The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 21

Harriet called the butler over, giving a few brief instructions. "Make sure everything is arranged perfectly!"

The butler nodded and hurried off.

A little while later, Mathis’s uncles arrived, though their sons were notably absent—Mathis had already exiled them to overseas subsidiaries.

Everyone began to offer their birthday wishes to Harriet.

Even though the Jagger family's internal power struggles were fierce, they were experts at keeping up appearances. Each member stepped forward to offer their polite congratulations and present their gifts.

When it was Mathis and Bianca's turn, Harriet feigned a loving smile. "Bianca, you two have been married for three years now. I'm wondering when you'll expand the family. Mathis is twenty-eight; it's about time he had a child."

"Mathis said he's too busy with work right now and isn't planning on it anytime soon," Bianca replied evenly.

Evita immediately sneered, "You can't have kids yourself, so you blame my son. I've never met a woman as shameless as you."

Harriet glared at Evita. "Having a child isn't just the woman's responsibility," she announced loudly. "If your son isn't willing, how is Bianca supposed to do it alone?"

She took Bianca's hand and continued gently, "If Mathis has any health issues, let me know. I'll arrange for a specialist to help him recover."

Bianca gave a vague nod.

Mathis stepped forward, gripping Bianca's hand tightly. "Grandmother, you don't need to worry about matters between my wife and me," he said, his face completely devoid of expression. "You should probably spend more time worrying about your other two useless grandsons. Maybe see if you can stop them from making headlines and embarrassing the Jagger family with those internet influencers."

Harriet's mouth twitched, and she offered an awkward laugh.

During dinner, Mathis slipped seamlessly back into his devoted husband act, showering Bianca with attention.

He made sure she sat right next to him. Bianca took the seat expressionlessly. If he wanted to put on a performance, he could do it by himself; she certainly wasn't going to play the role of the deeply in love wife.

Tragically, after three years of suffering and swallowing her pride, she still couldn't save her mother.

Whenever she thought of her mother, who had suffered for most of her life, Bianca's eyes grew red, and her heart twisted with sorrow.

"If you two don't like the food, you don't have to come back next year," Mathis shot back immediately. "My wife is under no obligation to serve you."

Jules and Raymond looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Mathis’s father, Hadrian Jagger, raised his glass. "Jules, Raymond, don't mind him," he said. "He always speaks without thinking."

Bianca's lips curled into a mocking smile when she heard that. She couldn't help but think that the three of them combined didn't have half of Mathis's intelligence. If they did, he wouldn't have reached the top of the food chain at such a young age.

The dinner continued, with everyone harboring their own hidden agendas as they ate and chatted. Evita and Rosalind's mouths were as toxic as ever, constantly taking veiled jabs at Bianca.