4

I met his eyes and slowly shook my head.

Marcus had worked with my father for decades. He understood me instantly.

I wanted him to play along.

I wanted David to dig his own grave.

Marcus steadied his trembling legs and forced a smile.

He pointed his cane at the wreckage.

"David, you've... certainly made a big splash."

David didn't hear the tremor in Marcus's voice at all. He took it as a compliment.

He hurried closer, eager to take credit.

"Sir, the maid next door was growing some junk weeds that were really dragging down the value of the estate, so I had the whole thing flattened."

Marcus closed his eyes in despair, his chest heaving, and nodded.

"All of it? The local police and property management didn't ask any questions?"

David lowered his voice to brag. "Don't worry. The cops took $50,000 from me to keep quiet. They didn't even get out of the car.

"As for property management, Carl, get over here!"

Carl scrambled over with an eager grin.

"Good to meet you, sir. The minute Mr. Miller gave the word, I personally cut off that bitch's water and power and welded her gate shut! Not even a fly got out!"

"Well done." Marcus's face kept twitching. "You've... really done well."

Sophie couldn't resist showing off either. She pointed at the dead plants by the wall.

"I bought a huge jug of heavy-duty weed killer and killed every last one. With trash like her, you have to pull it out by the roots so she learns her lesson!"

The guests all laughed, eager to please.

Guests who wanted to get in good with David raised their glasses.

"Mr. Miller doesn't mess around. Brilliant!"

"Mrs. Miller, that was so clean and quick. Beautiful!"

"That's exactly how you deal with ungrateful lowlifes like her!"

Marcus's gaze moved from one smug face to another.

A bunch of idiots in a hurry to die.

"And..." Marcus fought to keep his voice from shaking and slowly pointed his cane at me. "What's the story with her?"

David stepped forward right away and spread his arms like a conquering hero.

"This is that clueless maid. Today, I'm going to have her kneel in that cheap outfit and pour your wine, sir!"

Sophie chimed in viciously. "Yes! We're livestreaming the whole thing. I want everyone to see with their own eyes what happens to people who cross us."

Like a clown hamming it up, Sophie grabbed the novelty check I'd snapped in half the day before.

She threw it at my feet, picked up a tray, and called out to all the guests.

"Everyone! With the chairman here, let's see this charity through and make her bow to each of you in thanks!"

To get on David's good side, the guests pulled out coins and threw them at me.

Coin after coin hit my head and my body.

"Pick them up, you charity case!"

"Hurry up and thank Mr. Miller and the chairman. You've never seen this much money in your life, have you?"

Marcus stared at the coins hitting me, his eyes wide with horror.

The hand gripping his cane was shaking wildly.

These people had no idea what they were doing.

They were tossing charity at a woman worth trillions.

Marcus was so terrified he could barely breathe. He was about to lose it.

David thought Marcus's face was red because he was so excited.

He even fished a coin out of his pocket and respectfully held it out to Marcus.

"After you, sir. Even if she has to crawl on her knees, she's picking this money up today."

Looking at the coin David was offering him, Marcus gasped for air.

"David, you really are... one in a million."