"You're right. I don't hold a position in the company, so I can't fire her." I held his gaze. "But as your wife, I have every right to slap her."
Bruno immediately pulled the sobbing Ellie into his arms. "Judith, you've gone too far!"
Perhaps earlier, when I'd caught him eating Ellie's leftovers, some small part of him still felt guilty toward me.
Now that guilt was gone.
"I've been too lenient with you. That's why you think you can do whatever you want."
"As punishment, I'm freezing every single one of your cards."
Ellie had been crying just a moment ago. But the second she heard that all my cards were being cut off, the corners of her mouth curled upward, impossible to hide.
"Oh, that seems a bit harsh, Mr. Matthews. Tonight was supposed to be your wife's treat. If you freeze all her cards, how is she going to pay the bill?"
"This dinner tab has to be at least ten thousand dollars. That's more than enough to press charges. If Mrs. Matthews can't pay, the police will probably take her in."
Bruno drew a deep breath. "Judith, apologize to Ellie. Do that, and I'll let tonight go."
"Apologize to her? Have you lost your mind, or have I?"