The Housewife's Return To Her Alluring Prime - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

I had already reserved a private room at a fancy restaurant. On the table for ten, I put out the Bordeaux I had brought along. It was the wine Jared left at home, and I used it as a favor.
Of course, the few wine-loving top executives stared right at the bottle, eager to get a taste. "Mr. Holcomb and Mrs. Holcomb seem close. Mrs. Holcomb, you're lucky."
"Yeah, Mr. Holcomb's young and successful, and he spoils you. You've got a good thing going."
I was tired of these polite compliments. If Jared and I didn't keep up appearances, nobody would know we hadn't talked in three days or had any intimacy in over a year.
Jared carried himself like a powerful man. Wearing a black shirt, he looked even more distinguished. Every move showed his confidence.
"Help yourself, everyone. Victoria will need your support going forward. Let's eat," Jared said with a smile, backing me up a bit.
Everyone started drinking. Someone poured wine into my glass. I reached for it, but suddenly a big hand blocked it. Then Jared said, "She's not drinking. We're trying to have a baby."
Right after that, everyone looked at us with a knowing glance. I looked at Jared and thought he was nuts. "Mrs. Holcomb, you're lucky. You and Mr. Holcomb will have a healthy baby."
"You two have great genes. Have more kids, don't waste it."
I quietly put down my glass. Then, right away, I picked up Jared's glass and smiled, "Pregnancy prep? Once we build the Harmonia Hotel brand and make it big, then we'll think about another baby."
I downed Jared's Bordeaux in one go. I saw his face go pale instantly. Nobody noticed the quiet battle between Jared and me. They just thought it was a playful moment between a couple.
The wine made my head spin. I quickly got up and headed to the bathroom. I really couldn't keep up; the consequences hit fast.
"Ugh..." I tried hard to throw up the wine but failed. My face flushed bright red, my eyes shiny. I looked in the mirror and gave a bitter smile.
Someone nearby was washing his hands. Jared's face appeared next to mine. His eyes cooled down a bit. "Don't you know your limit? Don't be so reckless next time."
"I'm fine," I said, splashing cold water gently on my face. "Thanks for worrying." My politeness made Jared mad. He ignored me and went back to the private room.
I took a deep breath and went back. As soon as I sat down, Jared's phone rang on the table. I glanced at it without thinking. It was Tracy's name.
Jared grabbed his phone, pushed the door open again, and left. A few minutes later, he came back and told me, "Company stuff came up. I have to leave." Several executives stood to see him off. Jared waved and left.
The rest of the dinner went on. Those who wanted to drink still drank happily, but some women's looks toward me suddenly changed. Their eyes showed sympathy mixed with some amusement.
I understood. Jared's favoritism toward Tracy was completely obvious now. I, the nominal wife of Jared, naturally became their dinner gossip.
After dinner, I stayed in the temporary office at the Harmonia Hotel. Around four in the afternoon, Jared asked if I had sobered up and if I could go to the parent-teacher meeting that evening.
I thought Yvonne wanted Tracy to go instead of me, so I said I was busy and had a headache. Jared knew I had messed up drinking that morning. He said, "I was busy, too. If you can't go, I'll have my mom go."
"Do whatever," I said coldly. When I got home after nine, I found Yvonne sitting on the couch, angrily tearing a book apart.
When I walked in, she clenched her little fists and stormed at me. "You don't want me to be friends with Tracy, right? Why are you so mean? Why did you make Grandma go to the meeting? Tracy and I had already agreed!"
My daughter looked at me like I was an enemy. I didn't expect a parent meeting to make her that upset. I quietly said, "I didn't stop Tracy from going. It was your dad's call, not mine."
"It was you. I know it. Dad wouldn't stop me from liking her. Only you keep stopping me," Yvonne blamed me for everything.
I looked down at her like a queen, my eyes cold and emotionless. "Yvonne, you really like Tracy, don't you?" I asked.
Maybe because my tone changed, Yvonne blinked hard and said nothing. I crouched down and fixed her messy hair. I gave a fake smile without feeling.
"If you like something, then go after it. I'm your mom. I want you to be happy. I won't control you anymore. I won't stop you from making friends. Yvonne, do you like me as your mom?" I asked.
Yvonne froze for a second, and then nodded, "If you mean that, I'll still like you."
"Good. From now on, see whoever you want. I won't stop you." I lightly patted her shoulder and stood up, heading to the kitchen. Wendy was making some food to boost my energy. She brought a bowl over. "Mrs. Holcomb, it's still warm."
"Thanks," I said politely and sat down to eat slowly.
Yvonne had planned a big tantrum, but I calmed her quickly with a few words. She probably had no fight left and ran upstairs.
I had just finished eating when I heard Jared's car engine shut off. I stood up to go upstairs. Halfway up the stairs, Jared came in. I ignored him, didn't say hi, and went straight to my bedroom.
Jared went upstairs to the kids' room. They talked for over half an hour. When he came out, Jared strode to my door, his face angry. "Victoria, how do you talk to our daughter?"
I was holding my pajamas, ready to shower. Seeing Jared suddenly mad, I said calmly, "What did I do?"
"Why did you talk to Yvonne about Tracy? What are you trying to do?" Jared asked sharply.
I couldn't help but laugh. "I was just having a normal talk with my daughter. No bad influence. What's wrong with that?"
"The rumors about me and Tracy at work never stop. Now you talk to Yvonne about her. Are you trying to make our daughter think our marriage is falling apart because of Tracy?" Jared said coldly, staring at me.
"Doesn't she share some blame, too?" I crossed my arms and smirked in reply.