Chapter 10 A Faraway Relative

Tyler heard everything Susan had said in the kitchen. Not even one with the best temper would be able to bear it. Susan was probably the worst kind of mother-in-law.

She was then a little embarrassed when she saw Tyler walking out of the kitchen. After all, Ramona and Tyler were still legally married. How could Susan be seeking another husband for her daughter before they had even divorced? That was unreasonable.

“You’ve got guts now, aye? How dare you call me by my first name?” Susan glared at Tyler and wanted to find fault in him first.

“For what you’ve just said, you don’t deserve such respect for me to be calling you Mother,” replied Tyler.

“You...! What I said was true. A loser like you don’t deserve my daughter.” Susan was fuming.

“Heh.” Tyler knew better not to quarrel and only smiled.

Susan did not like Tyler, to begin with, even more so when he started talking back. She thought it would be best if her daughter had accepted Philip’s proposal as they would not have to be financially concerned.

“Ramona, you have to listen to me. Go meet Philip this afternoon,” Susan tried to persuade her.

“Mom, I don’t want to have anything to do with Philip.” Ramona was caught in a difficult situation.

“This isn’t just for you. This is the life and death of the Leighton family. Please, do this for your late father. Just go?” Susan played the emotion card and left Ramona speechless.

It seemed there was no other way out.

She knew they would require tens of millions to rebuild Fairview Villa. On top of that, the chances of getting an approved loan without her father were slim.

“My dear, how about I go with you to the meeting?” Susan quickly added.

Ramona was truly stuck in a difficult situation. “Mom, stop it. Let me think this through.”

“Alright, alright. My dear, what great opportunity lays in front of you!” Susan complained and returned to her room.

Ramona looked at Tyler who stood by her side with guilt. She knew that her mother’s words greatly insulted Tyler.

“Don’t take it personally… Whatever my mom said,” she gently consoled.

Tyler was initially depressed about what had happened. What he least expected was that his cold wife had finally cared for his feelings for once.

“I’m fine,” Tyler replied as he returned to the kitchen to make lunch.

Ramona did not know exactly what to feel about it. She knew her mother had always been bullying Tyler and he had always accepted it. It had been three years, how could any man take any more of this?

She did not even live a normal married life with him which was unfair for him.

‘How nice if he isn’t this cowardly…’ Ramona could not help but sigh internally and was somewhat confused.

Just when her thoughts were in a mess, the doorbell rang.

Ramona was shocked when she opened the door. It was Ramona’s eldest aunt and her family. Ever since her family faced financial distress, their relatives had avoided them like a plague and cut-off all contacts. Her eldest aunt, Suzette Zimmer, and her family included as they had not contacted each other for three years.

There was a saying that goes ‘losing power means losing followers’, hence it was only natural their relatives avoided them.

However, not only did Suzette and her family show up that day, but they had also brought many gifts with them.

“Aunt Suzette. Please, come in,” Ramona greeted as she urged Suzette and her family to enter their house. Suzette was after all her eldest aunt.

“Aye, Ramona. You’ve grown up well and pretty. Is your mother home?” Suzette appeared very friendly as she complimented Ramona and entered their house.

“Yes, she’s in.”

Susan had heard noises from outside her room when she came out and was surprised to find her sister visiting. That was unusual.

After some greeting exchanges, Suzette’s daughter, Tiffany Collins, smiled and introduced, “Aunt Susan, allow me to introduce you to my fiance, Graham Lawson. He's a Senior Project Manager of Universal International. We’re getting married at the end of this year.”

Tiffany was proudly introducing Graham while her hands were glued to Graham’s.

After being introduced, Graham who was dressed very smartly and neatly, politely greeted Susan and Ramona.

Susan was even more annoyed looking at how presentable Graham was.

Although Tiffany was pretty, she still thought Tiffany was no match for Ramona. However, the boyfriend Tiffany got… Graham was so much more presentable compared to Tyler. Susan was getting more enraged each time she looked at Tyler.

Suzette was someone who liked showing off and she proudly smiled before asking, “Sis, is Ramona’s husband home?”

She just had to! Susan wanted nothing but to punch Tyler in the kitchen. She would not be so shameful if it was not for this useless Son-in-Law.

“He’s in the kitchen.” Susan was obviously embarrassed about saying that.

“Hehe, Ramona is such a lucky woman to have a husband like Tyler.” Tiffany wrapped her arms around Graham’s waist as she smiled and looked at Ramona.

It was obvious that Tiffany was actually being sarcastic. There was a reason behind her show-off actions toward Ramona. Ever since young, Tiffany had been very competitive and could never be at peace with Ramona being always smarter and prettier than her.

While Ramona could tell that Tiffany was mocking her, she did not retaliate as she just wanted the topic to die off.

“Oh? Your husband cooks? Bring him out and introduce him to us.” Graham fueled the fire.

“That’s right, Susan. Get him out and let them make friends,” Jeremy Collins who was Tiffany’s father chimed in.

Susan knew they could not avoid this topic and yelled toward the kitchen, “Tyler, come on out and greet the guests!”

Tyler had actually heard everything from the kitchen. The reason he had not stepped out to greet those guests all the while was that he knew his mother-in-law would not like it and usually avoided situations such as these.

However, he knew he could not avoid it this time, hence he walked out of the kitchen.

Tiffany almost choked from suppressing her laughter as she saw Tyler walking out of the kitchen in his apron with a greasy smell.

Graham had heard from Tiffany about Ramona’s husband—that he was a total loser. Having witnessed it first-hand, his nose was higher up in the air.

“This is Graham Lawson, Tiffany’s boyfriend. Go introduce yourself,” Susan ordered.

Tyler walked toward Graham and extended his hand. “Mr. Lawson, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Tyler Zand.”

Graham frowned at the sight of Tyler’s greasy hands.

“Same,” Graham simply replied but did not shake Tyler’s hand.

They met for the first time and Tyler who initiated a handshake was left hanging. That was rude.

And awkward.

Tyler could only retract his hands and size Graham up. He noticed Graham was a cheap man dressed in expensive clothes. On top of that, his degenerate eyes were checking Ramona’s body out.

This irritated Tyler as he stood in front of Ramona and stopped the harassment.

Susan clearly saw how Graham treated Tyler and that fueled her even more. This rubbish had embarrassed her enough.

Susan spoke to break the awkward silence, “Tiffy, I’ve heard that Universal International gives the best employee’s benefit. Your boyfriend is a Senior Manager there. He must earn a lot.”

“Hehe, not a lot. About 200,000 annually…” Tiffany proudly replied.

“What a successful young man to have such a high salary.” Susan was obviously envious.

“Don’t say that. Hammy isn’t that great, he’s just a little ambitious and knows his way around things,” Tiffany could not help but glanced at Ramona as she replied.

It was obvious to Ramona that Tiffany was showing off. However, she also knew that her husband was not up to par, hence she chose to ignore them.

“Tiffy, I’m jealous of you. Both you and Graham can earn money. Your life must be good since he earns a lot. Unlike my poor girl Ramona, who has to support the whole family alone…” Of course, Susan was glaring at Tyler with rage in her eyes.

“Susan, don’t be so pessimistic. Your time has come. Mr. Zand is going to build a water park opposite Fairview Villa. That’s a very valuable land now,” encouraged Suzette.

Susan and Ramona exchanged looks. They understood the purpose of their visits now.

It was no wonder they visited after three years of losing contact—they heard about the Leighton family’s rise and suddenly had a reason to be friendly relatives. How materialistic!

“You’re right. I’m very thankful to Mr. Zand. If it wasn’t for him, the Leighton family may not rise again. I would personally thank him if I knew where he is.” Susan was a little excited.

“Aunt Susan, Universal International belongs to Mr. Zand. With Graham as the Senior Manager there, he’s in charge of this water park project.” It was yet another prideful introduction.

Graham, on the other hand, enjoyed those compliments so much so he felt like he was floating in mid-air.

“I see. Graham, have you met Mr. Zand before?” Ramona asked out of curiosity and gratitude.

Graham had his eyes on Ramona since he first saw her. He was attracted by her beauty and aura as Ramona was way better in comparison to Tiffany. He was therefore more than delighted when Ramona initiated a conversation with him.

In order to boast, he smiled and replied, “I’ve not only met him, I’ve even had a drink with him last night. Mr. Zand has always been low-key and humble. He always clinks with a lower glass.”

Susan was even more respectful of Graham after he said that as to her, it was a great honor to be able to drink with Mr. Zand. How marvelous!

Ramona was also bought into the story. She was envious that Tiffany was able to find such a capable boyfriend—someone who could drink with Mr. Zand.

Meanwhile, Tyler could only listen to Graham’s empty boast in silence.

‘What the heck? What a shameless d*ck. When did I even drink with you, Graham?’