11
Knowing Jason’s father had many videos, I decided to talk to Mr. He, but after the official
interview.
I needed to show him my skills first.
Ten nannies were interviewed.
Some were young and beautiful, even a
multilingual foreign student.
I was glad I chose this career path.
The interview went smoothly. Those younger
and prettier than me weren’t as efficient and
hardworking. The older ones lacked my education.
I was free from burdens and cou
レ
dedicate myself, cooperating more than
everyone else.
Mr. He obviously favored me.
And for tutoring, his daughter, Sweetheart, said I explained things better than her teachers.
“Dad, let’s choose Aunt Jiang. She’s amazing
at every subject! She’s worth many tutors!” Mr. He didn’t give an immediate answer; he said he would let us know.
We met at the gym the next day; I invited him to dinner.
I ordered red wine for courage; I asked if he’d seen my videos.
“Ms. Donna sent me some, but I want to hear your side.”
As expected!
I drank a glass of wine, then objectively told my story of over a decade with the Zhou
family.
The vain, selfish mother–in–law who used
small favors to win over my son and belittle
me;
the hypocritical, irresponsible husband who liked to show off and suppress his wife;
the arrogant, selfish son who looked down on
- me.
My marriage was a cage; I only knew how to roar, scream, and break down.
I wiped away tears, looking at Mr. He, smiling bitterly.
“Pathetic and ridiculous, but I was truly
terrible. I couldn’t escape.”
Mr. He listened attentively; he gave me his handkerchief and changed my wine to tea.
It was a gentlemanly gesture, learned from his upbringing.
I thanked him for letting me speak.
Years of hardship and exhaustion m cry; I cried &
<
Years of hardship and exhaustion made me
cry; I cried for ten minutes before I could
speak normally.
I didn’t know if Mr. He accepted my
explanation.
But I wasn’t going to let Donna off easily.
I composed myself and said fiercely, “Mr. He,
I know being a mistress isn’t a standard for
evaluating employees, but Donna used her
position to plot against me.
Now she’s jealous and invaded my privacy,
trying to force me to return to be their
servant!
You don’t have to hire me, but please
consider Donna’s character.”
I took a deep breath; besides the offer letter, I
showed him Donna and Jason’s father’s chat
logs.
Donna bribed the purchasing department
head to use products from Jason’s father’s
company for personal gain.
“This is the price list from the original
supplier. Jason’s father is a third–level
distributor. Donna’s actions have cost Mr. He
at least $300,000 this year.”
Mr. He looked at the documents and put them
down.
His fingers tapped the table; his gaze sharp.
He suddenly asked, “Nina, when you
recommended yourself, was this your plan?”
“Huh?” I looked at him in disbelief.
I realized Mr. He thought I’d approached him
with a purpose, to get revenge.
I clenched my fists, anger surging, “Mr. He! I
understand your misunderstanding, but-”
“First, I respect my profession. It’s a carefully
considered plan, I’ve worked hard for it.
Second, my grievances with Jason’s father
and Donna ended with the divorce! If they
hadn’t pressured me, you wouldn’t have heard
this.”
Mr. He examined me for a long time, then
jokingly asked, “Even if I lose millions each
year?”
I thought for a moment, then answered
honestly, “Yes. I won’t say anything.”
Let them be.
I’m a woman who protects her rights; I’m not
a righteous hero.
If they didn’t provoke me, I wouldn’t make
enemies. Cutting off someone’s livelihood is
like killing their parents.
Besides, He’s Group’s losses were due to
internal management issues and Mr. He’s
poor hiring choices.
“So, Mr. He, you don’t need to thank me.”
Mr. He chuckled, “Don’t be nervous. It has
nothing to do with you.”
Right, a successful businessman wouldn’t be
so petty.
I smiled, “As long as you don’t misunderstand
me.”
“I understand the situation. Thank you, Ms.
Jiang, for your honesty.”
He ended the conversation, but I was still
anxious.
No employer would hire an emotionally
unstable housekeeper.
But I wasn’t discouraged; I prepared for the
worst.
That night, I prepared resumes for major
housekeeping agencies.
I wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket.12
Mr. He’s revenge was swift and merciless.
First, Donna was fired and received a lawyer’s
letter demanding compensation for her abuse
of power.
I realized she’d played favorites in hiring, and
not just with me.
Her bribery extended beyond Jason’s father.
The compensation alone would drain Donna’s
savings and might even land her in jail. Jason’s father was understandably dropped
as a supplier.
However, since Donna was primarily
responsible, it didn’t cripple his business. Donna slunk back to the Zhou family, while I unexpectedly received Mr. He’s job offer. To apologize for the misunderstanding, he increased my monthly salary by $10,000. My salary was now $60,000 a month.
But I hesitated.
Could I work for such a calculating employer? This old fox self–promoted, “Nina, my salary
might not be the highest, but my family’s
social connections are the easiest to
navigate.”
This was impossible to refuse.
For a newbie like me, Mr. He’s single–parent
family was the perfect client.
<
My thoroughness, skills, and proactive
attitude put him at ease.
“Happy working together!” I smiled brightly.
I next saw my ex–husband’s family at Mr.
He’s villa complex. Security informed me that
they were making a scene outside and
wanted to see me.
I was glad I chose Mr. He. He worked during
the day, Sweetheart was at school, and I’d
already delivered his lunch; I had the
afternoon free.
Perfect for dealing with the Zhous.
I wore designer clothes and shoes and carried
a Louis Vuitton bag.
I didn’t need money.
Since I handled everything at the He
household, I joined the homeowner’s
association, meeting many women and their
housekeepers.
<
Using my connections, I secured several jobs.
I invested my divorce settlement in a small
housekeeping agency; many in the complex
are my clients.
I didn’t hide this from Mr. He; he supported
my entrepreneurship as long as it didn’t interfere with my job.
After my three–month probation,
Sweetheart’s grades improved significantly, and he extended my contract to ten years. He wasn’t worried about me leaving.
This trust made me happy and dedicated.
The security guard approached me at the gate.
“Ms. Jiang, someone claiming to be your son
is demanding to see you.”
I apologized and approached my ex-
husband’s family.
Jason’s father approached enthusiastically.
“Honey?” He studied me, hesitant.
I sneered, “You’re still asleep.”
He gave a false smile, pushing Jason, “Quick,
Jason, call Mom.”
Jason approached hesitantly, eyes filled with
disbelief, “You are you really my mom?”
I looked at him; he was overweight, with dark
circles under his eyes and greasy skin, as if
he hadn’t showered in days.
His clothes were wrinkled, making him look
listless.
When I didn’t speak, he frowned, muttering,
“Aren’t you a housekeeper for the rich?”
I corrected him, “I’m a senior housekeeper.
You’re older now; broaden your horizons.”
Donna, touching her pregnant belly, said
sourly, “Sister, I heard you earn $60,000 a
month, more than many executives.”
Catherine gasped, raising her voice,
“$60,000?!”
The security guard said to Donna, “You look
ten years older than Ms. Jiang. You’re calling
her ‘sister‘?”
I chuckled; Donna touched her face, unable to
retort.
Without her executive status and savings, she
was no longer arrogant.
Catherine’s eyes widened; she rushed
forward, yelling, “You earn $60,000 a month
but only give $1,000 in child support! That’s
not enough! Give us at least $50,000.
$10,000 for you is plenty!”
Her entitled attitude made me laugh.
For the first time, I realized my mother–in-
law, who’d oppressed me for years, was
ignorant and greedy.
“You didn’t think that because you were
briefly my mother–in–law and controlled me,
you could control my life.”
“You!” She was speechless, her eyes rolling
as she grabbed Jason, “And Jason! Even
divorced, you’re still his mother! Who should
you give your money to?”
I looked at Jason.
Despite his disdain, he knew right from
wrong; he couldn’t meet my gaze, looking
timid.
He hid behind Catherine, whispering, “Give
the money to Grandma; then I’ll still
acknowledge you.”
I coldly said, “No, I’m not your mother
anymore.‘
He was stunned, annoyed, even yelling, “What
are you so proud of? A $60,000 housekeeper!
You think people are fools, that you’re being
kept!
I don’t want your dirty money!”
This child was hopeless.
Jason’s father touched his nose, trying to
appease me, “Nina, don’t worry, Jason is
く
secretly praising your beauty. I didn’t know
you were so capable.”
I ignored them, turning to Catherine, “My
money has nothing to do with you. The
agreement states no visitation; don’t use
Jason to threaten me.”
I warned Jason’s father, “Don’t disgust me.
Remember that slap in the car?”
Donna’s face changed; she pulled Jason’s
father’s ear, yelling, “What do you mean? You
see your ex–wife is rich and beautiful; you
regret it?
You ruined my job; you want to abandon me?
No way!”
Jason’s father quickly explained.
Catherine, seeing I wouldn’t compromise,
pushed Jason forward.
“No money? Take Jason! We won’t let you
live in peace!”
They were being unreasonable.
I looked at Jason, amused, “Did you all plan
this?”
His face fell; his eyes rolled. He suddenly
grabbed my hand, crying.
“Mom, Dad and Grandma don’t care about
- me. They only like Donna’s baby. I’ll have a
terrible life when he’s born!”
I stared at him, watching him act.
He wiped his tears, pointing at Donna, yelling,
“Mom, she’s a bad woman. She dislikes me
and scolds me behind Grandma and Dad’s
backs.
She only gives her daughter good food and
secretly gives her allowance; I’m so
miserable!”
“Jason, you’ve changed,” I said, amused.
He looked at me, confused.
“You’re a good actor, but I liked your spirit
before. Don’t make me look down on you.”
Exposed, his face flushed, and he let go of
L
my hand.
He still mumbled, “Mom, what are you saying?
I don’t understand.”
Ignoring him, I told the security guard, “Call
the police; they’re blackmailing me.”
I coldly warned, “Don’t use Jason to threaten
me! You’re treating the divorce agreement
like a joke!
Push me again, and I’ll shut down Jason’s
father’s company!”
Jason’s father broke out in a cold sweat, “Did
you cause Donna’s problems?”
I smirked, “She’s full of flaws. Did I need to
interfere? Jason’s father, you think you can
stay clean?”
Jason’s father gritted his teeth, pointing at
me, “Nina, you’re good! Let’s see how long
your good times last!”
Seeing the security guard call the police, he
quickly dragged his family away.
<
Jason, failing to achieve his goal and
exposed, pushed me hard.
“You evil woman! Die! I really disown you!”
“I’d prefer that.”
“Just a housekeeper! Not even worthy of
carrying Dad’s shoes! A little money doesn’t
make you superior; it’s disgusting!”
Off guard, my heel twisted, and I hurt my
ankle.
A sharp pain shot through me.
I gritted my teeth, coldly saying, “As long as
you stay away, you won’t see me.”
The family left angrily.
Though I’d decided to give up on Jason, I
realized he was the most damaged in that
family.
From childhood, his disdain for me was
ingrained.
His tears were just a tactic.
Exposed, he changed his attitude.
His insults were his true feelings.
Catherine and Jason’s father’s parenting was
successful.
But his accusations against Donna were
probably true.
I waited for the explosion of that complicated,
remarried family.
