However, around noon, a commotion erupted outside. Moments later, Venice strutted in like a peacock.
Behind her, servants followed in a long line, carrying bag after bag of well-known designer brands.
Linda also swaggered in after her, chin lifted so high one might think her scumbag uncle had reconstructed her facial bones overnight.
"Mom and Dad went to register their marriage earlier," Venice announced smugly, her voice deliberately loud as though she wanted the entire neighborhood to hear. "They're officially a married couple now."
"And more importantly... look at this!" Venice pulled out a document, nearly jabbing it into Yeri's face. "See for yourself!"
Yeri raised an eyebrow and glanced down.
It was a certificate of name change, from Venice Ryung to Venice Zhi.
No matter how much Venice claimed to despise the Zhi family, compared to a surname with no status, Zhi still carried weight.
She hadn't even waited a day, applying to change her surname the moment her parents' marriage certificate was issued.
Not to be outdone, Linda pulled out her own official marriage certificate and slammed it onto the table with a triumphant smack.
Yeri "…"
It was one thing for these two parasites to disrupt her peace. But proudly parading their achievements in front of her like this, what exactly were they expecting? Applause?
Venice couldn't even hide the gleam in her eyes as she stared at Yeri, practically vibrating with eagerness to see her reaction.
Well, it seemed Linda's psychological state had improved by leaps and bounds. At least, that was what it looked like on the surface. Initially, Yeri had been worried about leaving her mother alone with those two deranged parasites.
Yeri's gaze lingered on the marriage certificate for no more than a second before she leaned back lazily in her chair.
"Congratulations, Auntie," she said mildly. "But how will Uncle Nolan explain this to that other woman? Does she even know about the marriage?"
Linda shot her a venomous glare. "You little bitch! Why should he explain anything to his mistress? Are you saying she's more deserving of being the legal wife just because she gave him a son?!"
Yeri tilted her head, feigning confusion.
"Auntie, don't misunderstand. I only meant to clarify the family structure. Transparency is important, after all."
"What family structure?" Linda snapped.
"I mean his now-illegitimate son," Yeri said plainly, without the slightest hesitation. "Blood relations don't disappear just because a marriage certificate shows up. Whether he was born inside or outside of marriage, he's still Uncle Nolan's son. Legally speaking, he's entitled to a share of Uncle Nolan's assets."
Linda's expression twisted violently.
For years, she had saved and scrimped as the woman 'who couldn't be seen'. Back then, she had been tempted to leave Nolan countless times, yet every time she wavered, his words pulled her back in. She endured hiding in his shadow, living in a cramped apartment, and supporting him emotionally.
She endured being introduced as his secretary, a friend, a neighbor, even the widow of a deceased acquaintance, a distant relative, or a colleague, but never once as his wife.
Now, that dream had finally come true. She was the rightful, legal wife. How could she possibly allow his money to be shared with anyone else?
Even worse, with that mistress and her bastard child?
Linda believed she had sacrificed far too much in this relationship. Naturally, the money should belong to her.
Divide his assets? Let that woman's son have a share? Over her dead body.
"Well, you shouldn't worry too much," Yeri continued gently, her tone innocent, almost thoughtful. "Uncle has always been generous when it comes to taking responsibility. I'm sure he has everything planned."
The last word landed like a blade.
Linda's breathing grew ragged. Her face flushed a furious red.
No one knew Nolan better than she did. She knew how badly he wanted a son, how obsessed he was with reputation, power, and climbing higher in society. She knew his schemes against the Zhi Corporation and his hunger for legacy.
There was no way he would simply abandon that bastard child.
Linda slammed her hand onto the table. "What do you even know about this matter?!"
"I don't know much," Yeri replied lightly, not flinching. "Just enough to understand inheritance law."
Venice frowned as well, clearly thinking along the same lines as her mother. Her father's assets were not something that could be brushed aside.
Linda turned to leave, her posture tense, as though she were marching into battle, but Venice stopped her.
Frowning, Venice rubbed her stomach. "Mom, calm down. Are you planning to confront Dad or that woman now? Don't be unreasonable anymore. Listen to me and just post your marriage certificate on your account."
"Post it?" Linda paused. She had planned to do that anyway.
Just like how that bitch had flaunted herself on social media, fully aware Linda was stalking her account. Linda knew that other woman would definitely check her profile.
"You're right," Linda muttered smugly to Venice. "There's no need to stoop to her level. She's the mistress now."
Listening to the two of them made Yeri feel as though her brain were tilting sideways. She really wished they could hear themselves sometimes.
---
Unexpectedly, that afternoon, the usually quiet community was shattered by loud wailing and screaming from outside.
"Who is making such a ruckus?" Madam Zhi frowned.
The butler hurried in, looking distraught, and immediately explained that there was a woman outside causing a scene, accusing the master of the house of deceiving her, lying to her, and even cheating her of her innocence.
Madam Zhi was utterly confused, but she still went out to see for herself. Yeri quickly followed behind her.
"Come out, Master Zhi, you coward! You damn liar!" the woman screamed at the top of her lungs. "You said you would take responsibility for our son, but instead you made me a mistress! I'm going to sue you! You and your entire family are scoundrels!"
"What nonsense are you spouting? You've got the wrong house!" the butler said sternly. "Keep this up and I'll call the police."
However, the woman was unfazed. Instead, she grew even more hysterical.
Even when the butler ordered two servants to remove her, she suddenly slumped to the ground. At that moment, a young boy darted out from the bushes and threw himself in front of her, crying and begging them not to bully his mother.
Normally, this wealthy neighborhood was quiet and detached, with each household minding its own business. But now, the commotion had already drawn the attention of nearby neighbors.
Madam Zhi stood there, completely dumbfounded by the woman's accusations.
Yeri gently patted her back, knowing her mother was never good with words in situations like this. "Mom, look at that boy. Didn't someone recently admit to having a son?"
Madam Zhi followed Yeri's gaze, and realization struck her like lightning. This must be Nolan Zhi's other woman and her child.
But why come here to cause trouble? And how did she even know this property belonged to the Zhi family?
Yeri, however, wasn't surprised. She had seen Linda's social media posts flaunting her marriage certificate, filled with hearts, and even shamelessly tagging her location, clearly bragging about living in a wealthy residential area.
"This is bad," Madam Zhi said anxiously. "People might think this woman is talking about Klaus."
After all, the woman kept screaming hysterically, demanding justice and shouting for "Master Zhi" to come out and face her and her son.
Sure enough, the onlookers were already murmuring, casting strange looks in their direction.
Just as Yeri was about to step forward to clarify, a familiar car arrived at the gate.
However, because the woman was blocking the entrance, it couldn't drive in.
The back door opened, and Klaus Zhi stepped out, his expression cold and imposing.
The woman glanced at him briefly before continuing her protest.
"I am the master of this house," Klaus said calmly but firmly. "I don't know you, and I certainly don't have a son of that age." He then gestured to his secretary. "Contact my lawyer. Have security remove this woman immediately."
The woman froze, clearly intimidated by his presence. But when she saw her crying son and noticed the surrounding crowd, she suddenly gathered her courage.
"When did I say you were the father of my child?" she shrieked. "I don't even know you! I'm talking about Nolan Zhi! Where is he? Tell him to come out and stop hiding like a coward!"
Before anyone could respond, a figure suddenly rushed out from inside the house and slapped the woman.
It happened so fast that no one had time to react. In the blink of an eye, the two women were already grappling on the ground, clawing at each other while hurling vicious curses.
Linda had been enjoying her afternoon nap and had woken up in a pleasant mood, intending to have some tea. But the moment she saw the woman, the very source of her nightmares and despair over the past few weeks, Nolan's betrayal, her grievances, and years of resentment all surged to her head.
It was as if she had smelled blood. Like a rabid dog, she lunged at her mortal enemy.
Everyone was so shocked that they simply stood frozen. Even when Master Zhi ordered security to separate them, it was almost futile.
Both women seemed injected with adrenaline, fierce and relentless, determined to tear the other apart.
Indeed, no one knew how many times Linda had lost to this younger woman in the past, especially with Nolan Zhi always taking the other woman's side, even threatening Linda with the police or a mental institution if she continued harassing the mother and son.
Each time, she could only retreat in humiliation, swallowing her grievances and crying alone like a drenched stray dog abandoned on the street.
But this time was different.
She was now the legal wife. She no longer had to hold back or fear Nolan's wrath.
Yeri watched as the former mistress and the new mistress fought as though their lives depended on it, scratching, screaming, cursing, both already disheveled beyond recognition.
And all for what? For that scumbag uncle of hers.