The Passenger Seat Was for My Husband’s Ex

I sat in the passenger seat and the driver told me I wasn't cut out to be the lady of the house.

My husband couldn't get away from his meeting, so he sent the family driver to pick me up.

I had just opened the passenger door and sat down when Jackson, the driver, frowned.

Ma'am, please sit in the back.

Thinking he meant well, I smiled and said, "It's fine. There's more space up front. I'm not picky."

To my surprise, he turned off the engine.

"Not everyone is qualified to sit in this seat."

I froze. "It's just a passenger seat. What's the big deal?"

Jackson glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Smith's former fiance always sat here."

"She was gentle and considerate, never spent his money recklessly."

"Unlike some people. Married in for three years and can't even produce a child."

I was so angry I laughed.

I'd been married to Ethan Smith for three years.

I bought the car, and I paid the driver's salary.

And here he was, taking my money while guarding the passenger seat for some woman I'd never even met.

I stared at Jackson.

"What did you just say?"

Jackson's mouth turned down at the corners.

"Ma'am, I was just speaking casually. Don't be so sensitive."

I unbuckled my seatbelt.

"You're a driver. Since when do you get to tell me where to sit or comment on whether I have children?"

Jackson said nothing.

He rolled down the window and lit a cigarette.

"I don't like the smell of smoke. Put it out."

Jackson exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Mr. Smith never minded these things. Miss Sullivan never made a fuss like you do when she rode in the car."

"Which Miss Sullivan?"

"Susan Sullivan. Mr. Smith's ex-girlfriend. If she hadn't gone abroad, you wouldn't have had your chance."

I pulled out my phone and called Ethan.

"Vivian, did Jackson pick you up?"

I looked at Jackson.

"He did. But he says the passenger seat is reserved for your former fiance and I'm not worthy of sitting there."

Ethan paused.

"What former fiance?"

Jackson immediately turned around.

"Mr. Smith, that's not what I meant!"

I put the call on speaker.

Ethan's voice turned cold.

"Jackson, explain yourself clearly."

Jackson quickly changed his tone.

"Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith misunderstood. I was just worried the passenger seat wasn't safe, so I asked her to sit in the back. As for Miss Sullivan, I only mentioned her in passing. Nothing more."

Ethan spoke up.

"Vivian, don't be upset. I'll have Assistant Blaise come pick you up right away."

"No need."

I pushed open the car door.

"I'll take a cab myself."

"The meeting ends in ten minutes. I'll come find you."

Jackson quickly got out of the car.

"Ma'am, it's blazing hot out here. Don't throw a tantrum. If you leave on your own, Mr. Smith will think I bullied you."

"Didn't you?"

He choked on his words.

He lowered his voice.

"Ma'am, don't be so difficult."

"I've been driving for the Smith family for eight years. The old master used me when he was alive."

"How many years have you been married in?"

I nodded.

"Fine."

"You don't need to do this job today."

Jackson's face darkened.

"What do you mean?"

"Starting now, you're fired."

He let out a scoffing laugh.

"Mr. Smith pays my salary."

"You think you can fire me just like that?"

I waved my phone.

"The salary comes from my personal account."

"I bought this car before I got married."

"Do you still think I'm not qualified?"

Jackson's expression changed.

He laughed coldly.

"Ma'am, don't use money to push people around."

"Mr. Smith values loyalty. He won't fire me just because of one word from you."

"If you make a scene like this, people will just say you can't tolerate the Smith family's old employees."

"Let them say it then."

I turned and walked toward the roadside.

Jackson drove the car after me.

"Ma'am, get in the car."

"If something happens to you in this heat, I can't bear the responsibility when Mr. Smith blames me."

I ignored him.

He suddenly swerved the car and stopped in front of me.

I nearly crashed into the hood.

"Jackson, what do you think you're doing?"

Jackson Hill's face was stern.

"Nothing much."

"Just asking Mrs. Smith to get in the car."

"Don't make this difficult for me."

I took out my phone to call the police.

Ethan's call came through.

Just as I pressed answer, Jackson got out of the car and grabbed my wrist.

"Ma'am, that's enough. A woman crying and making a scene on the streetaren't you embarrassed?"

I shook him off forcefully.

"Touch me one more time and see what happens!"

A black business car screeched to a halt at the roadside.

Ethan got out and strode over quickly.

Jackson immediately let go.

"Mr. Smith, thank goodness you're here."

"Mrs. Smith insisted on getting out of the car. I tried everything to persuade her."

"She even said she'd fire me."

"I was just afraid something would happen to her, so I stopped her."

Ethan walked to my side and held my wrist.

There was a red mark where it had been grabbed.

Ethan's eyes turned completely cold.

"Jackson."

"Who gave you permission to touch her?"

Jackson panicked.

"Mr. Smith, I really didn't mean to."

"Mrs. Smith lost her temper. I was afraid she'd run off."

I pulled my hand back.

"Ethan, I don't want to see him again."

Ethan nodded.

"Alright."

Jackson became anxious.

"Mr. Smith!"

"I've driven for the Smith family for eight years. Even if I haven't achieved much, I've worked hard, haven't I?"

"Are you really going to fire me just because of a few words from Mrs. Smith?"

"It's not just a few words."

Ethan's gaze was extremely heavy.

"You crossed the line."

Jackson stared at me intently.

Early the next morning, property management called.

"Ms. White, Mr. Hill brought a young woman to the underground garage."

"She says Mr. Smith approved itthey're here to get something from your parking space."

I was instantly awake.

"What young woman?"

"She says her name is Sophia Hill, Mr. Hill's niece. She claims Mr. Smith agreed to let her use your car."

"Tell them to wait."

I changed clothes and went downstairs.

Level B2.

Jackson was standing next to my Bentley.

Next to him was a curly-haired girl in her early twenties.

She was taking photos of the car with her phone.

Jackson was all smiles.

"Sophia, stand by the hood."

"You'll be driving this car to and from work from now on. Take a couple photos to post on social media."

I walked up.

"Who said this car is hers to drive?"

Sophia looked me up and down.

"You must be Mrs. Smith?"

"My uncle told me Mr. Smith agreed to take care of me. I just got to Harbor City and it's inconvenient."

I looked at Jackson.

"You were already fired yesterday. How dare you bring someone here today?"

Jackson looked uncomfortable.

"Ma'am, don't speak so absolutely."

"Mr. Smith called me last night and told me to rest for a few days."

"Ethan said that himself?"

Jackson's eyes darted away.

"Mr. Smith is busy, he didn't say it so directly."

"But I've worked for him for years. I understand what he means."

I took out my phone to make a call.

Sophia stepped in front of me.

"Is this really necessary?"

"I'm borrowing the car for a few days, it's not like I'm trying to kill you."

"A nice car sitting there doing nothingwhat's wrong with letting me drive it?"

"Do you have a driver's license?"

Sophia rolled her eyes.

"Obviously."

"I just haven't gotten a license plate number yet."

I held out my hand.

"Show me your license."

"What are you, taking a census?"

Jackson stepped in front of her protectively.

"Ma'am, Sophia just graduated. She's thin-skinned. Don't be so aggressive."

"She has an interview at Smith Corporation in a couple days."

"She'll be working under Mr. Smith in the future. It's not good for you to offend her now."

I stared at him.

"Not only driving my car, but you want to get her into Smith Corporation?"

Sophia sneered.

"My uncle worked for the Smith family all these years. What's wrong with him recommending someone for a job?"

"Mr. Smith needs an assistant who knows how to take care of him."

"Does Ethan know you want to be his assistant?"

Sophia tossed her hair.

"He doesn't know now, but he will eventually."

"Men can't just look at the same woman their whole lives, you know."

Several car owners stopped in their tracks.

Jackson's voice immediately rose.

"Ma'am, I know you look down on us poor relatives."

"Sophia just wants to borrow the car for an interview. There's no need to humiliate her."

Sophia's eyes reddened.

"Uncle, I told you not to come."

"Rich wives like her could never respect people like us."

The property manager stepped forward.

"Ms. White, should I ask them to leave?"

"Please do."

Jackson stood in front of the car.

"I'd like to see who dares move me."

"I used to manage this car. The keys are with me too."

He pulled out a spare key and pressed it.

The car lights flashed.

My face darkened.

I had never given him this key.

"Where did you get the key?"

Jackson gripped the key tightly.

"Mr. Smith gave it to me."

"Call the police."

Sophia screamed.

"Who are you trying to scare!"

"My uncle drove for your family. What's wrong with having a key?"

"Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can bully honest people!"

The property manager took out his phone.

Jackson suddenly fell backward.

"Ow!"

"My back!"

"Ma'am, why did you push me!"

Sophia rushed over, holding up her phone to record.

"Everyone come look!"

"A rich wife bullying people, she pushed my uncle down!"

Jackson clutched his back and groaned.

"My back's been bad. If I'm paralyzed, Mrs. Smith will have to support me for life!"

Sophia held up her phone.

"Don't you dare leave!"

"We need to get to the bottom of this today!"

"I'm not planning to leave. I'm waiting for the police."

Jackson groaned even louder.

"It hurts so much."

"Sophia, call an ambulance quick."

"If something happens to your uncle, you have to get justice for me."

Sophia burst into tears.

"Uncle, don't scare me."

She turned and shouted.

"My uncle has worked like a dog for the Smith family for eight years, and you still bully him like this!"

"Do rich people get to hit whoever they want?"

"I didn't touch him."

Sophia shoved the camera in my face.

"Everyone listen to thisshe still won't admit it!"

"My uncle is lying on the ground and she says she didn't touch him!"

Several aunties who regularly walked their dogs in the complex came over.

Auntie Zoe in the purple jacket immediately called out.

"Mr. Hill, what happened?"

Jackson looked as if he'd seen his savior.

"Zoe, I'm alright."

"Mrs. Smith fired me, wouldn't let my niece borrow the car, and then she pushed me."

Auntie Zoe glared at me.

"Young lady, you can't be so excessive."

"Mr. Hill is so nice normally. He even helps us carry packages when it rains."

Another auntie chimed in.

"He always says your Mrs. Smith has a bad temper. I didn't believe it, but now I see it's true."

I looked at Jackson.

"Is this how you've been spreading rumors in the complex?"

Jackson kept his head down.

"I haven't said anything bad about you."

"I occasionally chat with the neighbors and mention that you're young and don't know how to be considerate."

Auntie Zoe immediately backed him up.

"And you still won't admit it?"

"Mr. Hill said you don't even give him a cup of hot tea at home."

"You often make him buy things in the middle of the night."

"He's getting on in years. How easy do you think it is for him?"

"He's a driver, not my father."

"I pay him. I didn't hire him to retire on my dime."

The aunties instantly exploded.

"How can you speak so harshly!"

"No wonder Mr. Hill says you have no manners."

"That Miss Sullivan from before was so gentle and filial."

"You know Susan Sullivan?"

Auntie Zoe pursed her lips.

"Mr. Hill showed us photos."

"Now she's the type who gets married and has children properly."

"Not like you, all flashy and dressed up. Anyone can tell you're not the type to run a household."

Sophia turned the camera toward the aunties.

"Aunties, speak up for justice."

"Hasn't my uncle been dedicated and loyal to the Smith family?"

Auntie Zoe nodded.

"Of course. Mr. Hill is honest and upright. He'd never lie."

Sophia shouted at the phone.

"Did everyone hear that?"

"Even the neighbors know how Mrs. Smith usually mistreats old employees."

I realized what was happening.

She was livestreaming.

I reached out to block the camera.

Sophia screamed.

"She's hitting someone!"

"She's going to hit me again!"

The aunties immediately surrounded me.

"Don't get physical!"

"We're all watching!"

I was trapped in the middle.

The property manager tried to pull people away, but Auntie Zoe blocked him.

"Property management can't play favorites!"

"Rich people bullying others, and you're helping them too?"

I called Ethan.

No answer.

Sophia smiled triumphantly.

"Calling Mr. Smith to intimidate us?"

"Men hate it when women make unreasonable scenes."

She lowered her voice.

"Vivian White, don't think you're secure just because you married Mr. Smith."

"My uncle says Mr. Smith's always had Susan in his heart."

"You're just occupying a position."

"Your uncle said that?"

Sophia's expression flickered.

Jackson immediately shouted.

"Sophia, stop talking to her."

"Let the online viewers judge!"

Sophia read the comments loudly.

"Someone says rich people are disgusting."

"Someone else suggests investigating whether this woman was a homewrecker."

"Vivian White, do you dare say you didn't steal Susan's position?"

The onlookers got even more excited.

"She's a mistress?"

"No wonder she's so arrogant."

"Stealing someone else's man and then bullying old employeestruly shameless."

"I met Ethan when he was single. I didn't interfere with anyone."

Jackson lay on the ground with a sinister smile.

"Ma'am, don't speak so absolutely."

"Mr. Smith gave you face by not bringing up certain things. You should know better."

The looks from everyone around me changed completely.

Sophia seized the opportunity.

"Did everyone hear that? Even the Smith family's old employees are saying it! She used schemes to marry in!"

"Jackson, I'm giving you one last chance. End the livestream, apologize, and hand over the keys. Otherwise I will sue you until you lose everything." I said angrily.

Jackson sat up from the ground.

"Ma'am, who are you trying to scare?"

"Everyone here saw it."

"You pushed me. You're abusing your power."

"You say you'll sue mewhere's your evidence?"

The support pillar happened to block the fixed surveillance camera.

This was premeditated.

The police arrived.

Sophia's livestream was still on.

She cried pitifully.

"Officers, you have to help us."

"My uncle wanted to get his own things back, and she pushed him down."

"She even threatened that we won't be able to survive in Harbor City."

Jackson held his back, supported by two aunties.

"I didn't want to make a big deal out of this. A working person can't afford to offend the Smith family."

"But she's gone too far."

The police looked at me.

"Is this accurate?"

"No, it's not."

I pointed at Jackson.

"He was already fired yesterday. Today he came to my parking space with someone without permission."

"He has my spare car key and wanted to lend the car to his niece."

"I didn't push him. He's faking an injury."

Sophia yelled.

"Lies!"

"That key belonged to my uncle all along!"

"I'm the car owner. How could the key be his?"

Jackson quickly jumped in.

"Mr. Smith asked me to keep it. I drive for the Smith familyit's normal for me to have a key."

The police verified the electronic vehicle registration.

"Do you have authorization from the owner?"

Jackson stammered.

"Mr. Smith authorized it."

"Do you have written proof?"

"No."

Sophia quickly added.

"Mr. Smith said it verbally."

I laughed coldly.

"Then let's wait for Ethan."

Footsteps came from the elevator.

Ethan and Blaise walked over quickly.

He pushed through the crowd and pulled me behind him.

"Are you hurt?"

I shook my head.

Sophia's eyes lit up as she hurried forward.

"Mr. Smith, I'm Sophia Hill. My uncle often mentions you."

Ethan stared at Jackson.

"Was I not clear enough yesterday?"

Jackson's face paled.

"Mr. Smith, I know you were angry."

"I came today to get some things. I didn't expect Mrs. Smith to push me."

Ethan's voice was ice cold.

"You're certain she pushed you?"

Jackson gritted his teeth.

"Certain."

Sophia nodded along.

"I saw it with my own eyes."

The aunties all chimed in.

"We saw Mr. Hill lying on the ground too."

"This young woman is too aggressive. She even said she'd sue people until they lost everything."

Ethan glanced at them.

Auntie Zoe muttered.

"Having money doesn't mean you can silence everyone. The people have eyes."

Ethan took a tablet from Blaise.

"The underground garage surveillance has already been pulled."

Jackson's eyelid twitched.

Sophia tried to stand tall.

"Pull it then."

"The pillar's blocking it anyway. Who knows if it caught anything."

Ethan looked up.

"How did you know the pillar was blocking it?"

Sophia's face went white.

"I just saw it."

"So you already picked out the location?"

Jackson cut her off sharply.

"Shut up!"

Ethan handed the tablet to the police.

"The fixed camera really can't capture everything."

Jackson relaxed.

Ethan continued.

"But the car has special surveillance. All sounds and images were recorded crystal clear."