Chapter 76: The Group Chat Game

Cora almost laughed out loud at Gary’s self-righteous tone. The man really believed his own delusions.

Her mother had endured humiliation for years because she loved him — truly loved him. And that was exactly why she’d walked away so completely once that love was betrayed. If she’d married him for money or status, she could’ve tolerated his affairs. But love? Real love doesn’t survive betrayal.

“You can relax,” Cora said flatly. “My mom won’t show up in your life again. Ever.” She turned to leave.

Gary’s face flushed. “Is that how you talk to me? I’m still your foster father!”

“Right. Foster father.” She looked over her shoulder, calm and cutting. “If I remember correctly, you already cashed the check that ‘bought out’ my upbringing. One million, wasn’t it? You even signed a contract saying you’d stop bothering us. If you’re old and need care someday, I’ll hire a nurse.”

Her polite, detached tone made him feel smaller than any insult could.

“I don’t need it!” he snapped. “I’ll have my own children to take care of me — not some ungrateful foster daughter! And tell your mother to stay out of my sight, or I won’t be so nice next time!”

He spun around and stormed off.

Cora watched him go, utterly speechless.

—

After dinner, she curled up on the couch with her mom to watch TV.

The house was quiet — just them, a chef, a maid, and Austin. Cora had insisted everyone relax; tonight, they were family.

She noticed Austin grinning at his phone. “What’s so funny?”

He straightened instinctively. “Uh, a little game, ma’am. Some of us assistants have a group chat — we’re playing an emoji challenge.”

“Emoji challenge?” Cora perked up immediately. “Add me! I want in!”

No one dared refuse Mrs. Watson.

Within seconds, Austin — the group admin — approved her request.

The chat exploded.

“Boss is here!”

“Hey, Team Lead!”

Right. They still remembered her official title — Lead Assistant to Mr. Watson.

“Hi, everyone,” Cora typed cheerfully. “Be nice to me, it’s my first time playing!”

Replies poured in.

“No worries, ma’am!”

“Welcome, boss!”

Following the rules, she sent her first emoji combo — and the chat erupted.

“LOL! That’s gold!”

“Team Lead’s got meme skills!”

Then Austin dropped his turn, and Cora instantly snatched the reply.

“Oh my God!” Baron typed. “She’s fast! I didn’t even finish typing!”

Laughter filled the office miles away.

Julian glanced up from his meal, noticing his assistants practically doubled over laughing. Baron, the youngest, couldn’t contain himself. “Come on, isn’t Mrs. Watson the funniest?”

Julian’s eyes flicked up sharply. Mrs. Watson?

No other “Mrs. Watson” existed in his world.

The assistants were too busy giggling to notice the shift in his expression.

So she wouldn’t text him, but she had time to play games with them?

Julian dabbed his mouth with a napkin, looking deceptively calm. “You’re enjoying yourselves.”

Baron froze mid-chuckle. “Sir—we, uh… it’s just lunch break. We were—”

Julian leaned back, voice smooth. “What game?”

“Um… the emoji challenge.”

Julian nodded. “Add me.”

Baron blinked. “…Sir?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Of course not!” Baron almost dropped his phone rushing to invite him.

The group notification popped up:

Julian Watson has joined the chat.

Cora was about to send another meme when the name hit her screen. Her stomach dropped.

Oh no.

Was he about to scold everyone for slacking off?

Austin’s message came first: “Uh… Mr. Watson joined the group?”

Their eyes met across the couch — both guilty.

Julian’s first message appeared:

“You all seem to be having fun. Thought I’d join.”

The entire chat froze. Half the team probably stopped breathing.

No one dared type.

Then Julian sent a prompt: a short text description — the next “clue” for the game.

No one moved. Except Cora.

She didn’t even check who’d written it — she just reacted on instinct and sent a meme that fit perfectly.

When she looked again, her heart skipped. That was his.

Julian saw her reply and, for some reason, couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his mouth.

Cora scrambled to play it off. “Beginner’s luck! Okay, my turn!”

Another clue popped up — “Congrats to Mom on her new home!” — followed by a flood of replies from everyone copying the phrase to “claim” it.

Julian typed one of his own: “Cora is a little mole.”

Austin nearly choked on his drink. Oh no.

Cora’s eyes narrowed. Oh, two could play that game.

She typed back: “Julian is an ice block.”

Silence. Not a single assistant dared to “claim” that one.

And just like that, the group devolved into a playful back-and-forth between husband and wife — teasing, daring, everyone else pretending not to exist.

They kept it up for nearly an hour before Cora finally said she was going to rest.

Julian stared at the chat long after she’d gone offline, scrolling through their exchange like an idiot with a secret smile on his face.

For the first time in years, the world didn’t feel so cold.

Austin cleared his throat carefully. “Mrs. Watson, it’s late — you should get some sleep.”

Cora nodded, still amused from the game, but when she turned, her mom was sitting there quietly, eyes unfocused.

Mom… what are you thinking about?