Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 16

As a result, Leo was exceptionally bright for his age and highly adept at reading the room.

He easily caught the butler's subtle glance and scolded him with a cold, hard face. "Don't look at my mother. This has nothing to do with her. I'm the one firing them."

Charles bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, sir." He then turned his stern gaze to Martha and the other maid.

"Mr. Miller, we didn't say anything! The young master must have misheard us," Martha lied smoothly. Then, catching herself, she quickly added, "Or perhaps it's because I accidentally upset Mrs. Sterling earlier, and she..."

Martha stopped just short of explicitly claiming that Summer had brainwashed the young boy to exact petty revenge on her.

Leo clenched his tiny fists, his face tight with fury. He opened his mouth to argue, but Summer placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Leo, Mom's going to teach you a lesson today. When a dog bites you, you don't bite it back. That just lowers you to its level. You simply hit back."

With that, Summer turned her calm gaze to the butler. "Pull the security footage."

The Sterling estate was equipped with 4K-resolution security cameras that recorded crystal-clear audio.

Charles immediately ordered Martha and the other maid to pack their bags and leave, assuring them their wages for the month would be paid in full as a final courtesy.

But Martha was desperate not to lose such a lucrative position. Refusing to leave quietly, she ran straight to Zelda, throwing herself into a weeping, dramatic display.

"Madam! I'm being forced out! I won't be able to serve you anymore! Whenever your headaches flare up, just have the new girl massage you. I promise to train her properly before I go. I'm so sorry, Madam, I've failed you. I never should have spoken about Mrs. Sterling that way. It's entirely my fault, and it's only right she's so furious with me. I'll pack my things and get out of the estate right now. Oh, Madam, I just can't bear to leave you!"

Xavier's older brother, Xander Sterling, had been groomed from birth to be the family's heir. He had been an exceptional young man—sharp, bold, decisive, and naturally gifted in business.

But Lily's actions had left him in a vegetative state. To the Sterlings, Lily was a homewrecker and a murderer.

Their hatred for Lily was carved into their very bones.

So naturally, looking at a woman who shared that exact same face, they could never bring themselves to offer her a kind smile, let alone affection.

While Summer was lost in thought, Leo's small frame stepped protectively in front of her. "Grandma, I'm the one who told Charles to fire them. It had nothing to do with Mom. I fired them because they were insulting her behind her back. We have it all on camera."