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Chapter 2

Penulis: Perfect Timing
The room fell completely silent. Mom’s gaze flickered before she frowned sharply. “You’re so rude! You didn’t even knock. Is this how I taught you? Did you just leave all the guests outside like that? Hurry up and get out.”

I smiled wordlessly, walked over, found an empty seat, and picked up a glass of water from the table. I chugged it all in one go.

I had been up since five in the morning. After hours of nonstop working and hosting guests, I had not had a single sip of water. My throat had long since gone dry.

“It’s not my birthday today. You’re the star of the day, yet you’re not greeting your guests out there. Why should I go instead?” I smiled and asked after setting the glass down.

“Besides, didn’t you say that all I ever do is embarrass you? In that case, I really shouldn’t show my face, so I don’t ruin your mood.”

The moment those words left my mouth, everyone realized that I had overheard their conversation. Their expressions turned uneasy.

Mom, on the other hand, seemed to realize there was no point hiding it anymore. “Why are you so petty? I’m your mother. I was just saying a few words for your own good.”

I laughed coldly. “For my own good? I’ve never seen a mother spread such filthy rumors about her own daughter. Every single day, I work from dawn to dusk. Somehow, in your eyes, that equates to shameful activities.”

I met her gaze without the slightest fear. I was trying to pick her thoughts.

Sensing the tension, Jessie stood up and tried to smooth things over. “Mary, Mom was just joking. It’s her birthday today. Let’s not ruin the mood.”

She reached out for me, but I avoided her hand.

I had not even gotten to her yet. Since she insisted on intervening, I did not hold back.

“Why are you pretending to be a good person? Who’s that tattooed guy on your Instagram? Did you think I wouldn’t recognize him?”

“What tattooed guy? What are you talking about?!” Jessie immediately shrieked in denial.

Mom rushed over and shoved me. “What nonsense are you spouting? Stop accusing Jessie.”

“She knows perfectly well what I’m talking about. Jessie, do you dare to show us your Instagram right now?”

Jessie hesitated. She did not even dare to take her phone out.

Mom, oblivious to that hesitation, answered for her, “Of course she would. I can see Jessie’s Instagram, too. What’s there to be afraid of?”

I burst out laughing. “Are you really that foolish? You only see what she wants you to see. So much is being hidden from you. Your precious daughter is a heavy smoker and drinker.”

Jessie was a full decade younger than me. Rather than a sister, she was more like half a daughter to me.

When she started university, I had already been working for several years.
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  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 9

    I quickly settled into the new environment after moving to the new city. I no longer sent Mom money, and she did not reach out to me either. I did not feel sad. On the contrary, I felt light and relieved. It was like I had finally put down some heavy baggage. Jessie’s so-called coffee shop never opened. Mom did not seem to care. She would believe whatever Jessie said.One day, I was doomscrolling TikTok when I suddenly came across a familiar account. They wore full-faced helmets, but I recognized them instantly from their figures. It was Jessie and Ken. The account was filled with videos of the two of them riding the bike at high speed along winding roads. The footage was terrifying to watch. Yet those videos brought them a great deal of attention. The more dangerous the ride looked, the more likes they received. I watched only a few before closing the app and blocking the account. I did not dare to watch any more of them.If Jessie insisted on gambling with her life, tha

  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 8

    Jessie needed to be warded for a few days. Mom had to go home to cook and could not remain there constantly, so I filled in when she was gone. It was not busy at work that day, so I left early and went to the hospital. Before I reached the ward, I heard a man’s voice from inside. “Baby, when is your sister going to transfer the money? My friends are already waiting to see my new bike.” I peeked through the door crack. A man with tattoos was sitting beside Jessie’s bed. He was Ken Miller, Jessie’s boyfriend.“It should be in the next few days. I’ll pester her again later.” Ken broke into a grin and kissed her cheek. “I knew you could do it. I’ll take you for a ride once you’re discharged. I’ll even get you a pink helmet.” Everything became clear to me at that moment. There was no startup. She was scamming me to buy him a motorcycle.I knew Ken. He and Jessie had been together for a long time. I had strongly opposed it when I first found out. I even joined forces with Mom

  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 7

    “I don’t have much cash flow either. What exactly is your startup plan? Tell me,” I asked. “We’re going to open a boutique coffee shop. We would also sell desserts, hire a few influencers to promote it, and it would definitely take off. “Don’t worry, Mary. Just treat it as a loan. Once I start making money, I’ll pay you back.” I had years of working experience. I could tell at a glance that her plan was doomed. “I don’t think this will work. The coffee market is still oversaturated. Boutique coffee has no competitive edge anymore. I support you starting a business, but you need a different plan.”“You never tried. How do you know it won’t work? Just give me thirty thousand dollars as startup capital. Whether I lose or make money, I’ll pay you back. Alright?” Mom slammed the table. “It’s only thirty thousand. Why are you so stingy? You’re her sister. Who will help her if you don’t?” The familiar emotional blackmail made my head ache. I lost my appetite and set my cutlery do

  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 6

    “Jessie, don’t get down on your knees for her. Get up. This is all my fault. I raised such a wonderful daughter.” Mom tried to pull Jessie up. She glared at me and continued, “Have you forgotten how you broke your leg at school? Your worthless father wouldn’t even pay a single cent. It was me who took you to the hospital. I even sold my gold necklace to pay for your surgery. Have you forgotten all of that?” The memory stirred something inside me. My father was scum. He drank, he gambled, he cheated. He even beat Mom and me. A few months after Mom became pregnant with Jessie, he suddenly died.I had not grieved for him back then. I was relieved. At least Jessie would not grow up being beaten like us. Before Jessie was born, Mom had treated me well. She cooked my favorite dishes, secretly gave me pocket money for snacks, and stayed awake all night by my hospital bed. I sighed when I thought of that. “Forget it. I’ll cover the remaining costs of the birthday party. You don’t

  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 5

    “This is my daughter’s home. What law am I breaking by entering my own daughter’s place? On what grounds are you arresting me?” I heard Mom’s voice before I even stepped into the police station. “If that’s the case, why did you pry open your daughter’s door lock to get inside?” asked the police officer. That shut Mom up instantly. I walked in just then. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Mary! Tell the police it was all a misunderstanding!” I went over and saw Mom sitting beside Jessie. Both of them looked disheveled, their hair a mess, faces dusty and miserable.An officer stepped forward and asked me, “Are they your family? Were you aware that they forced open your door lock?” “Of course, she knew. It’s just a door lock. What’s there to make a fuss about? Mary, hurry up and tell them to let us go.” Mom snapped before I could answer. She wanted me to speak up for her, but even begging had its own etiquette. I shook my head and said calmly to the officer, “They are my m

  • I Disowned My Ungrateful Mother   Chapter 4

    Laughter quickly returned to the private dining hall after I left. When it was time to begin the meal, Mom stepped out to receive wishes from the guests. Just as the atmosphere of the party reached its peak, Liam entered the hall with several staff members. “Mrs. Radley, happy birthday on behalf of the hotel. This bottle of champagne is a gift from our hotel.” Mom’s aged face bloomed with a smile. “Thank you. This looks wonderful!”Before she could enjoy it, the bill was placed in front of her. “The total for this party comes to eighty thousand dollars. Would you like to pay by card or cash?” The dining hall was noisy, yet his words cut cleanly through the chatter, landing in everyone’s ears. Mom’s smile froze. “How much did you say?”“Eighty thousand dollars. Since this was a familiar booking, no deposit was collected beforehand. The full amount is due now.” Mom did not even have eight thousand dollars, let alone eighty thousand. It was impossible. She rummaged through

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