Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up to my phone vibrating nonstop.

There were hundreds of unread messages. Every single one was filled with insults.

Clips from Mom's livestream had gone viral overnight.

She knew exactly how to manipulate public emotion with her persona as the highly educated mother and me, the daughter presented as a cautionary tale. She even included elements of hardcore hacking and our outrageous family drama.

Every label hit exactly the right nerve for online traffic.

The moment I walked through the company's front doors, the receptionist's expression changed.

"That's her, right? The simp from the livestream?"

"Yes, that's her. She normally looks so prim and proper. Who would've thought she'd be that wild in private?"

The whispers followed me wherever I went.

I forced myself to walk to my desk. Before I could even sit down, my supervisor's assistant came over.

"Rebecca, Mr. West wants to see you in his office."

I pushed open the office door. Zachary West sat behind his desk with a grim expression.

On the computer screen in front of him was a replay of Mom's livestream.

"Mr. West, I can explain–"

"Don't bother." Mr. West raised a hand and cut me off. "This was your mother, wasn't it? Rebecca, we're a PR company. Your own reputation has been destroyed. How are you supposed to manage our clients' public image now?"

He tossed a resignation agreement onto the desk.

"This is for your own good. Given the current climate, if you stay, the company is going to get dragged into this mess.

"We'll pay out the rest of your salary for the next two weeks. You should go."

I walked out of the building holding that thin sheet of paper. The midday sun was so bright it made my eyes ache.

My phone rang again. It was my landlord.

"Rebecca, I'm not renting the place to you anymore. The neighbors have been sharing that video in the building's group chat.

"They say they don't want someone like you living in the same neighborhood. Move out as soon as you can. I'm keeping your deposit too. Consider it compensation for breaking the lease."

In less than 24 hours, I'd lost my job, my home, and my dignity.

Meanwhile, the person responsible for all of it, my own mother, was at home enjoying the praise of everyone on the internet.

I dragged my exhausted body home.

The moment I stepped through the door, I heard laughter.

Mom was cooking in the kitchen. The fragrant smell of meatballs filled the house.

Esther sat at the dining table while scrolling through her phone. She was laughing so hard she nearly fell over.

"Rebecca, you're home!"

Esther's eyes lit up when she saw me. "You're famous now! Didn't you know? Mom's account gained 500 thousand followers! She even got offers from advertisers to promote products!"

I stared coldly at her. "I lost my job."

"Huh?" Esther froze for a moment before casually waving her hand. "So what? You weren't making much money at that crappy job anyway. Besides, Mom said you can just work with her on her livestreams from now on. You'll make more money than you did at your old job."

'Work with her on her livestreams?'

'Let them tear open my wounds again and again so they can profit from them?'

"Mom, you ruined my life."

Mom walked out of the kitchen with a plate of meatballs and slammed it onto the table. "Watch how you talk! Where's your respect?"

She untied her apron and pointed straight at my nose. "I'm helping you! Do you think hiding all those things you did would make them disappear?

"I exposed everything for your own good. I was flushing all that poison out of your system!

"Now all those jerks who might've tried to use you know exactly what kind of woman you are. They'll stay away from you!

"Anyone who still dares approach you now has to be serious about you. They'll be the kind of man who sticks around no matter what!"

"Then I guess I should thank you." Tears filled my eyes.

"Oh, you don't have to thank me." Mom sat down and placed a meatball on Esther's plate.

"Esther, don't forget this. This is the lesson your sister paid for with her blood and tears.

"When you start dating, make sure you give your phone to me so I can check it. I'll never misjudge a man."

Esther chewed happily and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll do exactly as you say. Rebecca was just too gullible. I'm different. I have you looking out for me."

"Where's Dad?" I looked around the room.

"He's working late." Mom sounded impatient. "Don't change the subject. Since you're unemployed now, withdraw your retirement savings and give them to Esther. That ten grand she lost is a huge hole we need to fill."

I stared at her in disbelief. "That's my money! Why should I pay for her mistakes?"

"Because you're my daughter! And because you were stupid enough to choose a man who scared your little sister!

"Besides, your reputation is ruined now. You're probably never going to get married anyway. What do you need the money for?

"You might as well give it to your sister. Once she marries into a good family, she can take care of you too."