The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 323

323 Chapter 323 The Apron Hits The Floor

323 Chapter 323 The Apron Hits The Floor

Blanche’s POV

The car pulled up to Jacob Manor’s front entrance, and I watched the butler and house staff sprint outside to greet us.

“Mr. Jacob, Mrs. Jacob, thank God you’re safe!” the butler exclaimed, relief flooding his

features.

Zain’s face looked like carved ice–cold and unforgiving. He didn’t utter a single word.

As I climbed out of the car, the butler approached me. I managed only a tight smile and a quiet “Mm–hmm.”

Zain’s sharp voice sliced through the air. “Luggage in the trunk. Get it inside.”

His command to the butler and staff came out harsher than usual, with an edge I rarely

heard from him.

The butler and staff shared uncertain glances before hurrying to unload our things.

I moved to help, but they waved me off politely.

Zain stormed ahead like he was fleeing something, his long strides eating up the

distance.

I dragged myself behind him, each step feeling heavier than the last as we approached Jacob Manor’s entrance.

The main hall buzzed with Jacob family members gathered for their reunion.

New Year’s Eve meant everyone came together.

Ophelia and Tia occupied the living area alongside Oswald and Donovan.

Kaden and Carry were missing from the scene.

When I entered, Oswald and Donovan hunched over a Go board while Ophelia bustled around the kitchen.

Tia scrolled through something on her tablet.

Everyone’s heads turned toward me at the sound of our footsteps.

Oswald’s face brightened. “Blanche, welcome back.”

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323 Chapter 323 The Apron Hits The Floor

I nodded. “Mm–hmm.”

Donovan threw me a brief glance but kept his mouth shut.

Tia dropped her tablet and looked up. “Blanche! Finally! Come sit by me.”

She shifted over, patting the space beside her.

I smiled faintly at Tia without responding.

The staff arranged Zain’s purchases on the coffee table before disappearing.

Zain didn’t pause to acknowledge anyone–he bolted straight upstairs the second we walked in.

That left me standing alone in the middle of the room.

I lingered for several beats before moving toward Tia.

Before I could settle beside her, Ophelia exploded from the kitchen–apron askew, hands greasy, hair disheveled.

Her eyes lit up the moment she spotted me. “Perfect timing! You’re handling the stir–fry–get in there!”

She spoke while frantically untying her apron.

She marched over and thrust the apron at me.

“Move it! No standing around!”

I didn’t reach for the apron–instinct kicked in and I sidestepped, letting it fall. The apron hit the floor and Ophelia’s face turned scarlet with rage.

“Blanche, what’s your problem? You knew we had this big family dinner tonight, but you couldn’t bother coming back early to help. Now I ask you to cook and you give me attitude? Really?”

I glanced at Ophelia and shrugged carelessly, “This isn’t my family’s celebration. Why should I rush back to play kitchen help?”

Ophelia’s eyes blazed. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

I smiled coolly. “That’s just who I am.”

Tia jumped up and grabbed Ophelia’s arm before things escalated further. “Mom, look

–

I haven’t helped either! Blanche married into this family, sure, but she’s still a Jacob

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323 Chapter 323 The Apron Hits The Floor

wife now. If you don’t expect me to cook, why should she?”

Ophelia shoved Tia away. “You said it—she married in, she’s not blood. I’m breaking my back here! Why should she get to lounge around just because she has our name now?”

Tia hesitated, then caught Ophelia’s hand. “Mom, that’s what staff are for. Nobody’s forcing you to do everything. Aren’t you exhausted?”

Ophelia snapped, “So now you’re arguing with me too?”

Tia mumbled, “I’m just saying it’s true.”

Ophelia swatted her playfully. “Go read and stay clear. Don’t want you smelling like cooking oil.”

Tia wrinkled her nose. “Mom, why don’t you relax and watch TV instead?”

Before Ophelia could respond, Oswald’s voice cut through. “Listen to Tia. What’s the point of constant bickering?”

Ophelia’s shoulders sagged. “Fine, Dad.”

Oswald didn’t look at Ophelia as he turned back to Donovan. “Let’s continue our game.”

With Oswald’s word as law, Ophelia had no choice but to claim a living room seat.

She caught me still standing in the center and glared. “What are you doing hovering there? Will sitting down kill you?”

I ignored her and chose a chair on the opposite side of the room.

The staff ended up finishing dinner preparations.

Dinner started at 6:30.

Once everything was ready, Ophelia scanned the room, noticed Zain’s absence, and barked at me: “Go get Zain for dinner.”

I opened my mouth to refuse, but Tia jumped in with a grin. “Mom, I’ll go! Let Blanche

rest.”

Ophelia raised an eyebrow at Tia, half–joking. “You actually enjoy being my errand girl

that much?”

Tia beamed. “Only for you, Mom.”

That earned a small smile from Ophelia, who said nothing more.

323 Chapter 323 The Apron Hits The Floor

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