Not Your Doormat Anymore

"Kourtney, I'm Jace's father. You can call me 'Dad' too... No, just call me Mr. Ranford for now."

Dad was smiling so brightly that I swore ever since I was born, I had never seen that kind of expression on his face.

"Mr. Ranford."

Surrounded by a bunch of older men, Kourtney felt even more uneasy. But remembering what I told her earlier-how she would be representing me today— she took a deep breath and gave Dad a smile.

"It's your first time visiting our home. I don't have much to offer, but take this stack of cash."

He immediately handed her a thick stack of cash. Just from the sight of it, I guessed there was at least ten grand in it.

Kourtney tried to refuse, but I shook my head. "It's not that much. Just take it."noveldrama

She had no choice but to accept it. "Thank you, Mr. Ranford."

"If this brat ever bullies you, come tell me. I'll deal with him for you."

No one interrupted our family moment. After I handed over the gift I bought and

made a few polite exchanges, I pulled Kourtney away from the crowd. Even then,

I could still hear Dad's hearty laughter behind us.

"That's my daughter-in-law!"

I glanced back, only to see that Kourtney's face was already red.

Since it was Dad's birthday party and I was his only son, there were plenty of things that needed my attention. So, I left Kourtney in Mom's care. Seeing how much she liked Kourtney, I figured it would be fine.

While I mingled with the guests, Kourtney found herself surrounded by Mom and a group of wealthy ladies. Their endless questions made her head spin. Under their watchful eyes, she felt completely out of place and lowered her head, her voice growing smaller.

"I... I'm from the countryside. My parents passed away in a car accident not long ago. I only have an uncle left-no other relatives."

Everyone here was clearly from

money. Someone from a small town like her couldn't compare at all. Even the maids and housekeepers in this home might have come from better backgrounds.

When she said that, a few of the ladies' expressions shifted.

Kourtney felt suffocated and excused herself to the restroom, but the villa was

huge, and she couldn't find her way, so the butler had to guide her.

"You're the first woman Mr. Jace has

ever brought home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ranford are thrilled. Ms.

Gomez, don't be nervous. Just treat

this place as your own home," the butler said gently when he noticed her discomfort.

Kourtney looked up, gathering her courage. "Didn't he have a girlfriend before this? The one he dated for many years."

"She thought too highly of herself. She figured she could climb even higher and looked down on our family. She never even came here once."

The butler seemed puzzled too. Casey's family background was way beneath ours, and neither Dad nor Mom approved of her.

But because I had been the one to pursue her, she held herself up like royalty.

She even looked down on the entire Ranford family.

She wanted to be served yet disdained everyone.

That kind of arrogance-who knew where she picked it up?

"So, that's how it was?"

Hearing that she was the first one ever brought home, Kourtney lowered her head. For some reason, a small flutter of joy rose in her chest But as she followed the butler back, she overheard a few voices before they even got close.

"She's not even from around here..."

"If you ask me, since you've only got one son, it'd be better to find someone from

a proper family."

"Exactly. I mean, she's from some tiny place and doesn't even have parents. How pitiful is that?"