Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 219

That was when he finally realized just how horrific his mother's abuse had been all these years.

No wonder Summer held such a massive, burning grudge against Zelda.

"Xavier Sterling! I raised you for nothing!" Zelda choked on her fury, gasping for air as Arthur quickly rubbed her back to soothe her.

"Enough," Carlson ordered, turning to the estate manager. "Gather the entire staff."

Zelda's eyes went red with humiliation, but she didn't dare utter a single word of protest.

Once the entire household staff was lined up in the living room, Carlson looked at Zelda. "Zelda, begin."

The staff exchanged curious, confused glances.

Zelda felt like she was standing on a bed of nails. She had been the pampered jewel of her family since birth, and after marrying Arthur, she had been adored, respected, and dripping in prestige.

In her entire life, she had never been subjected to this level of indignity.

Apologizing to a younger generation was bad enough, but being put on display like a circus clown for the hired help to witness and judge was unbearable.

Summer sat comfortably on the sofa, a serene smile on her face. She didn't rush her; she just sat there, watching Zelda squirm.

To Zelda, this was a fate worse than death!

"Zelda!" Carlson barked, losing his patience.

Gritting her teeth, Zelda pulled out her written apology. Her perfectly manicured hands gripped the paper so tightly her veins popped.

The moment Zelda began to read, the eyes of every single staff member widened in absolute shock.

They had assumed this was a house meeting for some major announcement. Not a single one of them expected to watch the Matriarch publicly apologize to Summer.

The Matriarch was standing, reading an apology, while Summer sat languidly on the sofa.

What the hell was going on?!

The collective stare of the staff was overwhelming, slicing across Zelda's face like invisible blades.

Her humiliation peaked, her face draining of color, but she had no choice but to keep reading.

When Zelda finally finished and turned to flee to her bedroom, Summer's sweet voice called out, stopping her in her tracks. "Mom, aren't you going to look me in the eye and offer a formal apology?"

Zelda shook with rage, practically spitting out her words. "Don't push your luck."

Summer casually stroked her stomach, fully weaponizing her immunity. "Am I pushing it?"

More importantly, salaries were never delayed, full benefits and retirement plans were provided, and annual health checkups were mandatory.

For someone with only a middle school education like Phoebe, landing this job was a miracle.

Phoebe collapsed at Summer's feet, begging desperately. "Mrs. Sterling, I was wrong! I shouldn't have ignored you or refused to make the juice. Please ask Mr. Sterling to give me another chance! I promise I'll memorize the employee handbook and work hard. I'll never do it again!"

Summer was no saint.

Moreover, these maids were all snobbish bullies who had spent years secretly tormenting her.

Phoebe had been one of the worst offenders.

Why on earth would she save trash like this?

Summer raised an eyebrow. "I'm just an outsider. In this house, I apparently rank lower than the help. What good does begging me do? Besides, I wasn't the one who fired you. Begging me is useless; you should be begging Mr. Sterling."

Xavier was even less of a saint, and Phoebe was thrown out on the spot.

After that, the remaining staff walked on eggshells, treating Summer with an almost terrifying level of reverence.

Summer was finally experiencing the true lifestyle of a wealthy billionaire's wife.