Chapter 2

I quickly schooled my expression, trying to hide the momentary shock of seeing my account frozen.

But Ivan still managed to catch it. "What's wrong? Now you can finally see what I can do, huh?"

He looked at me with a smug expression. "I told you, Lottie and I are close. You think being her daughter means anything? She wouldn't let it slide even if God himself talked back to me. How about this—"

Ivan deliberately paused for a dramatic effect, then waved his phone as if he was about to be magnanimous. "You apologize to me in public, right now—admit that you disrespected an elder. Then return everything you bought during the Black Friday sales, and send the refunds to my card.

"Consider it a gesture of respect—something like an offering to smooth things over. As long as you do that, I'll have Lottie unfreeze your account. How about it?"

There were many people coming and going through the mailroom during lunchtime. Our conversation drew a crowd fast.

"I didn't know that the life of a businesswoman could be so wild. He really lucked out landing himself a sugar mommy even before he'd even graduated. That'll save him decades of effort!"

"Ivan might be broke, but he's good-looking and charming. Maybe Mindy's mom has been lonely, and he's exactly her type."

"But don't you think the young woman seems like she's unaware?"

"That's normal! Her mom's new fling is her daughter's classmate, who'll likely become her stepfather. It's only normal for her to hide it."

At that, a guy who seemed pretty chummy with Ivan bumped his shoulder and said meaningfully, "Damn, Ivan. Freezing your stepdaughter's account whenever you want, huh? Seems like you've secured your spot in the family. Should we start calling you Mr. Chairman now?"

Seeing their sleazy smirks and nosy stares, I scoffed coldly before pointing at a few of the loudest gossipers. "Spreading rumors and defamation are both crimes. Want me to call Livingston Group's legal department over to give you all a quick legal lesson?"

The chatter fell immediately. Those who were talking the loudest earlier went pale.

At that, Ivan let out a sigh. "I really didn't want to make a scene, Mindy. But—"

His tone shifted, sounding disappointed when he said, "I can't just watch you fall into the trap of capitalist consumerism. We're about to be family, you know. You have to think about—"

I hurled the parcel in my hand straight at Ivan before he could even finish. "Family, my foot! Stop flattering yourself! Even if my mom went blind, she still wouldn't look at you twice!"

"You can't talk like that! That's too much!"

"Even if you don't like your stepfather, you can't stop your mother from pursuing happiness!"

The crowd buzzed back to life the moment I threw the parcel.

Just then, the bell for class rang.

I pulled out my phone. "I wasn't planning to prove anything, but I don't have time to waste on all of you. I'll be holding everyone who chimed in earlier accountable—all of you!"

Ignoring the panicked looks flashing across their faces, I called Mom, who was abroad on a business trip.

There was no answer.

I hung up and called again. Still, no one picked up.

I frowned. The crowd, who had been about to disperse out of fear, stopped in place again.

I called Mom three times in a row, but the only response I managed to get was the cold, mechanical voicemail prompt.

Just then, Ivan leisurely pulled out his phone and smiled. "Looks like Lottie's busy. It's okay, I'll give her a call. She told me my number has priority alerts. She'll always pick up no matter how busy she is."

He started dialling under everyone's curious gaze. The call connected instantly.

Ivan deliberately put it on speaker, and a slightly rushed female voice came through. "Hello, Ivan? What's wrong? I'm in a meeting, so keep it short."