Chapter 4

Over the next two days, the house was unusually quiet. Karen did not bring Toby over to cause any trouble again.

I was not sitting idle either. I contacted a lawyer and asked about the rules for seeking compensation for damaged property.

I had a collector friend issue detailed appraisal reports and price certificates for the damaged collectible figures and the model kits in my home.

I also found a renovation company and had them estimate the cost of repairing the wall that had been scribbled on by Toby earlier.

I then organized all the bills into one document.

That was the "big present" I had prepared for Toby.

Then, New Year's Day arrived.

Just after dawn, the house had already become lively.

According to our hometown custom, relatives and neighbors came by on the morning of the first day to exchange greetings.

Karen had deliberately gotten up early and brought Toby with her. The two of them sat in the living room like guards at the gate.

Every time a guest arrived, Karen would loudly show off.

"Oh, Martin is here? Sit down, sit down. Let me tell you, Spencer has really made something of himself! He's a business owner now! He's giving our Toby a big present worth thousands of dollars!"

"Really? Thousands?"

The guests were shocked, and they all looked over in envy.

"Of course it's true. Spencer promised it himself!"

Toby also looked smug. "I want to buy superhero figures, a game console, and a big plane!"

I sat at the side and quietly drank my morning coffee. My parents sensed something was wrong, but they could not say anything with so many people watching.

Soon, the living room was full.

Relatives from every side of the family and neighbors from next door were all waiting to see the big present that was worth thousands of dollars.

Once almost everyone had arrived, Karen finally could not hold back anymore. She gave me a look and said loudly, "Spencer, today is New Year's Day. Everyone's waiting to see the big present."

Everyone's attention instantly turned to me.

"Sure." I took out a large envelope from my bag.

Everyone's eyes widened. They had not expected something like that. I then said, "Before I give him the big present, I have a few things to say."

Karen stared at my hand, growing impatient. "Oh, if you are giving money, just give it. Why so much nonsense?"

"No rush." I looked around at the relatives in the room. "Everyone knows I'm a businessman. Since I'm giving Toby such a big present, I can't be stingy, of course."

"That's right, that's right!" Karen said as she nodded repeatedly.

I handed the extra-thick envelope to Toby. "Toby, this is the big present I promised to give you. I hope you understand that in the future, you have to pay a price when you do something wrong."

Toby did not register my words. He simply snatched the envelope and tore it open immediately.

The thick stack of cash everyone expected did not appear. What fell out was a thick stack of white paper printed in black ink.

Everyone froze.

"What... What is this?" Karen pulled out a sheet of paper, her face blank.

I smiled faintly. "It's the bill."