Chapter 4

I stepped back, guarding my bag.

"Mom! I told you, I don't have the money!"

Passersby openly stared, some already pulling out their phones to record.

I knew this was bad.

The "8 million severance" story was trending. If I was seen arguing with my mother on the street, and it got posted online, that would only add fuel to the fire.

"Look at you, child! Why are you hiding things from your own mother?"

When my mom saw I wouldn't budge, her eyes immediately reddened. She plopped down on the ground, slapped her thigh, and began to wail.

"Heartless! I raised you all these years, and now that you're rich, you don't recognize your own mother!"

"Eight million dollars! You go enjoy yourself while your mom has to struggle in the countryside!"

"Everyone, come judge! This daughter is unfilial!"

More and more people gathered, their murmurs growing louder.

"Isn't that the woman who got eight million? I saw the video!"

"She looks honest, but how could she treat her own mother like that?"

"Money changes people. There are so many ingrates these days."

Someone even shoved a camera in my face.

Mr. Sterling hadn't even made his move yet, but my mother had already plunged the first knife into my heart.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

I couldn't fight her directly; that would only confirm I was a "heartless rich miser."

I crouched down, my eyes red-rimmed, my voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the surrounding people to hear.

"Mom, please don't make a scene. If I really had eight million, would you be wearing these cheap clothes?"

"Look at my phone; the screen is shattered, and I haven't even replaced it."

"My boss is deliberately spreading rumors to avoid paying actual severance, trying to ruin my life!"

"I've even lost my job now; I can't even pay next month's rent."

"If you keep this up, we'll both end up begging for food!"

The murmurs around us shifted slightly.

"She doesn't look like she has money..."

"Yeah, no big boss would really give eight million; it's probably just a gimmick."

"This mother is out of line. Whether it's true or not, you don't publicly shame your daughter like this."

My mom saw the shift in public opinion. She paused, then got up from the ground, wiping her nose.

"He... he really didn't give it to you?"

"No! If you don't believe me, we can go to the bank right now and check!"

I grabbed her hand, ready to go.

My mom's eyes flickered, and she pulled her hand back.

"N-no need. Well, if you don't have money, can you at least let me borrow your ID?"

"My ID expired, and since I'm in the city now,"

"I wanted to apply for a senior citizen's card, but they said I need a local resident permit, or to use my child's."

My heart lurched.

In my past life, she used this exact excuse to trick the documents out of my bag.

I looked at her evasive gaze and understood everything.

She wanted to use my documents to "confirm," or perhaps... she had already been brainwashed by that real estate agent.

Mr. Sterling's video was the best "proof."

"My ID is at home; I didn't bring it with me," I lied.

"Then hurry home and get it!"

My mom became anxious, no longer crying. She grabbed me, pulling me towards the subway station.

I smirked inwardly, showing no emotion on my face, obediently following her.

You want my ID? Then I'll give you a "surprise."

Back at my rented apartment, in front of her,

I rummaged through drawers and cabinets for a long time, then spread my hands helplessly.

"Oh, Mom, I think I left it at the office."

My mom's face instantly changed. Just as she was about to explode, my phone rang.

I had an ominous feeling.

"Hello, is this Ms. Quinn Hayes?"

The voice on the other end was a man's, polite but with an unsettling coldness.

"This is Prime Loans. Your mother, Susan Hayes, just submitted a loan application on our platform."

"Due to the substantial amount, we need to verify with you."

My blood ran cold.

My mom was right next to me!

I turned to look at my mom.

She guiltily averted her gaze, her hand unconsciously clutching her canvas bag tightly.

Inside that bag... could it be?

"How much did she apply for?"

I asked, trembling.

"Three million dollars. The collateral used is a down payment proof for a property currently under purchase, as well as..."

"A high-definition printout of Mr. Sterling's video promising the eight-million-dollar severance package."