Chapter 84

“Sorry about that. I’ll remember it next time. Maybe you should also learn a thing or two about knocking,” I said, tilting my chin slightly before heading back to my office.

I thought, “Tracy must be fuming right now, and probably thinks I’m some scheming villainess. But hey, in my previous life, being oblivious got me nowhere. Why not be a bit more cunning this time?”

Work ended around six. I noticed the light in Jared’s office was off; he was leaving. I pretended to stay busy, deciding to dine out alone tonight so he and Yvonne could eat at home.

A knock on the door broke my focus. Jared stood there saying, “Come have dinner at my mom’s place tonight. My sister’s back, and Yvonne is already there.”

Caught off guard, I immediately replied, “I’m still finishing up here. How about-”

“Victoria, tonight is a family dinner.” Jared gave me no room to refuse.

I reluctantly gathered my things, walked over to him, and said, “Let’s go.”

I insisted on driving myself, and Jared didn’t argue. He got into his car, his face cold.

My sister-in-law Quinn was always scheming. She was constantly calculating how to maximize the company’s dividends and figuring out how to keep the Holcomb family’s money from getting split up by outsiders. To her, I am that outsider. In my previous life, when Jared wanted a divorce, the settlement agreement was drawn up. Upon seeing the assets and money listed to be given to me, she schemed within the Holcomb family. In the end, those numbers were slashed by two zeros.

This year, Quinn is twenty-three. She spent three years abroad, part-studying, part-playing. She didn’t learn anything substantial but went through boyfriends one after another. She’s always wanted to marry someone from a family more prestigious than the Holcomb family. She even tried to break into showbiz, had some minor cosmetic tweaks, appeared on a few sketchy reality shows, and nearly made it into the entertainment industry. But then some dirt got exposed, and she was knocked back to square one.

Thinking about all this, I realized another thing–since I’d returned to 2014, events were unfolding differently from my previous life. In my old life, I never knew Nathan, and Melissa’s first husband wasn’t Zachary.

‘So, what direction will this life take?’ I was uncertain and a bit confused. But one thing was clear—I’m resolute in loving myself.

When I arrived at the Holcomb residence, Jared had already reached there ahead of me. The whole family was sitting cheerfully on the couch, chatting. My father-in-law, James, is still alive, but he and Sally lead separate lives and only appear together for important events. Recently, he’s been following trends, dressing even more fashionably and youthfully than Jared. He’s tall and lean, making him look young from the back. But when he turns around, his face shows the toll of years. Still, that doesn’t stop him from dating younger women. Jared managed to arrange for his father to retire at fifty. He runs the company alone, supports various relatives, and gives his parents a significant monthly allowance.

“Victoria’s here?” Quinn greeted me with a fake smile. “Sorry, I came back in such a rush this time; I forgot to get you a gift.”

I laughed it off immediately. “No worries. Jared gave me a gift the other day.”

Quinn turned away, ignoring me and snuggling up to Jared’s arm, pouting playfully. “Jared, please say yes to what I mentioned earlier. My friend is in a tough spot. Her dad just passed away, and she has to support her entire family alone. Can you let her join the company?”

Her request caught me off guard. Memories of my previous life rushed back–Quinn introducing her friend to the company who then tried to seduce Jared. Tracy went all out against her, and it ended in a messy escape.

I thought to myself, ‘Well, looks like the main drama is about to begin. This should be interesting!’