Chapter 2

As soon as I stepped through the door, I saw the living room packed with relatives.

Victor stood in the middle of it all, talking animatedly, practically spraying spit as he bragged.

“Aunt Linda, you have no idea how hard it is to get into the Rivers Group! People line up just hoping for a chance!

“But the moment I walked in, the interviewer spotted my talent. He said people like me are one in a million!

Linda beamed so widely the wrinkles on her face deepened.

“Oh, I’ve always said Victor was a clever child!”

My mother sat nearby, dressed in a brand-new silk dress, smiling so hard she could barely close her mouth.

“Of course he is. Look who he takes after. Our Victor is destined for big things.

“His starting salary might only be about five hundred a month right now, but Mr. Rivers thinks highly of him. He plans to keep Victor close and groom him for management.”

I stood in the entryway, feeling nothing but bitter irony.

Victor’s so-called great job…

That position existed because my boyfriend, Ethan Rivers, had quietly spoken to HR to arrange a spot for him, just to save me the embarrassment of my brother being unemployed.

The role itself was little more than an extra logistics assistant. Anyone with working arms and legs could do it.

Yet in Victor’s telling, it had somehow become proof of his exceptional talent and the boss’ special favor.

Keeping my face cold, I changed my shoes and walked inside.

The lively room fell silent for a few seconds the moment I appeared.

My mother glanced at me, the smile on her face fading slightly. She pointed toward a small stool in the corner.

“You’re here? Sit over there. Perfect timing. We’re about to eat.”

It was an extra seat, far from the main table, the kind of place one’d leave for a servant.

I walked straight up to her and held out my hand.

“Mom, I’m not here for dinner. I’m here to take my money.

“For the past few years, I’ve sent you three thousand every month. That’s about a hundred thousand in total.

“You said you were saving it for my wedding. I need it now. Transfer it back to me.”

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Victor frowned and walked over, his face full of irritation.

“Sis, what are you doing? We’re family. What do you mean your money? Once it comes into this house, it belongs to the family.”

I looked at him coldly.

“Victor, you used my hard-earned money to buy a luxury house, and you still expect me to smile at you?

“There’s half of my money in that house. Either you pay me back, or you add my name to the deed.”

My mother slammed her fork onto the table and stood up.

“Suzy! Have you lost your mind?

“In front of all these relatives, do you have no shame at all? Do you think renovating that house costs nothing? Do you think furniture is free?”

I was trembling with anger.

“That’s my money! Why should it pay for his renovations?”

My mother replied without the slightest hesitation. “Because he’s your brother. Because he carries on the family name.

“You’re the older sister. Helping your brother is only natural.

“And besides, even if that money were given back to you, you wouldn’t be able to keep it. Who knows when some useless man might trick you out of it?”

Linda munched on a potato chip and spoke in a mocking tone.

“Suzy, that’s where you’re wrong. A woman eventually marries into another family. If your brother does well, you’ll have more standing with your in-laws.”

Another aunt chimed in.

“That’s right. I heard you’ve been dating someone for years and still haven’t brought him home. He must be some poor nobody you’re too embarrassed to introduce.

“If that money ends up in an outsider’s hands, that would really be a waste.”

Victor straightened his tie smugly and looked at me with open contempt.

“Sis, I’m just saying… that boyfriend of yours probably doesn’t even have a proper job, right?

“He’s nothing like me. I work for the Rivers Group. That name alone carries weight.

“As for your money, just think of it as an investment in me. Once I make it big, it’s not like I’d let you go hungry.”

To protect these so-called family members, I had always hidden Ethan’s true identity. I only told them he was a regular entrepreneur starting his own business.

And because of that, in their eyes I had become easy prey, while Ethan had turned into some worthless nobody.

“Victor, do you really think you got into the Rivers Group because of your own ability?”

I stared straight into his eyes, speaking slowly, word by word.

Victor froze for a moment, then his face twisted with embarrassment and anger.

“Suzy, stop being jealous! Is it really that hard for you to admit someone else is better than you?

“Someone like you who only knows how to live off a fixed salary—what do you know about working for a major company?”

My mother rushed over and shoved me.

“Get out! If you’re not here to eat, then get out! Stop embarrassing us!”

That shove completely shattered the last bit of attachment I still had to this family.