Chapter 5

If Tanner didn’t cough up the money soon, the underground casino kingpin would not let him walk.

The neighborhood women were full of praise.

“Tanner is something else. He’s already starting a business. He must be making some serious money.”

Tanner replied eagerly, “Yes, of course. With an investment of 200k, I can easily turn the money into a million bucks.”

Proud, Jean held her head high.

“Tanner is successful. Why don’t you each chip in 100 grand, and once the payments roll in, he’ll give you a nice cut.”

The ladies were quick to shower compliments, but once money was involved, they were the first to back off.

They made excuses and took off.

Jean clicked her tongue.

She ran her mouth. “What a bunch of snobs. They won’t even throw us a bone to help out.”

Jean went home, arranged to transfer the land, and sold off many belongings before barely scraping together 50 grand.

She started going around to borrow money.

These days, everybody held onto their money tightly. Jean went door to door in the village and only managed to get a 10,000 loan.

Jean wired the 60 grand to Tanner. On the phone, she cautiously said, “Don’t worry about the remaining money. I’ll figure something out.”

With the money in hand, Tanner offered some reassurance to Jean, “Take it easy, Mom. I have a lead to raise the rest of the money right away.”

Jean pressed for answers.

Tanner pretended to be in distress. “Never mind. It’s not exactly legal. I’ll try to think of something else. It’d be a shame if the business venture goes bust because of the lack of funding.”

Panicking, Jean urged Tanner to tell her.

It took some persuasion before Tanner replied, “I heard a wealthy businessman back home is running an insurance-related scheme. They’re offering 150k for a body exchange.

“Isn’t Graham dead? Just dig him up and send him over.”

Jean hesitated.

She rubbed her fingers together, her voice laced with uneasiness.

“Tanner, he might be a disappointment, but he is still your brother. He would never rest easy if we exhumed his body.”

Tanner chuckled bitterly to himself and said, “Forget I said anything, Mom. I was just desperate.

“Even though Graham is long gone, I won’t harm his body just to save my own skin.

“I’m sorry, Mom. It’s all my fault. I’m a failure.”

With Tanner showing vulnerability, Jean’s heart was in pieces.

She gritted her teeth.

“The dead can’t compare to the living. I’ll deliver Graham’s body over right now. I’m sure he’ll understand.

“It’s his duty to help family anyway.”

Jean went back home and used a shovel to dig up my corpse.

However, my flesh had severely rotted.

Jean froze for a second before turning her face away.

She gasped for air.

I let out a quiet laugh when I spotted Jean’s tears.

Didn’t she hate me? Now that I was gone, why on earth would she weep?

Due to the transaction, I was given a proper burial instead of ending up in a shallow grave.

Upon receipt of the money, Jean cleared her loan and transferred the remaining 140 grand to Tanner.

…

The businessman was one for formalities. He invited Jean to a business dinner to mark the successful deal.

Jean signed an NDA, and that was the end of it.

By chance, she ran into the doctor who once saved my life on her way out.

He looked at Jean, somewhat remembering her.

‘I know you. You own two acres of land used for growing sweet potatoes.”

Jean waved her arm and replied, “We were struggling so much back then. We planted sweet potatoes to keep our bellies full.”

The doctor smiled. “I remember your eldest son. He has a severe allergy to sweet potatoes—it was quite serious. If I hadn’t been there, he would have died.”