Chapter 3

I watched the security camera feed casually and asked, "What do you need so much money for?"

Kayla hesitated before saying, "It's just something urgent. It's hard to explain over the phone. Lend me the money first, and I'll tell you about it later."

"What is it? Give me a quick rundown," I said lazily.

She fell silent for a few seconds, as if she hadn't expected me to press her for details.

In the past, whenever Kayla asked me for something, I never asked why. If she asked for 200,000 dollars, I'd send her 250,000 dollars. If she wanted a new car, I'd hand her the keys the very next day.

And so, she got used to it. So did the rest of my family. They'd gotten so used to it that they thought I was born to support them financially.

"It's for… Harper's party. I'm short on money." Kayla finally told me the truth.

I raised my voice. "Why didn't I know about this?"

Kayla immediately came up with an excuse. "I figured you were busy with work. How could I bother you with something this trivial?"

I nearly laughed out loud.

Just moments ago, she'd been calling me a slut. Now that she needed money, she was suddenly so considerate.

I took a sip of my wine, keeping my voice calm. "I'm not free to wire you any money right now."

"Then, what am I supposed to do? Everyone's waiting here!" Kayla panicked, her voice rising. "Stacy, you have to help me. I'm really desperate this time."

"Use your credit card first."

"My credit card limit won't cover it…"

"Then, use Mom's and Dad's cards. It's not like I won't wire the money to you later."

She sounded doubtful. "You'll pay us back, right?"

I snorted at how ridiculous it was that I had to pay for my own niece's celebration.

Still, I agreed, "Don't worry. As soon as I have some free time, I'll pay you all back."

Reassured, Kayla repeatedly thanked me before hanging up.

But this was just the beginning.

I didn't put my phone down. Instead, I contacted a few people. Then, I called Dan.

"I'll offer 1.5 million dollars. Keep raising the price."

Dan paused briefly before catching on. "But Ms. Upton, what if they really leave?"

"They won't." I smiled. "I have a way to make them stay."

Dan didn't ask any more questions and started making the arrangements.

I put my phone down and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Below me, traffic flowed through the brightly lit city.

Every day, countless people got rich overnight, while just as many lost everything in a flash.

And my family was about to become the latter.

…

Down in the banquet hall, Kayla had just finished paying by card and ushering her guests to their seats when Dan walked over once again, the polite smile still on his face.

"Ms. Upton, my apologies. The other client just offered us 1.5 million dollars. If you want to stay, you'll have to pay another million dollars."

Kayla lost her composure and shouted, "Another million dollars? This is daylight robbery! I want a refund now! I'm not holding the party here anymore!"

She turned and headed for the front desk, but then a well-dressed man in a suit suddenly appeared in the doorway.

When the man saw Samuel, he paused, then broke into a smile. "Hey, Samuel, it really is you!"