Roland Harrison chuckled, his eyes twinkling.

"You all honestly think I'm just a greedy old man looking for a free meal? I was just making conversation." He turned to his friends, a warm smile on his face. "Come by the house once Evelyn is feeling better. I promise you'll get the feast of a lifetime then."

The group laughed, the tension dissipating as if the incident were already forgotten.

That was when I, who had been a silent fixture in the corner all night, finally spoke.

"Grandfather, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t do that. From now on, I won't be stepping foot in a kitchen to cook for anyone else ever again."

My words hit the room like a physical blow. Bruce Harrison, a man who rarely spoke and carried an air of cold authority, scowled. He pointed a sharp finger at his son.

"Everett, keep your wife in line. Who gave her permission to speak to her elders like that?"

Everett’s hand shot out, his grip tightening around my arm like a vice. He hissed, his teeth clenched.

"Evelyn, what the hell are you doing? Even if you felt slighted earlier, you don't get to ruin Grandfather’s birthday with your theatrics."

I yanked my arm back, jerking my flesh from his bruising grip. I rolled up my sleeve, exposing a fresh, ugly purple mark blooming against my skin.

"Grandfather, I would happily cook for you or anyone I truly loved. But I am not a hotel line cook to be belittled and used by outsiders."

I pointed directly at Hailey Silva. The entire room’s attention snapped toward her.

"Hailey, as Everett’s assistant, you’ve treated me like your personal sous-chef for months. You didn't just steal Everett's lunch—you sent me lists of demands every single day, insisting I cook your meals and have them delivered to the office. I only just realized what you were actually doing. I have no idea how many people you’ve mocked me to, but I’m done. I’m not setting foot in that kitchen again."

"Enough of this nonsense!" Bruce roared.

While I might not be a favorite in the Harrison household, I still held the status of his wife. Having me used as their personal laborer was a humiliation for the family name, and Bruce knew it.

The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating. Before the party could even conclude, the Silva family beat a hasty retreat, dragging a humiliated Hailey out the front door.