While Ethan was busy calming down a furious and manipulated Isla, Khloe launched her second attack. This time, her target was the relationship between Ethan, Sharon, and Isla. Khloe printed a brochure she had designed herself very convincingly. The brochure was an exclusive advertisement for the Happy Sunset residents, a luxurious but isolated aged care facility. In the brochure, Khloe circled several accommodation packages with a red marker and wrote a small note in the margin in a handwriting that deliberately imitated Isla’s. The best option for mom when we move into the new house. Then Khloe carefully slipped the brochure into Ethan’s work briefcase, which was in the living room, among other office documents, but visible enough to be found if the briefcase was opened. Khloe knew Sharon’s habit of snooping through her son’s things, especially if it involved money or property. The second bait was taken.
That evening, while Ethan was showering, Sharon opened Ethan’s briefcase, probably to make sure the $10 million transfer documents were ready. But what she found was the brochure for the aged care facility. Khloe, pretending to read a magazine on the sofa opposite, could see Sharon’s face turn red. The old woman’s hand trembled as she held the brochure. She read the handwritten note in the margin and immediately concluded it was Isla’s work. Sharon, who until now had boasted of Isla as her ideal future daughter-in-law, felt betrayed. She thought Isla wanted to get rid of her in an aged care facility as soon as they got the money and the new house. The anger of a mother who feels despised is terrible. Sharon crumpled the brochure and put it in her dressing gown pocket with heavy breathing, waiting for the right moment to confront them.
That night, dinner became a cold battlefield. Ethan looked exhausted and tense. The dark circles were clearly visible under his eyes from the argument with Isla on the phone that afternoon. He tried to be nice to his mother, but Sharon responded sharply and with a look full of suspicion. Ethan was confused, not understanding why his mother’s attitude had suddenly changed. Khloe enjoyed her dinner in silence, occasionally offering food to her mother-in-law with a polite smile that only managed to irritate Sharon more. Sharon probably thought Khloe was too stupid to understand the intrigue that was unfolding, when in reality, Khloe was the mastermind behind all the chaos.
The tension reached its peak when Ethan’s mobile rang again. This time, Ethan did not dare to answer. He just looked at the screen in despair. Isla’s name was clearly displayed. Seeing Ethan’s hesitation, Sharon, already full of prejudice, exploded. Answer it. That illegitimate wife of yours surely wants to remind you of the promise to throw your mother into an aged care home, right? Ethan was dumbfounded, not understanding where his mother had gotten that crazy idea.
What are you talking about, Mom? Who wants to get rid of you? Ethan asked in a panic.
Sharon threw the crumpled aged care brochure in his face. Do not play dumb. I found this in your briefcase. Whose handwriting is this if not that woman’s barely pregnant with a bastard child, and she already dares to control my life? Sharon screamed hysterically.
Khloe feigned surprise, dropping her cutlery and covering her mouth with her hand as if shocked by the argument. Ethan tried to defend himself, saying he knew nothing about the brochure, but Sharon was already too hurt. In the midst of the chaos, Isla, impatient because he was not answering, kept calling until finally Ethan was forced to answer on speakerphone as his hands were busy holding back his mother, who was trying to hit him.
Isla’s shrill voice filled the dining room. Without mincing words, Isla shouted in a very clear, threatening tone. Hey, Ethan, do not stay quiet. If you do not transfer the extra monthly money to me tonight and explain who your other mistress is, I do not care about anything anymore. If that $10 million is not cleared by tomorrow, I will come to your house and tell your holier than thou wife everything. Let it all sink at once.
Isla’s shout echoed, creating a deathly silence. Ethan was as pale as a ghost. The blood seemed to drain from his face. He looked at Khloe in horror. Sharon also fell silent, realizing that Isla’s threat could ruin their plans to get Khloe’s fortune. Both mother and son, greedy, now looked at Khloe with fear. Afraid that she had heard and understood Isla’s threat.
Khloe, who had heard everything clearly, decided to deliver the final blow that night. She slowly stood up from her chair. Her face was impassive. She approached Ethan, took the mobile that was still connected to Isla, and calmly hung up the call. Khloe looked her husband directly in the eyes and said in a soft but piercing voice,
“Darling, it seems your friend has a lot of problems, doesn’t she? Screaming about $10 million and all that. Who is she exactly? And why does she sound like she has so much right to my father’s money?”
