Revelations in the Restroom

Feeling a surge of indignation, I was about to leave when I overheard Sam's voice, dripping with sarcasm, "Don't kid yourself about him. No matter how handsome he is, he's out of your league. Others bask in the fragrance of myriad wildflowers, while you might as well tend to me." My head began to throb, an unmistakable sign of my burgeoning headache. It appeared that George had his wildflowers, and even Sam was aware. My cheeks burned with an intense, stinging heat. Moments before, Sam had been fawning over me, obsequiously addressing me as "Madam" in the most ironic manner.

I could vividly imagine the scornful laughter in his heart as he called me "Madam," mocking me as a fool. My hand, clutching my phone, trembled, aching to my very soul.

The voices outside were embarrassingly raucous, and a thought suddenly sprang into my mind. I opened my phone and stealthily stepped out of the cubicle. However, the source of the voices remained elusive. I followed the sound to the back where the cleaning supplies were stored and moved quietly closer. Inside, they were utterly oblivious, engrossed in their folly, which I captured on video without their knowledge.

After leaving the restroom, I checked the footage—graphic proof, albeit slightly nauseating, but potentially useful.

Returning to the private room, my heart was still pounding wildly, and my breathing felt constricted. Inside, the trio's conversation was unintelligible. Angel was swinging her petite legs in George's lap, giggling merrily, while Fiona, from behind, clung to George's neck, her laughter shaking like blooming peach blossoms in the breeze.

I had long grown accustomed to her clingy behavior, their sibling bond seemingly unbreakable. Upon my return, George casually removed Fiona's hand and asked with feigned nonchalance, "Why were you gone so long? The food is getting cold."

I resumed my seat, and Fiona returned to hers, glancing at me with a hint of mockery, "Sister-in-law, why do you keep slipping away? My brother doesn't enjoy his meals without you."

I disregarded her and looked deliberately at George, "One is beyond redemption if he strays from the righteous path."

George's gaze tightened, a faint smirk flickered on his lips, "What's this all about? Why such profound reflections?"

He bombarded me with a triplet of inquiries. I smiled ruefully, my heart aching unbearably, having clearly struck a nerve.

Maintaining an air of nonchalance, I continued, "It is a cold world indeed! Have men now come to cherish both domestic and wild blossoms alike? Or am I simply behind the times?"

George's eyes briefly lowered, then he casually fed Angel a piece of meat before looking back at me with a calm, composed smile, "Wife, you've become quite sensitive. What's prompted these musings? This talk of home and wild flowers—where did you pick up such nonsense?"

Fiona muttered disdainfully, "So cryptic!"

Ignoring her, I kept my focus on George, "Don't pretend ignorance. This has nothing to do with sensitivity, nor is it mere reflection. Some are simply ruled by their base desires, losing control of their 'third leg' at the slightest temptation." I glanced at him sharply, feeling the tension in his eyes, though his expression remained serene.

Suppressing my inner turmoil, I chuckled lightly, "Husband, surely you haven't been ensnared by a 'wildflower' too? Such composure! Our good days have scarcely begun, don't tell me you've succumbed to lust as well!"

"Nonsense!" George retorted quickly, his face reddening, "I have enough with you all; I lack neither the energy nor the interest for others. You'd do well not to make such insinuations."

He then offered me a piece of freshly served sea cucumber, "Have some; it's a new addition. Don't be consumed by wild thoughts all day. Your husband isn't so idle."

Hmph! I scoffed inwardly, feigning innocence like a sly fox.

Unexpectedly, my words displeased Fiona. She pursed her lips, her eyes cool as she turned to me...

Fiona seemed displeased with my words and spoke with a hint of irritation, "Sister-in-law! Don't you understand the good fortune you're living in? Are you unaware of how good my brother has been to you? The reason you can luxuriate every day as a full-time housewife is entirely due to my brother's efforts alone. What gives you the right to be so picky and domineering?"

I regarded Fiona with an icy gaze, "Oh? Does it pain you to hear your brother criticized? Since when do you need to interject in conversations between your brother and me?"

Rolling her eyes, Fiona began to retort, "I—"

"What about 'I'? What's wrong with being a full-time housewife?" I interrupted her sharply, "It seems you have some unresolved issues with the concept of a full-time housewife, don't you? No wonder you made such a show of experiencing the life of a lady at the Apex Tower. Enjoyable, wasn't it?"

My eyes bore into Fiona with an intimidating intensity, signaling that my usual forbearance had been mistaken for weakness.

"A solo struggle by your brother? Why don't you ask him if he dares claim such a thing to my face?" I didn't afford Fiona another chance to speak, "When I was tirelessly networking across G city, humbling myself until I suffered from gastric bleeding, were you or your family unaware? Your brother hasn't dared claim he's done it all by himself, yet you have the audacity to tell me I have no right?"