Chapter 3

"You can forget about getting any of my money. I found this card, so it has nothing to do with you."

I let out an exasperated laugh at how shamelessly entitled Lara sounded.

"Lara, aren't you afraid of karma?"

"Karma?" She laughed like I'd just told the joke of the century, cackling along with Adrian.

"Karma is me with a billion dollars, and you still being a bottom-feeder stuck riding the subway and eating instant noodles! Oh, and I forgot to tell you that my mom is going to call your parents later and tell them to keep you in line.

"So, stop bothering me. Anyway, I'm busy shopping. I don't have time to waste on a loser like you."

The line went dead, and my heart turned to ice.

True to her word, five minutes later, Lara's live stream featured a video call with her mother, Lucinda Garza.

Lucinda's face, always impeccably made up, was now plastered with a smile that was both fawning and cruel.

"My darling daughter, I always knew you were destined for greatness. Don't you worry. I've already called the loser's parents and made everything crystal clear."

A flood of viewers immediately poured into Lara's stream.

"Here we go. The mother-in-law's about to tear into the poor husband too."

"The whole family's a circus."

Lara was clearly thrilled with the response. She motioned for her mother to keep going.

Lucinda cleared her throat and launched into a haughty retelling of her phone conversation.

"I told Myra that since Russell couldn't make anything of himself, he shouldn't drag you down with him. You're a billionaire now, destined to marry into real high society.

"And country bumpkins like them need to stop dreaming about climbing the social ladder. They need to tell Russell to get lost and stay out of your way."

With every word she spoke, Lara's live stream lit up with comments like "Well said!" and "Exactly!".

Meanwhile, I sat in the VIP room, watching Lucinda's smug expression on the screen, my blood ran cold.

My parents were simple, honest farmers.

To put me through college, they sold the only thing of value they owned—our plow ox.

To help me buy an apartment when I got married, they emptied their life savings and even borrowed money from relatives.

They had never once raised their voices at anyone, yet now they were being humiliated by my mother-in-law with such cruel, vicious words.

I picked up the other phone Janine had prepared and called home.

The moment the call connected, I heard my mother, Myra Watson, trying to stifle her sobs.

"Russell, how could Lucinda say those things about us?"

My father, Frankie Brewer, grabbed the phone and said in a trembling voice, "Russell, be honest with us—did you do something to hurt Lara? The money doesn't matter, but your character does!"

I couldn't hold back any longer. A wave of anger surged through me, rushing to my head.

"Dad, Mom, don't believe a word she says," I replied icily. "Don't do anything or get upset. Just turn on the TV and tune into Skysea Bank's official live stream. Watch the show, and when it's over, I'll bring you both to the city to enjoy a better life."

After hanging up, I turned to Janine.

"Ms. Harmon, can I take part in this test too?"

Janine adjusted her glasses, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Of course, Mr. Brewer. Every good show needs a perfect ending."

At the same time, Lara's live stream had reached a new peak.

Looking to juice up the donations, Adrian pitched an idea.

"Lara, how about a little something for the top spender?"

Lara waved her hand magnanimously, practically bursting with fake generosity.

"Who's my top spender? Step forward! I'm in a good mood today. Whoever takes the top spot, I'll give you one million dollars in cash back."