Chapter 4

But Dad didn't let up.

Eleanor and Harold came to Mom again, urging her to make peace with Dad.

"Matthew refuses to lend money to your brother. Your nephew is about to get married, but the bride's family says they'll cancel the wedding if he doesn't buy a house. Daughter, just sweet-talk Matthew for now."

"Loan interest is so high! As his aunt, you have to help your nephew!"

I was about to say I'd lend the money when Mom covered my mouth.

She agreed to go see Dad.

On the way, I was confused: "I have money. If my cousin needs it, I can lend it to him."

Mom shook her head, her eyes filled with a determination I couldn't understand: "That's your uncle's business. You don't owe him anything. You don't understand them — once you lend this money, it'll be hard to get back."

"This divorce — I'm going through with it. But first, I need to put on a show."

The route led to the National Energy Company.

Tomorrow was my official reporting day.

Today I could familiarize myself with the place.

We found our way to Dad's office.

He was glowing, listening to his subordinates' flattery.

Seeing me and Mom, his expression changed drastically.

"You two go home now. The security guard should be criticized for letting just anyone in!"

Dad slammed the table, telling his subordinate to reprimand the guard.

"Mr. Rivers, the guard was someone you brought in."

Dad suddenly realized and stopped pursuing the guard's responsibility, instead urging us to leave.

"Say what you need to say and leave quickly."

Mom sat calmly on the sofa and spoke lightly: "What you said the other day woke me up. I choose to divorce you."

"Just sign it."

Dad was instantly furious at being slapped in the face.

He stood up, slamming the table and cursing.

"You want a divorce? Fine! But you have to pay back every penny I spent on you over the years! Otherwise, I'll send you to prison!"

Before I could speak, Susan barged in, making a scene.

"Everyone help Mr. Rivers get justice! Today this money must be recovered!"

Susan wore a business suit, looking like an elite professional.

I hadn't expected Dad to bring Susan into the corporation.

"Uncle Matthew, is this the girlfriend you're setting me up with?"

A sleazy voice sounded in my ear.

I turned to see a man nearly fifty reaching his hand toward me.

"This is my uncle. He's never been in a relationship. He doesn't mind your messy private life. Miss Rivers, you should treasure this."

Susan stood next to the still-angry Dad, her face full of malice.

"Get away! Don't touch my daughter!"

Mom protectively stood in front of me like a mother hen.

The few leading the jeering were clearly Susan's relatives.

Dad was really something — treating the corporation like his private garden.

Susan's relatives kept stirring things up, disturbing the leader in the next office.

"Mr. Rivers can't encourage this kind of bad behavior. Today I'll make the call — Ms. Taylor will get her money back. As a family member of Mr. Rivers disrupting corporate order, she must be severely criticized."

I looked up and memorized his face.

The timing was about right.

The person I was waiting for would arrive soon.

Just then, an authoritative voice rang out.

"Mr. Rivers is right! This must be dealt with seriously today!"

Dad's face lit up as he fawned over the Vice President: "As the Vice President says, arrest them immediately."

Everyone stepped aside respectfully, watching as the Vice President slowly walked toward me.

But the storm Dad expected didn't come.

The Vice President respectfully extended his hand to me.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is our new CEO, Ms. Megan Rivers."

Dad's smugness instantly froze on his face.