Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 15

"Martha, do I need to remind you of your place? You are just a maid." Summer's tone was unhurried, a sharp smile playing on her lips as she stared the woman down.

Martha felt as if she had just been slapped across the face. Her cheeks burned hot, and her expression turned incredibly ugly.

"Fine. I'll go report exactly what you said to the Madam." Martha spun around furiously and stormed off, undoubtedly planning to exaggerate the incident to Zelda Sterling.

Zelda was Xavier's mother and Summer's mother-in-law.

She never missed an opportunity to discipline Summer in front of the servants and the rest of the family.

Leo grabbed Summer's hand, his voice firm. "Don't be scared, Mom. Even though Dad is in Great-Grandfather's study, you still have me. If Grandma tries to bully you into cooking, I'll protect you."

Summer smiled, nodding warmly, and suggested they go riding.

There was an equestrian arena on the estate's rear grounds. Summer wanted to get out of the suffocating house and clear her head with a fast ride.

As mother and son walked downstairs, they accidentally overheard Martha gossiping with another maid.

The two women hadn't heard them approaching and were facing away, completely oblivious to their audience.

"Martha, she's still the boss's wife. Aren't you worried that talking to the Madam like that will make her run to Mr. Sterling, and you'll get fired?"

"She wouldn't dare. She doesn't have the guts. You're new, so you don't know, but no one in this family likes her except Mr. Sterling. If she wants to stay in his good graces, she has to play the obedient, groveling daughter-in-law for the Madam. Don't be fooled by her title. In this house, she's practically just like us—a glorified servant. Hell, she might even be worse off. She's just a pathetic dog begging for scraps."

"Are you out of your mind?! You can't talk about her like that!"

"It's the truth! We might be maids, but at least we earn our money through hard work and live with our heads held high. Unlike her, relying on a pretty face to seduce Mr. Sterling, looking for a shortcut into high society to become some wealthy housewife. Well, joke's on her—she married into this family just to be treated like a dog. And even as a dog, the Madam still despises her."

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