billion book
Chapter 4
While Leanne was tucking into her meatloaf and mashed potatoes, her phone buzzed with a call from Jennifer, Curtis’ mother, asking her to come home today.
She agreed, ended the call, and looked down at her half-finished plate, suddenly losing her appetite.-
After clocking out from work in the afternoon, her driver, Jake, picked her up, and she settled into the car’s backseat.
The retro garden that surrounded the family estate, with its sprawling lawns and century-old oak trees, was a place Leanne knew well. She had grown up there.
After her parents’ tragic accident, she spent a few years bouncing around foster homes before being taken in by the Richardson family. But it was more like sponsorship than adoption.
If Stonebridge society was a pyramid, the Richardson family sat at the top, a stratum. untouched by the common folk.
For an orphan like Leanne, being taken in by the Richardson family was like hitting the jackpot. She even married Curtis, which secured her place in the family registry.
Sitting in the living room, Leanne waited until Jennifer descended the staircase, dressed in an elegantly tailored dress.
“I heard you sent Laura away?” asked Jennifer.
Leanne wasn’t surprised she knew. “Did she come crying to you?”
After marrvi
marrying Curtis, the Richardson family sent Laura to be Leanne’s housekeeper. Laura was efficient and meticulous.
With Curtis away on business most of the year, it was just Leanne and Laura, so she treated Laura kindly, sharing gourmet food and giving bonuses during holidays.
Laura’s job was easy. Leanne was busy with work and rarely fussed over the small stuff.
One day, needing a document for the hospital and unable to find Laura or reach her by phone, Leanne tracked her down at a garden.
Laura’s friends teased, “Aren’t you afraid Mrs. Richardson will scold you for being late?”
Immersed in her her sunbathing, Laura had no intention of leaving.
“She’s too busy with work to come home now,” she replied, “Besides, my paycheck comes from the Richardson family, not her. What can she do to me if she finds out?”
“But she’s Mrs. Richardson. A little pillow talk and she could have you sacked.”
11:13
“Please.” Laura scoffed, “Mr. Curtis hardly comes home once a year. She has no pillow talk to offer.”
One of the women gossiped, “So their marriage is on the rocks?”
“They’d just started their life together when he bolted to Emberland, chasing some sweetheart from his past. To him, she was just a convenient wife, more of a pain than a partner.”
“So, a woman needs to have some tricks up her sleeve. Beauty alone won’t keep a man.”
Everyone loved a juicy bit of gossip, but Leanne never expected to hear such piercing words from Laura, whom she had treated so well.
Caught off guard, Laura nearly had a fall when she saw Leanne standing there, and she fumbled through an apology.
Leanne didn’t react much but told Laura to retrieve the misplaced document. That evening, she had Laura dismissed.
Jennifer sat down, saying, “Laura gossiped behind your back. It’s petty but hardly serious matter. You are, after all, Curtis’ wife, the daughter-in-law from the Richardson family. People would belittle you if you can’t handle a housekeeper.”
Leanne forced a smile.
Whatever Laura had exaggerated to Jennifer, it didn’t matter. Jennifer had always found fault with Leanne, which hadn’t changed over the years..
Leanne had long stopped explaining herself. It only served to humiliate her further..
“And now, with Curtis back, you can’t cook or manage the house. Do you expect him to wait on you?”
Leanne thought he had indeed waited on her, but she wouldn’t dare say that in front of
Jennifer.
11:13