Chapter 1

After getting engaged, I went back to work, handing out celebratory treats and accepting congratulations from my colleagues.

Suddenly, a chilling voice cut through the cheerful atmosphere, its words sharp and grating:

"A wife who'll do your laundry, cook your meals, pop out babies, and take care of your parents – all for free."

"Plus, she'll help you earn money, pay off your car and mortgage, and ease all your financial stress."

"The best part? She's *happy* to do it. Honestly, she's such a dream wife, even *I'd* consider marrying her."

"Seriously, where can I find a free live-in maid like that?"

The joyous mood instantly froze. Everyone turned to stare at the speaker:

Bethany.

Noticing all eyes on her, Bethany just smiled, unwrapped a treat, and popped it into her mouth.

"What's wrong? Did I hit a nerve?"

"Must have."

Bethany chuckled, her gaze fixed on me.

"Chloe, why don don't you just call off your engagement and get engaged to *me*, marry *me*?"

"You're going to be a free maid anyway, so why not be mine?"

"We're both women, I can empathize with you way more than any man could."

"And besides, I really could use a free maid who's willing to contribute financially and physically."

All eyes shifted to me.

I shot Bethany a glance and tried to change the subject.

"Don't joke around, everyone! Don't just stand there, grab some candy…"

I didn't finish. Bethany cut me off, winking playfully.

"I'm not joking, I'm serious."

"You look like such a fool, happily counting the money for the person who just sold you out. It honestly makes me want to take advantage of you."

"I truly, genuinely want a free maid like you. I want to experience a man's joy. Think about it."

A wave of irritation surged inside me.

I took a deep breath, stopped handing out candy, and looked directly at Bethany.

"You? No thanks. You don't impress me."

Bethany, who had been smiling, didn't seem to expect that answer. Her expression instantly stiffened.

"What do you mean I don't impress you?"

"My qualifications are more than enough for someone of your caliber…"

I cut her off, letting all my pent-up frustration spill out.

"My fiancé is six-foot-one, handsome and clean-cut. You're barely five feet tall. Is there really any comparison? My fiancé has abs and great stamina. You're built like a bowling ball and get winded just walking downstairs for takeout. Is there any comparison? My fiancé owns his home and car outright, with a healthy savings account. You have no house, no car, no savings, and you barely clear three thousand a month, which is less than me! My fiancé is twenty-seven, cheerful, charming, and knows how to make a woman feel special. You're thirty-three, a blabbermouth, and utterly venomous."

"Honestly, if you were a guy, you'd be the type who's permanently single because no one could stand you."

"Me with you? Doing your laundry, cooking your food, having your kids? Haha, you've got to be kidding."

Everyone's eyes had been on me, buzzing with excitement, ready for the drama.

By the time I finished, they gasped, holding their breath, their faces even more expressive.

And Bethany's face was the most exaggerated of all.

Her features twisted and contorted.

With a loud bang, she slapped the table, stood up, and glared at me.

"You're lying! Don't you dare slander me! I'm nothing like what you said…"

Since I had already decided to argue, I wasn't going to back down.

I cut her off again.

"I'm lying? Slandering you? Nothing like what I said? Which part? Your height? Did you lie about being five feet tall? Are you actually less than that, not even five feet? Your salary? Oh, this month you missed a few days, so you've been docked, making it closer to three thousand? Your age? Did you lie about that too? Are you actually… forty this year?"

"Wow, you've aged well, can't even tell. You look, at most… thirty-nine."

Some of the watching colleagues couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter.

Bethany, already furious, lost all control. Her eyes wide, she roared.

"Shut up! Don't you dare laugh! Get out! All of you, get out!"

I was unfazed. I snatched back the celebratory treat I had just given Bethany.

"At your age, you should watch your sugar intake. It'll make you look even older. Don't eat it! And talk less. Your breath stinks, like you haven't brushed your teeth in forty years!"

With that, I ignored Bethany's venomous glare, turned, and walked away.

A colleague hurried towards me, passing by with a snicker.

"Chloe, that was amazing! She's such a jerk, you should have stood up to her sooner!"