Chapter 3My Son Wanted a Mom Like His Dad’s Secretary. I Agreed, and Now They Both Regret It!

As I got into Ethan’s car, my phone started buzzing nonstop.

The three kids I’d mentored called me one after another, asking where I was, if I needed backup, or if I needed someone to “teach a lesson.” Their fierce protectiveness was almost endearing, but I stopped them immediately.

I chuckled bitterly and said, “I’m just going to see what kind of ‘good life’ my own son has planned for me. What’s wrong with taking a day off for that?”

Ethan glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his expression filled with disdain.

To him, I was nothing more than a greedy, washed-up woman who was well past her prime.

When we arrived at the Brown family’s estate, the driveway was packed with luxury cars. Ethan led me straight into the grand banquet hall.

He pushed me toward a man and flashed an ingratiating smile.

“Mr. Quinn, didn’t you mention you needed a date for tonight? What do you think of her?”

“This deal is critical for us. You’re the key player here… Please, consider it.”

The man was someone I knew—a former college classmate. He’d pursued me relentlessly for four years, only for me to reject him.

I’d told him to focus on his studies and build a future for himself, but he’d taken it badly.

“You’re just a shallow gold digger,” he’d spat at me back then. “You think I’m not good enough for you? Fine! Just wait—I’ll make sure you can’t even dream of being in my league.”

And, well, he’d done it. He’d built an empire in finance and investments.

“Brown’s choice of a date suits me perfectly,” he said with a smirk. “I’ll give the investment some serious thought.”

I tried to pull away, but Mr. Quinn grabbed my hand and held on tightly.

At the party, Henry—my ex-husband—and Miss Lee, his secretary-turned-new-wife, were glued to each other, acting like the perfect power couple.

Miss Lee took center stage, presenting her latest corporate management proposal. It included a new incentive mechanism that she claimed would revolutionize efficiency.

To impress the crowd, she even arranged a live demonstration, which left many of the attending businesspeople intrigued.

But I saw through it immediately. That mechanism had a glaring flaw—it was overly aggressive, disrupting the balance of the workplace. It created exclusivity, sidelining regular employees and sowing chaos within organizations.

The next part of the evening was the investment round. Interested investors would have their assistants coordinate and record offers for further negotiation.

But the room was silent. No one wanted to take the first risk.

Ethan was visibly anxious, glancing repeatedly at Mr. Quinn for a response. Just as Mr. Quinn was about to step forward, I yanked his hand back.

I leaned in and whispered, “This project is a disaster waiting to happen. You’ll lose everything, and it’ll put the companies involved at risk of collapse.”

I’d kept my voice low, but someone overheard me—a young man I’d once helped fund through school.

“She’s just jealous,” he announced loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. “What gives you the right to criticize Miss Lee’s work? You’re just bitter because she’s more successful than you.”

“And you’re a known fraud, aren’t you? Someone who steals other people’s work has no business judging anyone else.”

All eyes turned to me, sharp and cutting. If looks could kill, I’d have been dead a thousand times over.

Miss Lee noticed me too. Her smug expression quickly shifted to one of feigned vulnerability, her voice trembling as she said, “I only asked Ethan to bring you here out of kindness, and this is how you treat me?”

“You can’t assume everyone is a liar just because you were accused of stealing in the past. Not everyone is like you…”

Henry pulled her into his arms, his expression full of reproach as he looked at me.

After all these years, his unwavering support for Miss Lee hadn’t changed.

Ethan, of course, was on her side as well. “If you keep insulting my mom, then you need to leave.”

The three of them stood united, painting me as the villain in their perfect little family.

“Miss Lee’s proposals are always brilliant,” someone sneered. “This project has great potential. I’m ready to invest!”

The voice belonged to Sarah Yates, a woman who looked at me like I was dirt under her shoe. Her words were laced with venom.

“You really think you’re still the old Danielle Hayes? You’re nothing but a fallen phoenix, trampled by everyone. And now you think you can ruin Miss Lee’s event? Pathetic.”

“You’re a disgrace. You should just stay in the dirt where you belong, like the insignificant bug you are.”

I didn’t understand why Sarah hated me so much.

Years ago, I’d met her in a poverty-stricken town while researching a charity project. She’d been cornered by a local thug, begging for help.

I’d stepped in, paid off the thug, and taken her with me.

I’d even found her a job, helping her get on her own two feet.

But when I was falsely accused of stealing, Sarah had stood by and watched. Worse, she’d actively helped Miss Lee fan the flames, leaking my personal information to the public and fueling the online harassment that nearly destroyed me.

Sarah’s voice dripped with contempt as she continued, “Just because you helped me once doesn’t make you my savior. If you’d treated me half as well as Miss Lee has, maybe I wouldn’t hate you so much.”

“You think giving me a thousand dollars a month was enough? That doesn’t buy designer clothes, doesn’t get me a good apartment. It barely covers a few meals out.”

She’d asked me to sign over my house to her, and when I refused, her resentment only grew.

Miss Lee had taken full advantage of that, gifting her a few designer outfits and completely winning her over.

To prove her loyalty, Sarah had even destroyed key documents I’d needed to clear my name.

When I confronted her about it, she’d shrugged, utterly indifferent.

“The unloved one is always the third wheel,” she said with a smirk. “Your husband and son don’t love you. Why won’t you just let go of your place? Have some dignity, for once in your life.”

I’d seen enough.

In the end, everything in this world revolved around self-interest.