Chapter 2

On her Ins feed, my mother-in-law posted a video. The lavish banquet table was merely background; most of the camera's focus was on my wife.

She was smiling brightly, then deliberately adopted a humble look when facing the camera.

The most infuriating part was the caption:

"This extravagant dinner today is all thanks to my wonderful daughter!"

"She even gave me a card, telling me I can use it whenever I want."

At the end of the video, my mother-in-law held up a golden credit card, boasting:

"Having a daughter is just so much more thoughtful than a son. She's so capable, provides for the whole family, makes good money, and is so filial."

At this, my heart plummeted, a cold dread washing over me.

I knew that credit card all too well. It was my supplementary card, always in my mother-in-law's possession.

Her husband had divorced her years ago, and my wife was raised solely by her. Knowing her struggles, I always tried to be understanding. Not only did I welcome her to live with us, but I treated her like my own mother.

When Chloe even suggested that I get my mother-in-law a supplementary card, I agreed without hesitation.

For years, she had been using my card for her daily expenses: buying clothes, treating friends to dinner, even occasionally buying luxury items.

Sometimes, when she spent excessively, I'd feel uneasy.

But for the sake of peace in the family, and to avoid putting Chloe in an awkward position, I chose to remain silent time and again, telling myself, "It's fine, we're all family."

And to cover my mother-in-law's spending, I lived frugally: cheap takeout for lunch, discount clothes from big-box stores...

But I never imagined she could be so shameless—the sheer audacity to twist years of my silent sacrifice into her daughter’s triumph!

Just to feed her pathetic ego in front of the family!

Below the video, there was a deluge of likes and sycophantic comments. My mother-in-law replied to each one. And whenever anyone asked about me, Brenda would just dismiss it: "Oh, don’t even get me started on that loser. My daughter is the one holding everything together."

I could almost see her smug, beaming face as she read the comments.

Every compliment felt like a slap across my face.

In that moment, my heart wasn't just cold; it was utterly frozen, and my eyes were finally open.

"Fine," I sneered, staring at that triumphant face on the screen.

"Since you think this is all your daughter's achievement..."

I picked up my phone, opening my banking app without hesitation.

"Then I'll show you who the real owner of this card is."

My finger tapped, and I immediately canceled that supplementary credit card.

The moment I canceled it, I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders, a sense of relief I’d never experienced before.

"I can't wait to see how you'll clean up this mess without that card!"

And let all those relatives see what kind of faces they make when my mother-in-law, without her personal ATM, finally shows her true colors!

Meanwhile, at The Golden Swan.

The relatives had pretty much finished eating, slumped in their chairs with satisfied expressions.

Several untouched expensive dishes still sat on the table, and even Teddy's special little seat had a couple of untouched pieces of that gourmet wagyu.

"Chloe is truly amazing, so capable."

"She really is. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't be enjoying such a grand meal."

...

My mother-in-law mumbled, "Oh, it's nothing," but her face was beaming, soaking up all the praise. She was so proud of her precious daughter.

Feeling on top of the world, she grandly waved over a server, announcing loudly:

"Don't worry, whenever we have time, we'll come out and eat! With my daughter around, money is no object!"

Hearing this, the relatives chimed in, surrounding her like she was royalty:

"Then we'll all be benefiting from Chloe's success from now on!"

"Exactly! Chloe is so capable, Brenda, you just sit back and enjoy the good life!"

Amidst the relatives' cheers, my mother-in-law, full of spirit, raised her hand and called out to the server:

"Server, check please!"

The server brought the bill. "Hello, your total is twenty-five thousand seven hundred dollars. How would you like to pay?"

My mother-in-law calmly presented the golden credit card, with the practiced ease of someone who did this all the time.

The server respectfully took the card, but a moment later returned with a troubled expression: "I'm sorry, this card... it can't be used."

My mother-in-law's smile instantly froze, her earlier triumph completely gone.

The relatives noticed something was off, all casting questioning glances.

Feeling everyone's eyes on her, my mother-in-law's face flushed from red to pale, fine beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead.