Chapter 5 NOW UNDER THE SAME ROOF

Linda scoffed. "Do you still think I'm that gullible little girl who believed every word you said? You'll give me a house and keep Granny under top-tier care? Please. You'll dump her on the streets the moment you get what you want-and make sure I have no way to survive, just to erase all possible threats to your precious Kate."

Her grandmother's expression turned venomous.

"You'll do exactly as you're told. Don't start thinking you're invincible just because you've shared a bed with Don Ashford. Do you really think you'll remain his wife if certain... evidence falls into his hands?"

Linda's blood ran cold, but her gaze didn't falter. The woman before her wasn't just conniving-she was dangerous.

Grandma Alice had anticipated resistance. Which was why, after Linda was chosen as Don's bride, she had drugged her, staged compromising situations, and collected damning photos and hospital records. Evidence that, if revealed, could destroy Linda's position in Don's life.

Should Linda quietly surrender her role as Mrs. Ashford, they'd let her and her grandmother go unharmed. But if she resisted...

They'd both be ruined.

And Linda knew this wasn't an empty threat. The Williams family would not hesitate to obliterate anyone standing in their way-including their own blood.

"Go ahead and do what you think is best. But do you truly believe that I'll be the only one facing consequences if those files reach Don Ashford?" Linda Williams shot back with a sardonic smile.

The evidence in her grandmother's possession could indeed jeopardize her standing, cost her the Ashford name, and enrage Don. However, to Don Ashford, she wasn't just anyone, she was the public face of the Taylor family. If she fell, the entire clan would feel the backlash.

"Once you pass that dirt to him, forget about Kate Williams marrying him. The Taylors will fall, and it won't be pretty!"

Although Grandma Alice was taken aback by Linda's bluntness, she recovered quickly and said in a composed voice, "You think I haven't thought this through? If I dared to go this far, then I have the means to get what I want perfectly!"

"Is that so? Then go ahead and show me how you plan to get it without being involved," Linda replied coolly, calling her bluff.

The old woman's expression hardened. "Don't forget about your grandmother, Linda!"

Linda's voice dropped an octave. "We're all in the same boat. It would be smart not to test how deep the water runs. If you keep pushing me, I'll make sure we all sink together. I've got nothing to lose."

She was more than willing to tolerate their manipulation for her grandmother's sake, but there was no way she would help her half-sibling steal her husband.

If Kate managed to win Don Ashford over, Linda would be tossed aside like yesterday's news. By then, not only would she lose the power to protect her grandmother, she'd be completely at the mercy of the Taylors.

The old matriarch knew Linda wasn't bluffing. She had inherited the same unrelenting nature as her late mother-the very reason the older woman had always despised her.

After a brief silence, Grandma Alice spoke again, this time with less edge. "If you agree to let Kate move into your house, I'll bring in that American specialist you mentioned for your grandmother's care. You don't have to help her; just don't interfere. That's as far as I'm willing to compromise."

"Fine. Once the specialist arrives and sees my grandmother, Kate can move in," Linda responded with cold finality. It didn't matter. She had more than enough ways to quietly ensure her sister didn't overstay her welcome.

"Kate's moving in today," Grandma Alice declared. "I'll have her things delivered this afternoon. You'll inform the Ashfords that your sister's company comforts you."

Linda opened her mouth to protest, but the woman continued.

"Linda, you know it doesn't take much to make nursing care difficult. You wouldn't want your grandmother to suffer, would you?"

The veiled threat cut through the air like a knife. Linda clenched her fists.

Kate stood up and sneered, "You better not try any tricks, Linda. Unless you want to see your precious granny suffer, you'll stay out of my way."

Linda only intended to pull the whole house down if absolutely necessary. They weren't worth dooming herself and her grandmother over. Until she could secure her freedom and enough money to leave with her granny, she would play along.

That very day, Kate Williams moved in. When Linda phoned Don to let him know, he simply responded that household matters were hers to manage.

For all his aloofness, Don Ashford wasn't a bad husband. He never restricted her and rarely interfered. All he ever requested was that she be present when he came home and that she fulfill her duties in their relationship.

At her grandmother's insistence, she also invited Don for dinner that evening.

Kate spent the entire afternoon preparing for his arrival. By dinnertime, she descended the staircase in a skin-tight, ultra-short dress with a plunging neckline, aiming to make a statement that no man could ignore.

She couldn't utter a word. Disgusted and overwhelmed by her sister Linda, which she believed was the damp filth clinging to her, she looked as if she might explode with rage.

"Slut! Just wait! The moment I become Mrs. Don Ashford, I'll make sure you suffer the most humiliating end!" she fumed inwardly.