Chapter 4

I remembered the last thing my mom had said to me that day.

"I've remarried. My husband's a fund manager on Wall Street. Our daughter is smart and sweet, the apple of our whole family's eye."

I checked the summit's attendee list, and sure enough, I saw my mom's name and Sofia's. They were attending with Graham O'Neill.

I looked him up. He was around forty, held the same position as I did, and wasn't even as accomplished as me.

For the past five years, I'd slept no more than five hours a night.

I'd memorized every bit of professional knowledge so thoroughly that no matter which page my boss opened, I could recite its contents word for word.

I knew every client's likes and dislikes. They all spoke highly of me, and some had even promised that wherever I went, their money would follow.

I supposed that was why, at just twenty-three, I was able to stand among these people.

On the third day of the summit, a business gala was held at Larkspur University. I learned Sophia is also studying at this university.

Wearing a sharply tailored black evening gown and eight-centimeter heels, I followed the financial industry's biggest names into the venue with measured, graceful steps.

I'd bought the gown with my first annual bonus. A team of six had come to my home to take my measurements and custom-make it for me. My surname, West, was embroidered on it in gold thread.

In the middle of the ballroom, I spotted my mom. She looked a little older than she had five years ago, but she was still wearing an expensive evening gown and a polished, practiced smile.

Sofia stood beside her, laughing and chatting with several classmates.

Holding a glass of champagne, I walked through the crowd, passing them step by step.

Suddenly, my mom glanced at me curiously. The moment she recognized me, her expression changed.

"What are you doing here?" She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me toward the exit. "I don't know how you found this place, but leave! Don't interfere with my life."

I said nothing. I simply smiled.

My job had taught me to treat everyone with courtesy. Whether it was a barking dog or a nagging woman at a crowded market, all I had to do was smile.

"Sue! Say something!"

Her actions drew the attention of the people around us. Someone quietly asked what was going on.

Sofia immediately moved to shield my mom, like a little chick protecting its mother.

My mom glanced at me and suddenly announced, "This girl is a thief. She stole my necklace, and I'm trying to talk some sense into her and get her to do the right thing."

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. I could feel the disgusted stares lingering on me.

Someone called security, wanting them to take me to the police station.

"Wait!"

As the security guards approached, my mom seemed not to have expected things to go this far. "She looks young. As long as she gives the necklace back, we can let this go."

The moment she finished speaking, Sofia stepped forward, raised her arm, and slapped me hard across the face. "Thief! Hand my mom's things back!"

I covered my cheek, stunned that the child my mom had raised could be so brazen and domineering.

For some reason, the resentment I'd been suppressing for so long seemed to dissipate inside me. So this was all there was to it. Nothing more.

I let out a cold laugh and heard my name being announced from the stage. I straightened my dress and turned to go onstage.

Just then, Sofia grabbed my skirt. "You still haven't given my mom's things back! You're not going anywhere!"

The onlookers closed in around me, pointing and whispering.

The crowd's multiple languages overlapped, the noise making my head ache.

A faintly mocking smile curved my lips. I was just about to speak when a staff member came running through the crowd. "Sue, it's your turn to go onstage."

Ignoring my mom, who stood frozen at the side, I followed the staff member onto the stage.

With the microphone in my hand, I looked at the woman in the crowd and began to speak, "Today, I'd like to tell everyone a story—a story about how my own mother abandoned me, and how I came to stand here today."

My mom's face turned deathly white.