Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Emmanuel did his best to calm Ryder.

A harmonious family was the key to prosperity. Moreover, Tommy was still a

child. Watching his parents argue or fight would only become a bad memory

when he grew up.

To Emmanuel’s surprise, Abellyn took advantage of his words and screeched,

“You hear that, Ryder? Your cousin cooks at home, too! You’re just an

incompetent man. You can’t make money, nor do you cook, yet you have the

audacity to scold your wife. You’re good for nothing!”

“You-”

Ryder clutched his throbbing chest, finding it hard to breathe suddenly.

“Ryder, are you all right? There, there. Stop fighting already.”

Emmanuel was afraid Ryder’s blood pressure might spike and cause health

problems if they continued arguing. After all, the latter’s blood pressure was already a little high.

Crossing her arms, Abellyn returned to the couch and beckoned for

Mackenzie to join her. “Come, Mackenzie. We, women, should rest and let the

men take care of dinner. Women should be doted on by men, anyway.”

Emmanuel was annoyed by Abellyn’s behavior too. He knew how hard Ryder

was working for the family, yet Abellyn never lifted a finger. And now, she was

playing the feminist card. It was clear that she supported the movement.

Ryder was still panting and said nothing in response.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie had been watching the entire scene indifferently. She

had no attachments to Ryder and his wife. In fact, Emmanuel and Tommy

were the only reason she was there that night.

In spite of that, Mackenzie, too, thought Abellyn was going overboard.

Despite being a woman, Mackenzie never once used the feminist card.

All Mackenzie thought was that Abellyn was being unkind. How could she deliberately anger her husband? Is she cold–blooded?

“Sorry. I might not be in charge of the chores at home, but I never just sit

around. Besides, I’m responsible for the household expenses.”

Mackenzie finally spoke up.

Abellyn, who was feeling good about herself moments ago, felt her cheeks

flaming.

“Hear that? Did you hear that?” Ryder yelled, finally catching his breath. He

could not agree more with Mackenzie’s words. “I’ve never seen a woman as

lazy as you. All you do is play poker and sleep. Ms. Quillen might not do

chores, but she earns a lot of money. Buy me a Maserati if you think you’re so

capable!”

It was one against three. For a moment, Abellyn dared not refute. She merely

crossed her arms and sulked on the couch as her feelings of hatred were

transferred to Mackenzie.

What’s that b*tch acting all high and mighty for? So what if she can make

money? I, too, would’ve made a lot of money if I didn’t get married.

Abellyn felt aggrieved, for she believed she had sacrificed a lot for the family.

I married Ryder when I was in my early twenties. That’s when I looked the

prettiest, and I gave it all to him. So, why can’t I relax a little?

“All right! Stop arguing. You guys carry on chatting. I’m going to cook now,”

Emmanuel said.

Emmanuel had come to celebrate Tommy’s birthday. Naturally, he wanted to

see the latter looking happy in a harmonious family rather than witnessing

his family members squabble with each other.

Although Mackenzie did not know how to cook, she did not just wait around.

She pulled out the present she had prepared and handed it to Tommy,

saying, “Happy birthday!”

“Wow!”

Tommy, who was trembling with fear from his parents‘ argument, leaped

with excitement and took the present with both hands.

It was a toy drone.

It cost around eight hundred, which was nothing to Mackenzie. To Tommy,

however, it was the best gift he had received in his life. In fact, it was his

favorite toy.

“Thank you! Thank you, Mackenzie!” said Tommy excitedly.

A smile crept to Mackenzie’s lips, for the kid remembered to address her as

Mackenzie instead of Aunt Mackenzie. She swore she would have walked

away coldly if he had used the latter.

Abellyn did not share her son’s sentiments. She simply felt that Mackenzie

was showing off. What’s the meaning of this, giving my son a toy worth eight

hundred? Is she mocking my family for being poor? I’m poor because!

married an incompetent man! Hmph!