LOGINMy heart jumped.I had not expected Mom to sink this low, tricking me into coming back home to marry me off to some old widower from her hometown.Once I understood what was happening, I gritted my teeth and drove my elbow hard into Dale's stomach. While he was doubled over in pain, I kicked him between the legs.During my time in Pelford, my health had improved considerably. And because I was alone in a foreign country, I had enrolled in self-defense classes for my personal safety.Dealing with one unarmed, untrained man was more than manageable.Dale stumbled backward, staring at me in terror."Your daughter's insane. You really think she'll settle down and have my kids? Forget it. Find someone else!"He scrambled out the door.After Mom finished screaming at Dale's retreating back, she raised her hand to hit me. But remembering what I had just done, she pulled it back.I laughed coldly."Don't worry. He's not getting away."I was worried you'd pull something like this, so
Mom could not argue against tens of thousands of commenters with just her own mouth. She had no choice but to end the stream in a hurry.Public opinion quickly reversed. Everyone online was roasting her bizarre method of giving scratch cards as living expenses. The backlash finally made Mom settle down a bit.She borrowed someone's phone and contacted me."Sweetie, you have to understand. It wasn't easy raising you by myself. I was worried you'd abandon me just like your father did."My methods might have been a little inappropriate, but I didn't let you starve to death all these years, did I?"Having all those strangers attack me online isn't right either, is it?"I let out a soft laugh. "Mom, of course I won't abandon you."Keeping only ten thousand like you suggested isn't possible. My study abroad program is going to be expensive. But I'll send you living expenses every month on time as long as you promise not to interfere with my studies anymore."Hearing that I had given
"Elena Marshall, you've really gotten bold. Trying to sneak out of the country behind my back!"Mom stood at the security checkpoint with her hands on her hips, blocking the way. She was preventing quite a few passengers from boarding."Do you know how hard my life has been? I raised you all by myself. Now that you've struck it rich, you want to dump me and refuse to support me!"How can there be such an ungrateful brat in this world?"As she spoke, she actually managed to squeeze real tears from her eyes. Some passengers with time to spare started whispering among themselves."From what this woman is saying, her daughter got rich and now wants to abandon her single mom?""That really is ungrateful. Karma will catch up with her sooner or later.""Don't jump to conclusions. That girl looks like skin and bones. She doesn't look rich at all. But this mom looks pretty well-fed..."The scene grew more and more chaotic. It quickly drew the attention of security."Ma'am, if you're no
There was no question that I won the lawsuit.The judge dismissed all of her demands. He did not even make me repay her for the book of scratch cards she bought me.After all, she was the one who said it was my living allowance.I thought that after losing the lawsuit, Mom would give up on my prize money. But what she did next shattered my expectations over and over again.Just as I was preparing materials to reapply for my visa, Mr. Palmer called me in a rush."Elena, your mother is causing a scene at the registrar's office. You need to get back here right away!"My heart sank.I had no choice but to set aside what I was doing and hurry back to school.Before I even got close to the registrar's office, I could hear Mom's shrill voice shouting from inside."And you call yourselves one of the top universities in the country? You dare admit a student like this?"Didn't I already tell you? Elena Marshall got in because of luck. It has nothing to do with hard work. She just happe
I stared at the legal summons.Since she refused to let this go, I would accept this lawsuit and put an end to our mother-daughter relationship once and for all.The court date was set for a week later.During that time, Mom used countless different numbers to send me harassing messages."You're just a student. What do you need all that money for?"You're my only child. If I keep it for you, isn't that the same as helping you save it? Be good and give the money to me. I'll drop the lawsuit."You're still in school. A lawsuit on your record won't do you any favors."I did not reply to a single message. After glancing at each one, I deleted it and blocked the number.Looking at the staggering amount in my bank account, I hired one of the best lawyers in the city to represent me.On the day of the hearing, when Mom saw I had hired a defense attorney, she froze for a moment.Then she pointed her finger at me and shouted. "Elena Marshall, you really are an ungrateful brat! Spendin
For a moment, all kinds of emotions tangled in my chest. But the strongest one was joy.The grand prize had to be claimed at the lottery center. I did not waste any time. I got up and bolted out the door.Fortunately, the school was not far away. Even though I had no money for transportation, I walked for half an hour and arrived.The moment I received the money, I still felt like I was dreaming. I stared at the string of numbers on my bank card over and over again, tears streaming down my face.I went to the most expensive restaurant in the city and finally ate my fill. People coming and going could not help but stare at me devouring my food like I had not eaten in weeks.Mom was right. My luck really was incredible.After wandering around all day, I had just returned to the dorm when Mom called."Sweetie, did you win the lottery?"The affectionate nickname made my skin crawl. I had forgotten how long it had been since she last called me that.Even when she found out I got in







