Chapter 3

The next Monday morning, we were having our department review meeting.

The atmosphere in the conference room was incredibly tense. Our director was tearing apart last quarter’s financial reports.

I stood in front of the projector, pointing my laser pointer at the slides.

"Our growth points for the next quarter will mainly focus on..."

Bang!

The conference room door was violently kicked open.

The receptionist, her face flushed and panicked, rushed inside.

"Manager Miller! Something's wrong!"

"There are three people downstairs claiming to be your family. They’re causing a massive scene at the front desk!"

"They're trying to force their way past the security gates, and the guards can't even hold them back!"

My director frowned at me, his eyes filled with immense displeasure.

My colleagues whispered among themselves, the murmurs buzzing like annoying flies.

"Her parents showed up at the office?"

"Are those Manager Miller's parents? That’s so trashy."

I felt the blood drain from my face instantly.

The laser pointer in my hand trembled, the red dot bouncing wildly across the screen.

What were they doing here?

I took a deep breath, walked out of the conference room, and took the elevator down.

When I arrived at the lobby, a crowd had already gathered.

Richard was wearing his brand-new leather jacket, his chubby face red as he screamed at the security guards.

"I’m her father! Since when do I need an appointment to see my ungrateful daughter?!"

"Get your boss down here! Let's see who's in the right!"

My mom, Sarah, was shrinking behind him, her head bowed like a victim.

And Tyler was holding up his phone, filming the receptionist and guards right in their faces.

He was shouting profanities: "Everyone look at this!"

"This is how a big corporate manager treats her family!"

"She acts all high and mighty in the big city, but she doesn't even recognize her own parents!"

"Is there no justice left in this world?!"

The security guard was about to radio for backup to throw them out.

I walked over quickly and barked, "Stop it!"

The three of them turned around in unison.

Seeing me, Tyler immediately aimed his phone camera at my face.

"Oh, look who decided to show up! The big shot herself!"

"Guys, look! This is my sister, Chloe Miller, the girl who abandoned her parents!"

Richard let out a cold snort, crossing his arms as he stepped forward.

"So you finally decided to come down?"

"I thought you died up there."

The surrounding stares felt like needles stabbing into my skin.

Some were amused, some disgusted, some gloating.

I felt like a stripped clown standing in public.

But I couldn't back down.

If I showed weakness now, I’d be ruined for the rest of my life.

I stared coldly at Tyler, pushing his phone camera away from my face.

"What are you doing here? This is a workplace, not a circus."

"You want to make a scene? Fine. I’ll call the police right now."

"When they get here, you’ll be charged with trespassing and harassment. You'll spend at least five days in jail."

Hearing the word "police," Richard’s eyelid twitched.

His arrogant attitude toned down slightly.

He reached into his leather jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled document.

With a loud slap, he slammed it onto the marble reception desk.

"Stop trying to scare me with the cops."

"The buyout money for the old house hasn't cleared yet. To avoid any future trouble, you sign this first."

I looked down.

The bold header read: "Notarized Waiver of Family Inheritance and Asset Claims."

So that was it.

They didn't come to see me.

They were just terrified I’d demand a share of their new wealth.

Richard spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Your mother said it herself. Once you get married, you belong to another family."

"This money has nothing to do with you."

"Sign it, so we don't have to deal with your greed later."

Tyler chimed in from the side, his face looking greedy and repulsive.

"Chloe, don't blame Dad."

"I need to start a business, and we need to pool our family capital together."

"Once you sign, we're still family. When I get rich, do you think I won't look out for you?"

I ignored them and turned to look at my mom, who hadn't spoken a word.

"Mom, is this what you want too?"

"Do you also think I'm an outsider who doesn't deserve a single cent?"

Sarah raised her head, her eyes dodging mine.

She mumbled, "Chloe... just sign it."

"Don't make your stepfather angry. We just want peace in the family."

"Your brother will be your support system in the future..."

Support?

From a spoiled brat who only knew how to leech off his parents and buy sports cars?

In that exact moment, my heart died completely.

I smiled.

"Fine."

"Since we're settling accounts, let's go to my apartment and do it right."

"Let's calculate everything clearly."