Ex-husband?
Divorced?
The salesperson was dumbfounded.
She couldn't fathom it. If she had such a handsome and wealthy husband, even if he had numerous mistresses, she would never dream of divorce.
"This layout, isn't it excessively large?" Angela queried.
"If you find it too big, you might consider the 280 square meter flat," the salesperson suggested, showing her another floor plan.
While Angela was examining it, the manager came over, "David, don't bother showing the 280 square meter layout, it's sold out."
"Sold out?"
"Yes," the manager explained, "the eldest son of the Green family and his fiancée were looking for a house and just decided on this as their matrimonial home."
The salesperson nodded with envy in her eyes, turning to Angela, "Ms. Parker, I apologize, as you've heard, the 280 square meter layout has been sold."
"It's that popular?" Angela mused internally. There really were a lot of wealthy people in New Jersey.
Just as she was reflecting on this, she heard a startled exclamation, "Angela?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Angela stiffened and turned around.
Three meters away stood Gladys Parker, arm in arm with a man, staring at her in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
Gladys? How could she run into her here?
Merely contemplating her half-sister, who shared their father but not their mother, caused Angela to furrow her brows and attempt to avert her gaze, almost as if disavowing her own sibling.
Following their father's marriage to their stepmother, Jason and Gladys were born, and Angela's life deteriorated to a state even worse than that of an illegitimate child.
When the Parker Group faced business troubles, her father pressured her to marry Carlos, claiming it to be in pursuit of higher societal status, as the Murphy Group was renowned in New Jersey; marrying into the Murphy family would be her honor. But if it truly was something to be cherished, it would never have fallen upon her.
Marrying Carlos was an arrangement masterminded by Madam Murphy for the Murphy family to have an heir. Before the marriage, Angela had signed an agreement relinquishing any claim to Carlos's wealth. Furthermore, her marriage itself was predetermined to be more like that of a widow's.
Once the Parker Group regained stability, Jason and Gladys continued to enjoy a life of affluence. Three years ago, Gladys became engaged to the heir of the prominent New Jersey family, the Greens.
This union was expected to elevate Gladys into marrying into even greater wealth, a source of considerable pride for her.
The prevailing sentiment in the Parker family suggested that a woman's status is not determined solely by her birth but also by her marital alliances.
The engagement became a prominent topic within the Parker family, and with the backing of the Green family, the Parker Group's business reached new heights, with Jason poised to inherit the family enterprise.
Eddie's birth brought with it health complications that led to his admission to the neonatal unit, accumulating daily medical expenses exceeding ten thousand dollars. In a desperate search for assistance, Angela reached out to the Parker family, hoping for support.
However, her plea was met with disdain, and she was cast out like a stray dog. This harsh treatment marked the moment Angela decided to sever all ties with the Parker family.
The manager turned to Gladys and asked, "Ms. Parker, do you know each other?"
Gladys paused, then coldly replied, "Not well."
Gladys was puzzled at Angela's sudden appearance and, with a calculating glance, purposefully asked Angela, "Are you here for a job interview?"
The salesperson smiled, "I apologize, but this lady is our customer."
"Customer?" Gladys scoffed in disdain, "As I know, she isn't someone who can afford Victoria Apartments. Known for its luxurious residences, don't you verify the financial capabilities of your clients before wasting time on such people?"
The smile froze on the salesperson's face.
Aware of Gladys's intention to cause difficulty, Angela retorted, "Gladys, mind your own business. As you said, we're not familiar with each other."
Gladys said, "I just feel sorry for the salesperson here wasting time on you. Can you even afford a house here? Don’t think I don’t know, you're barely able to pay the rent of four thousand dollars a month!"
The salesperson looked at Angela with some worry too. After all, in sales, no deal means wasted time.
Could this woman really lack the qualifications to buy a house?
The salesperson said, "Ma'am, can you provide a proof of funds report?"
Angela replied, "I don’t have a proof of funds."
The manager and salesperson exchanged a look, growing more cautious, "I'm sorry, but our clients at Victoria Apartments are required to present a proof of funds report for fifty million dollars. Without net assets of fifty million dollars, you are not eligible to view the houses."
Gladys said, "Don’t waste your time, she can't produce it. Just look outside, even the beggars have more money than she does."
Gladys' words were laden with mockery, treating Angela as if she were beneath even a beggar. The sudden change in atmosphere drew the attention of both Eddie and Sidney, who sensed that this woman was actively bullying Angela.
Eddie said coldly, "Where did these two annoying flies come from, buzzing nonstop?"
Sidney also glared at Gladys, arms crossed, and snorted disdainfully.
Gladys sneered, "Who do you think you are to talk back to me?"
Eddie feigned surprise, "Oh, isn't this Gladys? I didn’t recognize you since the Gladys I knew as a child didn’t look like this!"
He scrutinized Gladys, chin in hand, "Did you get plastic surgery? This is a whole new face! The old you was so ugly that pigs would run into trees at the sight of you!"
Angela giggled, unable to contain her laughter at Eddie’s words. Without uttering a single swear word, he had insulted Gladys, leaving her defenseless.
And Gladys was indeed furious.
She glanced at her fiancé, her face turning green with rage, "Angela, is this the bastard child you gave birth to?"
She pointed arrogantly at Eddie and mocked, "This bastard is still alive? He was half dead when he was born, and the doctors said he wouldn't live past a year. Born as defective goods, who would’ve thought he’d grow up. What luck!?"
Hearing this, Angela was filled with uncontrollable anger. She was about to stand up when Eddie held her and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Mummy, keep it classy, don’t lose your composure over such people."
Then, turning to Gladys, he said coldly, "You call me defective goods, but when did you last evaluate yourself? You’ve not only filled your face with Botox, but your brain too, right? Oh no, my mistake, that’s not a brain on your neck, it's a malignant tumor. You better get to a hospital to have that removed."
Gladys, now pale with anger, started, "You..."
"Such a foul mouth on a little brat," Gladys’s fiancé couldn't stand it any longer and raised his voice.
Eddie replied, "And what kind of trash bag brand are you, willing to hold any garbage?"
Sidney stood by, utterly dumbfounded.
Eddie wasn’t speaking fast, but his words were ruthless.