Chapter 218

Annie's POV

Betty tried to counter, but had lost her previous momentum. "Those are just numbers you're claiming. Would you really give Annie that much money? Or are you just talking?"

Looking at Betty desperately trying to regain control of the situation,I found it somewhat amusing. Half an hour ago, she had confidently barged in, ready to break up Howard and me; now she was like a drowning person clutching at the last straw.

I felt a smile creep across my lips. "Howard is indeed generous."I deliberately slowed my pace, each word clearly landing in the room's air."While Lucy is at school, he helped me find a part-time job with a monthly income exceeding one millíon. I don't think Philip would ever have given me such an opportunity, even if we had stayed together for a lifetime."

"How long have you been together? A month?" Betty's voice carried obvious jealousy and doubt. "Will he continue to be this generous in the future?"

Howard's answer was brief and firm: "The future will only get better,not worse."

Betty was momentarily speechless; her eyes flashed with an emotion I had never seen before-the recognition of defeat.

I suddenly realized what this conversation was essentially about-Betty had wanted to damage my image in front of Howard from the very beginning. This realization no longer made me angry, only slightly pitying.

"You wanted to tarnish my reputation in front of Howard, didn't you?"I pointed out directly. "But now you can't use money as an excuse anymore.If you have other reasons to try convincing Howard to leave me,please continue. I'm curious how he would react."

Betty's gaze became sharp, as if angered by my exposure of her intentions.She quickly adjusted her strategy, her voice returning to that lofty tone:"Fine. I concede on the money issue! But when it comes to respecting elders,Annie absolutely can't escape responsibility!"

She stared at me with a triumphant look, as if grasping at a lifeline."As Philip's wife, she should have respected her mother-in-law. But what did she do? She hardly ever came to see me, showed me no respect at all!"

I noticed Philip was no longer looking at his mother. His gaze was fixed on some spot on the floor, his expression complex. Seeing him like this,I couldn't help thinking: he probably finally realized how absurd and indefensible his mother's accusations against me were. This brought a twinge of ironic satisfaction to my heart.

"Respect is mutual, Betty," I said calmly, feeling the courage within me growing stronger. "You want me to respect you,but remember who said seeing me would 'shorten her lifespan'? Who turned her home into a dating venue for Philip and Sarah? Who constantly encouraged Philip to bring Brian to your house to meet Sarah?"

Betty's face instantly turned pale. These were facts she couldn't deny,things she had said in front of Philip.

"You... what nonsense are you talking..." she tried to refute incoherently,but clearly lacked conviction.

I shook my head inwardly. This was Betty's problem-when unable to

refute facts, she would start denying reality, as if history could be rewritten simply by refusing to acknowledge it. This kind of stubborn self-deception once made me feel powerless, but now it only seemed pathetic.

I felt a strange sense of release; years of grievances finally had an outlet."If you think I'm lying, why don't we post on social media right now and let everyone judge who's right and who's wrong?"

Betty's eyes suddenly lit up, apparently thinking this was a brilliant idea.In her view, she could win public sympathy by selectively sharing information.

"Good idea! Let's post now!" she said, almost excitedly.

"Mother!" Philip suddenly interrupted harshly, his voice filled with obvious annoyance. "Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

He approached Betty, lowering his voice but still audible to us: "Do you want the whole world to know how you, as a mother-in-law, encouraged your own son to cheat, how you deliberately targeted your daughter-in-law? Do you want the company's stock to plummet?"

Betty reluctantly argued back: "We don't have to mention those details when posting! Philip, have you lost your mind?"

Listening to this mother-son conversation, I couldn't help but mentally roll my eyes. Betty's way of thinking was truly astonishing-in her world,concealing and distorting facts was so natural that she didn't even need to hide this intention. This shameless behavior reflected her essence: a person accustomed to manipulating reality to suit her own needs.

Philip let out a bitter laugh:′′Ifwe don't mention those details, do you think people will believe your one-sided story? Moreover, Annie can

release her own version at any time."

Betty was finally speechless,her momentum completely crushed.

Philip seriously questioned: "Do you want my company to go bankrupt?"

Betty's voice lowered, like a child who had been wronged:′′O/course I don't want that."

"Then stop talking," Philip's voice was cold and weary. "Come home with me."

Although Betty appeared extremely reluctant, she ultimately chose to obey.Before leaving,Philip turned to me, his face showing a sincere regret I had never seen before.

"I'm sorry for the trouble we've caused."

I looked at him deeply, feeling that the corner of my heart that once loved him had completely calmed. The Philip before me now seemed so unfamiliar, no longer the man who once moved my heart, just a pitiful person controlled by his mother to the point where he couldn't truly be himself. This realization no longer caused me pain, only a faint sympathy."You should be sorry. I hope in the future you can better control the people around you, don't let them come disturb Howard's and my life. It's very annoying."

My directness clearly surprised Philip. The Annie who always complied,always tried to please everyone, no longer existed. He was silent for a moment,finally simply saying:"Okay."

When they finally left, I felt an unprecedented lightness-as if a burden I had carried for years had been lifted. Years of grievances and suppression had finally been released, and that feeling was even more wonderful than I

had imagined. I turned around to find Howard watching me.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. puzzled.

Howard gently took my hand, his touch warm and firm. "I was just thinking about how difficult those six years must have been for you."