Chapter 3

The video went on for more than ten minutes, capturing every single moment of me being beaten and harassed.

Mom's text continued, "Don't think I'm being cruel now. I just hired some guys to scare her a bit. They didn't hit her that hard. Only when parents are willing to be ruthless can their children truly grow. Honestly, I think you should try this with your son, too."

I clutched my phone and laughed out loud. I tasted blood.

No wonder trouble had followed me like a shadow over the last three years of hustle. Entitled customers always chose my shifts to throw tantrums, and the dishes I handled were constantly getting sent back with complaints.

Every time I managed to save a little cash, I'd end up paying it out in damages. I had genuinely thought I was just cursed with bad luck.

It turned out that it was all just Mom's "tests".

When I remained silent, Connor walked over and nudged me with his foot. "What are you laughing at? Don't think playing dumb gets you out of paying.

"And don't bother looking for security footage either. The cameras broke ages ago. We can't find the guys, so this is on you. Otherwise, you can kiss the rest of your paycheck goodbye!"

Back when I was drowning in debt, my biggest fear was getting fired or having my wages withheld. But that leverage didn't work on me anymore.

Gasping for air, I forced myself up and stared dead into Connor's eyes. "What if I say I can find them?"

My expression rattled him, and his eyes darted away nervously. "Cut the crap. If you actually had that kind of pull, you wouldn't have been slaving away here for three years."

I shot him a sideways glance. "The walls have ears. Some people think they've covered their tracks perfectly, never realizing they tipped their hand long ago."

He froze.

I walked past him, scooped up the kitten, and headed straight for the police station.

Mom probably never dreamed that the chat logs she used to brag to others would become my primary evidence.

The video was clear enough, and the police assured me that they could track the guys down using facial recognition.

Before leaving, I made sure to leave specific instructions. "When you arrest them, please don't let them see the video, and don't mention where the evidence came from. A young lady filmed it, and she's terrified of retaliation."

With that handled, I opened my alternate account and replied to Mom, "Thank you for the inspiration. You really are a wise woman. If I had met you sooner, I wouldn't have made so many missteps with my own family."

When she went live that night, I dropped the most expensive virtual gift every ten minutes.

The chat immediately erupted with speculation about our relationship.

"Something's going on here. This is a straight-up public confession!"

"I can't believe you actually snagged a big shot at your age! Look at you, about to marry into money!"

Mom twisted her body coyly in front of the camera. "Oh, stop it, you guys. The gentleman just appreciates my insights."

The moment she logged off, she messaged me. "Don't do that next time. I know you're rich, but the platform takes a massive cut. I hate seeing you waste your money on them. It hurts my heart."

A faint smirk touched my lips. "I wanted to send you something more practical, but I was worried that asking for your address right away would make me look like I had bad intentions."

She replied almost instantly. "I've met all kinds of people. Judging by your manners and mindset, you're definitely one of the good ones. My address is Unit 301, Building 5, Suncrest Mansions.

"Don't spend so much next time. Just sending me a cup of coffee or something is enough to show that you care."

I finally had her address, but I wasn't about to just storm over there.

Since she had meticulously engineered a scam back then just to call me stupid, I wanted to see if she could escape a romance scam tailored specifically for her.

I found a local florist. "I need you to deliver a bouquet of roses to this address. Include a card with some cheesy, AI-generated romantic lines. Deliver them at 10:00 am every morning, for five days straight."

The florist teased, "Trying to win her over in just five days? Aren't we moving a bit fast?"

I smiled. "Five days is exactly how long it takes to form a habit. When I abruptly vanish on the sixth, she'll be the one moving fast."