Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 17

Zelda couldn't have cared less about the truth. Even if Martha had been gossiping about Summer, so what?

In Zelda's eyes, her daughter-in-law was worth less than a common servant.

"So she said a few words. Did it kill anyone?" Zelda sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Is there really a need to make such a massive fuss and turn the whole house upside down? Besides, look at Martha's age. Arguing with an older woman just shows you have zero grace or tolerance."

Leo stared at his grandmother in absolute disbelief. "Grandma?!"

"Enough," Zelda snapped impatiently, cutting Leo off before turning her displeasure back on Summer. "Go to the kitchen and start dinner. Look at the time! Why are you just standing there?"

Knowing she was safe, Martha remained kneeling on the floor, but from the corner of her eye, she shot Summer a look of vicious triumph and mocking contempt.

The other maids in the room also cast judgmental, pitying glances her way.

Summer was well aware of the dynamic. For years, she had endured countless eye rolls and been treated as the household joke.

But if she chose not to care, no one could hurt her. Taking a seat gracefully on the sofa, she asked casually, "What, did the family go bankrupt? We can't afford a chef anymore? Or did the kitchen staff all drop dead, leaving no one to cook?"

"What did you just say?" Zelda thought she had misheard. Summer had never spoken to her with such a dismissive, defiant tone.

Summer met her gaze lazily. "Are you losing your hearing?"

Zelda erupted. "Summer! When Martha said you were foul-mouthed, uneducated, and classless, I didn't believe it. But it's absolutely true! Do you have any respect for your elders?! Is this how you speak to me?"

"Why are you getting so worked up?" Summer unhurriedly picked an orange from the fruit bowl, casting a sideways glance at Zelda. "Didn't you just say that saying a few words wouldn't kill anyone? Besides, look at your age. Arguing with someone from a younger generation just shows you have zero grace or tolerance. If word gets out, you'll make us the laughingstock of the city and humiliate the entire Sterling family."

Zelda clutched her chest, her face turning purple with rage. "You—you—"

Martha, ever the opportunist, scrambled off the floor and rushed to fetch Zelda's emergency heart medication, practically shoving it into her mouth.

Summer watched the entire dramatic performance without moving a muscle. In the past, she would have been the first one rushing forward to pour water and offer comfort.

To keep Xavier from being caught in the middle, and to make herself worthy of the Sterling name, she had suffered in total silence.

But now, she was done letting them manipulate and break her.

Summer let out a soft scoff. "This is the twenty-first century, and you're still handing out archaic punishments? What kind of medieval tyrant are you? No wonder you love torturing people so much."

Zelda couldn't believe Summer had the audacity to call her a medieval tyrant.

Her face turned a sickly shade of gray, her chest heaving violently as if she were about to lose consciousness again.

The servants scrambled in a chaotic panic—rubbing her back, fetching water, grabbing more pills.

Summer sat utterly detached, watching the circus unfold with cold, indifferent eyes.

Just then, Xavier stepped out of his grandfather's study. Hearing the commotion in the living room, he strode over quickly. "What's going on?"