[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221FDDD1-80":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},80,12,"Chapter 12: The Bruise That Said It All","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roland Harrison chuckled, his eyes twinkling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The group laughed, the tension dissipating as if the incident were already forgotten.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That was when I, who had been a silent fixture in the corner all night, finally spoke.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everett, keep your wife in line. Who gave her permission to speak to her elders like that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett’s hand shot out, his grip tightening around my arm like a vice. He hissed, his teeth clenched.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pointed directly at Hailey Silva. The entire room’s attention snapped toward her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Enough of this nonsense!\" Bruce roared.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272927790]