Chapter 4No Place at Home

My mother immediately panicked.

"You can't stay. Everyone believes Ryan is an only child!"

I curved my lips into a smile.

"Aren't I his distant cousin? Besides, I'd like to meet Chloe. I even prepared a special gift for her."

I emphasized the words special gift.

My mother completely missed the warning.

She smiled.

"Good. At least you still understand your responsibilities.

"But don't say anything you shouldn't."

I said nothing, which she took as agreement.

Then I opened my phone and opened my chat with Nina.

"You said someone wanted to see the house? I can meet you there in two hours. Bring them over."

She replied at once.

I wanted to see how the engagement survived without the promised house.

By the time Chloe Bennett arrived, all the relatives had gathered.

During the introductions, my mother glanced at me twice and vaguely called me one of Ryan's distant cousins.

Not one relative questioned it. Clearly, they had coordinated their story in advance.

My heart turned colder.

Throughout dinner, my mother enthusiastically described the marital home they had prepared.

Chloe nodded along.

"Mrs. Goodman, my family doesn't ask for much. I just want my future husband to be an only child and already own a home."

Embarrassment flickered across my mother's face, but vanished instantly.

"Don't worry, Chloe. Ryan meets both requirements."

Near the end of dinner, the server followed my instructions and walked directly to my father with the card terminal.

"Sir, the total is three thousand five hundred dollars. Will that be cash or card?"

I gave a quiet laugh. Since they thought I was paying, they had ordered several bottles of the restaurant's most expensive wine.

Every eye at the table turned toward my father.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He sent me a questioning look.

It clearly meant, Wasn't this supposed to go on your account?

I calmly turned away.

Only after the server asked a third time did my father shakily pull out a credit card.

The atmosphere became awkward. Everyone could tell he resented paying.

Chloe looked displeased as well, apparently unimpressed by his stinginess.

Trying to rescue the mood, my mother took Chloe's hand.

"Now that we've eaten, let's go see your future home. I also prepared a surprise for you. It's our family heirloom."

Chloe's expression finally softened.

After dinner, the entire group marched toward the supposed marital home.

The front door stood open, and several figures moved around inside.

My mother charged through the doorway.

"Who are you people? Frank, call the police! There are burglars in our home!"

More than a dozen relatives crowded into the apartment behind her.

Nina and two prospective buyers stared at them in disbelief.

"We're here for a scheduled showing. Didn't the owner list the house for sale?"

My mother grabbed a broom and began driving them toward the door.

"Sale? This is my son's marital home!"

Nina frowned.

"But the legal owner of this property is Elena Goodman."

My mother laughed as if she had heard an absurd joke.

"Elena Goodman? Impossible. I've lived in this house for thirty years!"

I pushed through the crowd, opened my purse, and removed the recorded deed.

"Mom, she's right. This house belongs to me."