

My heart pounded wildly as I was about to expose the truth.

However, before I could speak, Nash strode over, pulled Linda into his arms, and comforted her gently.

"Linda, don't blame yourself. You were protecting my interests. You did nothing wrong.”

"If anyone's to blame, it's her. Short life, bad choices.”

"And the fact that you didn't ask Jeannie for emotional damages? That's already being generous for my sake."

After soothing Linda, Nash turned to me with an icy expression, his eyes full of contempt.

"Jeannie, take a good look at the mess your mom caused.”

"She dies in my house, fine. However, she scared Linda and ruined the welcome party I prepared for my mom. This is just bad luck all around."

Looking at his righteous expression, I almost laughed out loud.

I pointed straight at the white sheet and said, slowly and clearly,

"Nash, I'm warning you one last time. Go lift that sheet yourself and see who's really dead."

His brows twisted into a tight knot.

"Isn't it just your poor excuse of a mother? What's there to see?”

"My eyes are meant for important things. I'm not about to ruin them by looking at garbage like that."

His younger sister, Shirley Smith, immediately jumped in, her voice sharp and mocking.

"My brother spent a fortune buying this house just to welcome my mom back. And before the real guest even arrives, your mom sneaks in and takes over a room. Shameless."

She let out an icy laugh, her tone growing even harsher.

"Honestly, if someone like her just disappeared one day, it would be a good thing. At least she wouldn't embarrass the Smith family anymore."

She looked me up and down, her eyes full of disdain.

"You don't actually think you've made it, do you? Even if you manage to squeeze your way in, your whole family will never belong in our world."

With the siblings praising Linda to the skies, the rest of the relatives quickly followed suit, switching to mockery mode.

"Exactly. A mother-in-law who can't keep her hands clean? She's better off gone."

"This time she died in the house. What if next time she gets caught stealing outside? Where would the Smith family's reputation go?"

"Right? People might start thinking the Smith family runs some kind of shelter."

"So honestly, Ms. Rogers did a great job clearing out the problem in one go."

In an instant, Linda became the star of the night, surrounded and praised like a hero.

As if the woman lying dead there was some unforgivable criminal, and Linda was justice itself.

Linda shot me a smug look. The next second, she switched back into her fragile act, shrinking into Nash's arms and whimpering softly.

"However, Mr. Smith, the deceased is still Jeannie's mother. What if she goes crazy and sues me? I'm so scared."

Nash patted her gently, his expression soft with affection.

"Don't worry, babe. I've got you."

Then, right there on the spot, he pulled out a prepared settlement agreement and tossed it in front of me like he was throwing scraps to a beggar.

"Jeannie, your mom crossed the line first. Her sudden death is on her. It has nothing to do with Linda.”

"For the sake of our marriage, I won't hold you accountable for her breaking into the house or ruining the party.”

"However, right now, you need to sign this agreement. Promise you won't cause trouble for Linda in the future. Once you sign, this whole thing is over."

Shirley crossed her arms and lifted her chin, looking down at me like she was some kind of judge. She let out an icy snort.

"Jeannie, your mom brought this on herself. Don't try that pathetic act in front of me, blaming everything on Linda." She paused impatiently, then jerked her chin forward. "Just sign it. Stop wasting time."

The two of them stood there like they were handing down a sentence, waiting for me to bow my head and obey.

I did not even bother looking up. I casually pushed the stack of papers back toward them, my tone as calm as if we were talking about the weather.

"I'm not qualified to sign that. You should keep it for yourselves."

Nash's voice shot up instantly when he saw I was not giving in. It turned dark and threatening.

"Jeannie, don't push your luck.”

"Someone like your mom, living on the edge of society, what value does she even have? She just takes up space. Linda is young, with a bright future ahead of her. Are you really going to drag her whole life into hell over a dead person?"

Shirley jumped in right away, frowning like she was disgusted.

"Exactly. Your mom being alive was already a waste of resources. What Linda did was basically a public service.”

"And instead of thanking her, you're trying to squeeze money out of this?"

I looked at them and calmly dropped the truth.

"I think you two are the ones confused. The person lying there is your actual mother. This agreement? No one else signing it will mean anything except you."

The moment Shirley heard that, she exploded. Her voice jumped an octave.

"Jeannie, are you insane? How dare you say something like that at my mom's welcome party? Are you trying to start trouble on purpose?"

Nash's expression darkened too. The veins on his forehead bulged as his anger spiked.

"Jeannie, have I spoiled you too much over the years? Is that why you've become this out of control, with zero respect left?”

"She is my emotional anchor. She's my whole world. If anyone dares touch a single hair on her head, I'll make them regret being born. Even you."

After shouting that, he spun around and barked at the security guards behind him.

"Go. Take care of that old woman's mess. Throw it straight into the septic tank."

The guard flinched, his face full of hesitation. "Mr. Smith, this… this might be a bit much. What if…"

Nash cut him off, practically hysterical. "She refuses to sign, right? Likes to run her mouth, right? Then today I'll show her exactly what happens when you mess with my mother.”

"Do it. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."

Seeing the boss completely lose it, the guards did not dare argue anymore. Gritting their teeth, they stepped forward to carry out the order.

Around us, the well-dressed guests were giving me strange looks. Whispered conversations floated around, rising and falling like waves.

"Jeannie really picked the wrong person to mess with this time. She actually crossed Mr. Smith's line."

"Exactly. His dad died early. His mom raised him all by herself. She's the most important person in his life. And now she's making a scene like this at the welcome party. She's lost it."

"With a daughter like that, what parent wouldn't be dragged down sooner or later?"

The sharp, cutting whispers came one after another, like tiny needles pricking at the skin.

However, I did not take a single word to heart. I stared straight at Nash, my face blank, and asked slowly, "Nash, are you sure you want to tear away the last bit of dignity left?"

He looked down at me like I was nothing, his eyes harsh and sharp.

"Jeannie, you brought this on yourself.”

"What happened to your mom is her own fault. People who chase small gains always pay the price.”

"However, what you shouldn't have done is keep saying those inappropriate things here, again and again, humiliating my mom."

His voice was as icy as a blade, leaving no room for mercy.

"In the end, with a daughter like you, with no manners and no boundaries, she probably didn't have it easy all these years. Maybe for her, this is a release."

The words had barely fallen.

Then, out of nowhere, my mom, Amy casually walked into the villa garden. She looked at Nash, completely confused.

"Who passed away? Who are you all talking about?"

The moment Nash saw Amy standing right in front of him, alive and well, he froze on the spot.