Chapter 4

I was about to add a few more reassuring words when Linda's furious cursing came through the phone.

"Stop being so paranoid! She already said it's fine. Why are you asking so many questions!"

"This kind of money-making opportunity---people are fighting over it.

If you keep hesitating, you won't even get scraps!"

Imagining Nathan cowering on the other end, unable to speak up, a mocking smile crossed my lips.

"That's right, Nathan. Just listen to Linda. Opportunities don't wait."

Two days after the money was transferred, Linda received a deposit of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

In the following days, she went around the neighborhood endlessly sharing her investment wisdom.

She even claimed that anyone who wanted to make money could come to her for advice---five thousand dollars per consultation.

The neighborhood was full of retired folks with pensions and nothing to do.

"Linda, you really made three hundred fifty thousand? That's not pocket change!"

"What kind of business is this? Can you bring me in on it?"

"Of course!"

She patted her chest, guaranteeing everyone they wouldn't lose money.

Watching one consultation fee after another roll in, Linda's smile never faded.

Nathan became even more arrogant, completely reclaiming his masculine

pride.

"Mia, I told you that you don't have your priorities straight, always supporting your family."

"Now you've missed out on such a great opportunity to get rich. Being jealous won't help."

I watched their smug displays, secretly sneering inside.

That three hundred fifty thousand was just bait the scammer threw out to hook bigger fish.

Just wait---this was only the beginning.

The happier they were now, the more miserable they'd be when they lost everything.

From that day on, I never returned to that house.

I used the excuse of caring for my sick mother to move back to my parents' home.

Seeing my parents again, I couldn't help but throw myself into their arms and cry.

Seeing me return alone, my mom looked worried.

"Mia, be honest with us. You and Nathan..."

I wiped my tears and said:

"We're divorced."

After I spoke, I felt anxious, but I saw her breathe a sigh of relief.

"Good. Your father said all along that boy wasn't good enough for

you."

"I'll have your aunt set you up with some better prospects."

Her words made me laugh, and the depression and grievance I'd been carrying lifted considerably.

During my time at my parents' house, I completely avoided the Williams family's troubles and focused on spending time with my parents.

Linda was too absorbed in her get-rich-quick dream to bother with me.

But calculating the timeline, it was almost time for the scammer to close the net.

Sure enough, within two days, I received frantic calls from Nathan.

When I didn't answer, message after message flooded in.

"Mia, you knew all along, didn't you? That person was a scammer!"

"Now the bank's coming to collect debt every day. This is all your fault.

You have to take responsibility!"

Seeing his crazed state, I simply changed my social media accounts and contact information.

My phone finally fell silent.

The next news I heard about Linda came when I was leaving work and two old ladies downstairs were gossiping.

When I heard the total amount collected, I couldn't help but gasp.

I knew Linda would scam money from people, but I didn't expect her to raise an amount that could lead to a life sentence.

Linda's online boyfriend had vanished without a trace.

The mortgage on the house worth hundreds of thousands, the loan sharks, and all those retirees' pension money---all gone.

Now they couldn't even go home. Every day, people demanding their money back blocked the door.

"At her age, falling for an online romance. Does she really think anyone would be interested in an old lady?"

"What about her son and daughter-in-law? Why aren't they doing anything?"

"Oh my, her son can't even take care of himself. I heard he borrowed from loan sharks and got one of his legs broken."

I was munching on sunflower seeds, enjoying the gossip, when I caught sight of two familiar figures.