Chapter 3

Aunt Carol's tone was so righteous, as if the money had always been hers.

I could also hear the sound of other relatives cracking sunflower seeds in the background.

"Aunt Carol."

I tried to keep my voice steady.

"That video is fake. It's just my boss making things up. I was fired, and I didn't get a single cent of severance."

"Fake? How could it be!"

Aunt Carol's voice grew even louder.

"How could a big boss like that put out a fake video? It's all over the internet!"

"Quinn, I carried you around a lot when you were little. How can you now forget your family just because you've gotten rich?"

"You can't forget where you came from! It's just fifty grand, pocket change from your eight million!"

The phone's speaker was loud, and the surrounding colleagues all heard.

Brenda immediately covered her mouth, giggling as she whispered to the person next to her.

"See? Even her family is asking for money. She definitely got it."

Liam also chimed in sarcastically.

"Exactly. So stingy with her own family, no wonder she doesn't want to treat us."

My knuckles were white from gripping the phone.

In their eyes, I was fresh meat, and everyone wanted a bite.

"Aunt Carol, I'm telling you one last time: I don't have the money."

I hung up immediately after saying that, then blocked her number.

Before I could even catch my breath, my phone vibrated again.

My Uncle Bob, my Aunt Sarah, and classmates I hadn't spoken to in years.

SnapChat messages were exploding, all asking for "money," "contributions," or "help."

I looked at the constantly flickering screen, feeling both ridiculous and sad.

In my past life, I explained to each one, sending them screenshots of my pay stub.

But they called it photoshopped and accused me of being a miser.

This life, I was too tired to explain.

I simply put my phone on silent, threw it into my bag, and walked out of the company doors with my box.

The whispers behind me felt like daggers in my back.

"She really left? So dramatic!"

"Why would you work if you had eight million? I'd travel the world."

"Acting all high and mighty. She's probably just afraid we'll ask her to treat us."

Stepping out of the office building, the cold wind on my face helped me clear my head a bit.

The current situation was very disadvantageous for me.

Mr. Sterling insisted he'd given me the money, and my relatives and friends all believed him.

If I wanted to turn this around, I needed ironclad proof of Mr. Sterling's fraud.

But I had already handed over all the company accounts, and Mr. Sterling kept the core ledgers under strict control.

As I waited for a car by the roadside, a familiar figure rushed towards me.

"Quinn!"

My mom, Susan, carrying her old canvas bag, ran up, panting, and grabbed my hand.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" I was surprised.

Our hometown was two hours away. How did she get here so fast?

My mom's eyes gleamed, and her grip on my hand was terrifyingly strong.

"I saw it on TikTok in the village! Is it true, eight million? Where is it? Is it in your account?"

Seeing her greedy expression, my heart sank.

In my past life, when I was being brutally attacked online,

She didn't defend me. Instead, she stole my ID and household registration.

She took those documents, swayed by a real estate agent, and bought an 8-million-dollar mansion, racking up massive predatory loans!

She claimed she wanted to help me manage my money, to save it for me.

But what was the result?

Debt collectors showed up, smashing our house to pieces. She knelt on the ground, begging me to take out "that eight million" to pay off the debt.

When I refused, she cursed me for being unfilial, for watching my own mother die.

Looking at that familiar face, a chill ran down my spine.

"Mom, that video is fake. I was fired. My boss just made it up to avoid taxes."

I tried to make her see reason.

My mom didn't listen at all. She suspiciously scrutinized me, her eyes sharp with cunning.

"Fake? How could a big boss like that just spread rumors?"

"Quinn, are you afraid I'll manage your money? Let me tell you, you're young and not good with money. That much money isn't safe with you."

"Give me your card and ID. I'll put it in a fixed deposit for you. The interest alone will be enough for us!"

As she spoke, she reached for my bag.