The Housewife's Return To Her Alluring Prime - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

In this family, my presence feels minimal. Quinn is the center of attention, the darling of the Holcomb family. Jared, being six years older, has always doted on her.
"Jared..." Quinn used a more pleading tone when she saw Jared contemplating. "Please?"
Jared sighed in resignation. "Have her come to the HR department tomorrow. I'll arrange for someone to train her."
"Great, thanks a lot, bro!" Quinn, having achieved her goal, happily gave Jared a peck on the cheek.
Jared, slightly annoyed, pushed her away gently. "So you're really not planning to go abroad again?"
"Nope." Quinn's eyes flickered. "I want to see if I can launch my own fashion brand here."
Jared nodded approvingly. "And you didn't neglect your studies these past three years abroad, right?"
"Of course not, I was quite serious," Quinn replied, feigning a hint of hurt.
At that moment, James called out from upstairs. "Jared, come up here for a second. I need to discuss a project with you."
Jared headed upstairs, and Quinn suddenly focused her gaze on me. "Victoria, you look a bit different today compared to usual."
"Oh really?" I responded with a forced smile.
"You look much more professional today. By the way, Victoria, I heard from Jared that you're taking over the Harmonia Hotel? You've been out of touch with society for six years. Can you handle it?
"Don't waste money if you can't even make a splash. Sure, you're Jared's wife, but his money doesn't grow on trees. You should appreciate that." Quinn started picking at me.
Since I married into the Holcomb family, Jared has made sure I'm well-provided for, which has never sat well with Quinn. Now, even though Harmonia Hotel is in decline, it still has value. Entrusting it to me likely irks Quinn even more.
"Exactly because I've been out of touch with society for so long, I want to use this job to reintegrate. A woman having a career gives her a better sense of security," I explained calmly.
"Just manage the household and take good care of my little niece. Don't go stirring up trouble," Quinn continued, admiring her nails while sneakily gauging my reaction.
Seeing my face darken, Quinn immediately laughed and said, "Victoria, you know me. I always speak bluntly. Don't get offended, I didn't mean anything by it."
I thought, 'Giving a slap and then offering candy doesn't work on me anymore.' "I know you didn't mean anything, but this is Jared's decision."
With some people, it was better to coldly ignore them rather than engage in a tussle. Quinn's type thrived on confrontation; the more one argued, the more worked up she got. Besides, that was the Holcomb residence—arguing with her didn't do me any good.
"Jared is so annoying. He still wants me to submit a business plan before he invests in my brand." Quinn fumed, getting up and walking out.
I sat quietly on the couch alone. I had no idea where Sally had taken Yvonne—they might be gossiping at the park again with the other old ladies or dancing.
In a moment, Jared came down the stairs. Seeing me alone, he walked over and asked, "Why're you not out with Yvonne?"
"I'm tired." I closed my eyes and checked my phone.
Suddenly, Jared sat beside me, his eyes fixed on my screen. Startled, I quickly turned off the phone.
"Are you hiding something from me?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, displeasure evident.
"Can I look at your phone?" I countered.
Jared leaned back lazily, a mocking smile on his lips. "Don't you sneak off to the bathroom to check it every night anyway?"
I was at a loss for words. His casual mention of past humiliations turned my face red with shame.
"You knew it?" I tried to stay calm, hating my past self for being so naive in love.
"I just wanted you to feel reassured. Did you really think I slept like a log?" Jared's face turned cold.
"It won't happen again," I whispered. "I respect your privacy now."
Jared let out a cold laugh. "The things you said at the office today didn't seem very respectful."
"What are you talking about?" I frowned.
"You talked about me and Tracy getting a room together." Jared's voice turned icy. "Tracy is an unmarried woman. Do you realize how damaging your words are to her reputation?"
I was momentarily stunned. "If her reputation matters to you, then where did all those company rumors come from?"
"I don't care what others say, but you can't do it. Every word you utter becomes a death sentence for her reputation.
"She's not just my subordinate; she's my friend. Don't you think respecting me means respecting my friends too?" Jared's voice grew heavier, and his expression darkened.
I laughed suddenly and kept quiet, thinking, 'Fine. I allow others not to love me. I'll just find a way to love myself.
'There's no way life with someone else would be the same. My marriage with Jared is dead; I can't keep living with him.'
Sally returned with Yvonne and Quinn, signaling the start of dinner.
James smiled kindly at me. "Victoria, isn't it about time you and Jared thought about having another child?"
Before we could respond, Yvonne piped up loudly. "My mom swore she'd never have another kid with Dad."
Both Jared and I froze.
"Children shouldn't interrupt. You should eat your food," Sally coaxed Yvonne with a smile.
Quinn glanced at me snidely. "Yvonne is already six. If you wanted to have another one, it would've happened by now. Victoria, might there be a problem with one of you?"
Jared gave Quinn a stern look. "Don't talk nonsense; we're both perfectly fine."
"So then, you two just don't get together very often?" Quinn half-joked, half-mocked.
Jared's expression stiffened for a moment. In fact, before I came back, we rarely spent intimate time together. But lately, Jared's been pretty fired up in bed.
"It'll get better," Jared said, putting on a supportive front as he placed a piece of beef onto my plate. "Victoria, did you hear that?"
Clearly, Jared was trying to present a loving and harmonious image in front of the family. Naturally, I had to play along. "I heard it," I replied.
Finally, a faint smile appeared on Jared's face. "Yvonne, all your little classmates seem to have younger siblings. Don't you want one?"
Yvonne blinked curiously and looked at Sally.
Sally immediately stroked her head with a warm smile and said, "Look at your aunt and dad—they're siblings who grew up together and always had someone to play with. Wouldn't it be nice for you to have a little sibling too?"
Yvonne, being a child with limited thought process—and likely influenced by the persistent persuasion from Sally—nodded earnestly and replied, "Okay, but I only want a baby brother. No sisters. Brothers will play with me, but sisters will fight with me for my pretty dresses."
As soon as she said this, James and Sally lit up with joy. Quinn, however, made a strange expression but didn't say a word.
Jared gazed at Yvonne fondly, looking deeply pleased as if his daughter had suddenly grown up.
I was the only one remaining calm, watching the scene unfold while thinking to myself, 'If the Holcomb family wants an heir, there are plenty of women out there who'd gladly have Jared's child—but the child would not come from my womb.'
Dinner ended on a fairly cheerful note. Yvonne stayed behind with Sally while Jared announced he would ride back home in my car, sending his driver off for the night.
On the drive home, I rolled down the windows to let the cool breeze in.
At a red light, I rested one elbow lazily on the steering wheel, watching the countdown timer as the wind tousled my long hair around.
Out of instinct, my eyes drifted to the side mirror—and I caught Jared staring straight at me. My heart tensed slightly as I thought to myself, 'What's he playing at now?'
"You seem to have loosened up lately," Jared remarked casually, breaking the silence. "You've become more carefree."