Chapter 7

The Carter family was the wealthiest household in Seavale, with three generations living together in this opulent mansion. Every meal was a full-house affair. I stared blankly at the crowded dining table. The Carter patriarch, now in his eighties, suffered from Alzheimer's and was tended to by dedicated servants in his room—never joining the table. So, seated at the head was my father-in-law, Alexander, followed by my mother-in-law. She had borne a son and a daughter—the son now bedridden and unconscious, while the daughter, my sister-in-law Lily Carter, clearly sided with her mother and regarded me with undisguised contempt. To the left sat Alexander’s younger brothers, Benjamin Carter and Andrew Carter. Benjamin was the second-in-command of the Carter Group. His wife had given him three sons and a daughter—the eldest being Nicholas, followed by a married daughter, then the remaining two sons: one a quiet, slender surgeon, the other still studying abroad in the UK. Andrew, on the other hand, remained unmarried—a lazy, gluttonous man with a short, pudgy frame. My gaze swept over everyone before I lowered my head in disappointment. No one. Not a single one matched that monster’s description—except Nicholas. Oh, and Amanda Carter’s husband, Benjamin’s son-in-law. Amanda’s husband was a typical northern man—if we were judging by physique alone, he might fit the bill. But deep down, I just didn’t think it was him. Yet, the Carter family only had so many men. If I ruled them all out, then who was left? Had I guessed wrong? Was he not part of the Carter family at all? Impossible. If he weren’t, how could he come and go like a ghost, acting with such brazen impunity? No—he was just too good at hiding, making it impossible for me to pinpoint him. A chill seeped into my bones, sharp as an angered hedgehog’s spines, bristling in defense. The devil was right beside me, yet I couldn’t see him. Why was I the one he targeted? Was there something in this family I didn’t know about? "Helen, you’re going back to your parents’ place today, aren’t you?" Out of nowhere, Lily shot me a sidelong glance, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah. My mom's being discharged from the hospital today. I'm going to spend some time with her." My mother had suffered a heart attack after our family business was scammed out of its operating funds. Today happened to be her discharge date, so of course I needed to go see her. "Oh really? How... convenient that your mother's illness comes and goes. She was rushed to the ER right on the dowry negotiation day, and now magically recovers just after Dad introduced several clients to your family. What an... interesting condition." I gripped my spoon tighter but stayed silent. I knew she looked down on me in every way, extending that disdain to my family as well. But it wasn't her I married—what did her approval matter anyway? "Lily, that's enough." Father-in-law came to my defense. "Dad, I only said one thing! Are you afraid I'll bully your precious daughter-in-law? Wouldn't dare. After all, she's here to 'ward off bad luck' for Brother with this marriage—wouldn't want to cross her. Though come to think of it, this luck-warding doesn't seem to be working too well, does it? Half a month in and Brother hasn't had a single proper waking day." "Enough! Shut your mouth!" "Why are you shouting at her?" Mother-in-law immediately took her daughter's side. "Lily is my daughter. Doesn't my daughter have the right to speak in her own home?" "Then she should watch what nonsense comes out of her mouth! Is this how a properly raised young lady behaves?" Father-in-law slammed his fork down with a crack that silenced the table. I appreciated him standing up for me, but I didn't want to be the cause of family strife. I stood up. "Dad, Mom, I'm finished eating. Please take your time."