Chapter 5

Mom even fired back on the livestream. "That bracelet was meant for me, her daughter, anyway. Why should he wear it? I'm only doing it to train Adam, to build his resilience under pressure."

I watched her on the livestream, belittling me and twisting her lies into some self-righteous excuse. I felt my heart shatter.

Since I realized that every word and move I made in the apartment was being broadcast, I started staying away from home. I went to school during the day and clocked in for my part-time job after class.

I would rather sit under the dim streetlights outside the building and read than return to that apartment full of surveillance cameras. I pulled out my phone and tuned into the livestream.

The streamer had posted a notice. "On the exam day, we'll livestream bringing our poor Adam back to the villa. Everyone, get ready to flood the screen with gifts!"

Many left their comments.

"I can't wait to see Adam's face when he realizes his family is actually rich."

"He has to be thrilled. I mean, he'll be rich, too."

"Not necessarily. He might even be sad for a long time. I mean, why should he endure six years of hardship for nothing?"

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. I wasn't going to let their plan succeed.

On the day of the exam, I would already be on a plane to Genevia. By then, they would become the players in their very own game.

…

I didn't need to study for the exam, so I had been busy preparing my documents to go abroad. I called Mom, hoping she would come home and spend a few days with me before the exam.

That day, I deliberately asked, "Mom, can I see Archer after the exam?"

She immediately agreed, patting my shoulder. "Of course. Once it's over, I'll take you to see your dad and your brother."

I forced a smile, pretending to be happy and excited. Then, I carried a bowl of soup I had made from the kitchen. "You need extra nourishment, Mom. Here, I made this for you."

Mom was visibly touched. She drank the soup while I pulled out a stack of documents and set them in front of her.

"Now that you're sick, having debt collectors constantly coming after you won't do you any good. What if it affects your recovery? As your son, I don't want you to suffer. So, I'm going to take all your debts upon myself while I earn the money and pay them off.

"But first, we need to terminate our mother-son relationship. Sign here, and all the debt will be legally transferred to me."

Mom didn't read the papers carefully. The moment she heard what I said, she signed her name without hesitation. "You're so good to me, son. Once I make enough money in the future, I'll surely make it up to you."

I smiled and nodded, telling her to focus on her recovery. What she didn't know was that she had not only signed a form terminating our relationship, but also a high-interest loan I had taken out in her name.

Early on the morning of the exam, I left the rental with my backpack like usual. From the livestream feed, everything seemed normal.

But I wasn't going to the school to take the exam. I was heading to the airport. There was nothing in that place worth taking with me anyway.

I snapped my SIM card in half and tossed it into a trash can, then switched to a new one. My brand-new life was about to begin.

The money I had earned from my part-time job, the scholarships from school, and the ten-million-dollar loan I had taken out under Mom's name were enough for me to live in Genevia for a while.

Once I landed, I would immediately find a decent apartment and settle in.

Just two days ago, Mom asked me which exam center I would be at. I casually gave her the name of a school. I knew exactly what my parents had planned. They were going to wait outside the school gate for me after my last exam.

My parents and all their loyal livestream viewers had been looking forward to this day. They wanted to see the look on my face—the surprise, shock, and eventually the tears of relief.

Unfortunately, they were in for a disappointment because they would never get to see it.