All Chapters of My Dad Was Paying a Fortune: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1 Where Did the Money Go?

I couldn't help but wonder if I'd misheard him.Before I could ask, my father glanced toward the banquet hall. His expression suddenly hardened. "So, this is your latest trick?"I froze."Your mom told me a few days ago that you've been asking around about Kiera."His eyes flicked over my hostess uniform."We're holding a celebration for her tonight, and you show up dressed like this and stand at the door. Are you trying to show me just how miserable your life is?"My mind went blank. "I didn't know this was her party. I just came here for a part-time job."My father let out a scoff. "A part-time job? Your mom always says you're a scheming girl. I used to think she was being too hard on you. Now, I see I just don't know you as well as she does."I opened my mouth, but it took me a moment to find my voice. "I really didn't—"The hotel manager hurried over.My father glanced at me. "She shouldn't be here."The manager called me into the staff hallway less than 10 minutes later

Chapter 2 The Doors That Closed

I transferred the $1,000 my mother had given me for living expenses back to her on the subway back to campus.After I did, all I had left in my bank account was a measly $871.It took me a few seconds to remember where the rest had gone.I'd spent $46 on textbooks at the start of the semester, a little over $70 on necessities, and about $10 on printing.That came to $129 in total.I stared at my balance for a long time before transferring the $871. "I'll pay back the remaining $129 as soon as I can."My mother replied almost instantly, "You've only had $1,000 for a few days. How did you spend so much?"I quickly explained, "It was all for textbooks and necessities.""Doesn't the campus library have free textbooks? Did you really have to buy necessities that cost so much? Nora, you really have no idea how to handle your finances."I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, forcing the tears back.My nose burned, and a faint salty bitterness spread across my tongue.I swallowed

Chapter 3 The Money Was There

By Friday, I couldn't withstand the hunger any longer. I had four classes that morning, and all I had was two cups of water.By noon, my stomach started cramping up from time to time. I split the half-pack of crackers left in my backpack into two portions and only dared to eat one.During my afternoon programming class, my hand shook as I held the mouse. The code on the screen started to blur.My roommate eventually slipped me a piece of candy. "Nora, you're looking way too pale."After class, she insisted on dragging me to the cafeteria.I ordered a plain baked potato and a side salad. The total came to $6.50.I tapped my campus card, but the payment was declined for insufficient funds.There were still people waiting behind me, and my face immediately started to burn in mortification. I quickly lowered my head and checked my phone. My dining balance was only $0.63.My roommate immediately held out her card. "Use mine."I was about to tell her I'd pay her back when my phone s

Chapter 4 The Offer

I didn't open the office door. I couldn't.My mother was still talking inside, and it took everything I had in me just to brace myself against the wall and make my way downstairs one step at a time.People started whispering the moment I stepped out of the academic building."Is that her?""Her mom said it herself. She's the illegitimate daughter."I slowed for a moment, lowered my head, and kept shuffling forward.My phone wouldn't stop vibrating. Another post had gone up on the campus forum."Rich Illegitimate Daughter Pretends to Be Poor—What's She Really After?"There were already hundreds of comments.Some people said I was playing the victim to pressure my father into acknowledging me. Someone even posted screenshots of my roommate defending me."Is she in on it too?"Dozens of hateful comments were thrown at my roommate.I stared at the screen for a few seconds, and my palms suddenly broke out in sweat.I messaged my roommate immediately. "Stop defending me."She r

Chapter 5 What Makes It Different?

There was silence on the other end for more than ten seconds before that man finally sent me an address."East Gate of the school. I'll send a car."I stared at the message, my palms damp with sweat.It wasn't until a black sedan pulled up by the curb that I learned his name was Tobias Creed.He didn't ask why I'd agreed. He simply handed me a paper bag."Eat first."There was a bowl of oatmeal and a couple of simple sides waiting for me inside.The heat from the oatmeal warmed my face, and my stomach lurched eagerly. I took a spoonful, but I swallowed too quickly. The pain that assailed my senses was so sudden that I doubled over, my vision turning spotty.Tobias frowned. "How long has it been since you had a proper meal?"I lowered my head and weakly stirred the oatmeal. "I don't remember."He didn't ask anything else.He pushed his phone toward me when I was halfway through my meal."The $50,000 I mentioned earlier wasn't a joke. You'll come to a few dinners with me each

Chapter 6 The Money I Never Saw

When my father arrived, I had just finished the bowl of oatmeal Tobias bought for me.He pushed the private room door open, but the first thing he looked at wasn't me. Instead, his eyes immediately fell on the bank card on the table."Give the money back to him."I didn't budge.My father's expression grew darker. "Nora, I'm talking to you."Tobias leaned back in his chair. "Mr. Callahan, she hasn't accepted it yet."My father seemed relieved. He reached for the card, but I put my hand over it first.His hand stopped in midair.I looked up at him. "Didn't you say I had money on the brain? So, why are you so eager to take that money away from me now that I've actually got some?"My father opened his mouth. "I said that in anger."My lips twitched mirthlessly. "But I took you seriously."The room fell silent. All I could hear was the hum of the air conditioner.My father sat down across from me. For the first time, he didn't ask me to be understanding toward my mother."I ju

Chapter 7 How Much Is Love Worth?

My mother called me less than ten minutes after the $50,000 hit my account.I didn't answer.A moment later, she sent me a screenshot of the transfer from Tobias."Nora, did you really sell yourself?"I stared at the message, and the oatmeal I'd just eaten seemed to rise in my throat.The next morning, I had barely walked into the academic building when I saw my mother standing in the lobby. She was wearing a light-colored dress with barely any makeup on. A crowd had already gathered around her. When she saw me, her eyes immediately reddened."Nora, come home with me."I stopped, and someone nearby lifted a phone to record our conversation.My mother walked over and reached for my hand. I instinctively pulled away.Tears immediately spilled down her cheeks. "You really took $50,000 from a man just to spite me?"A wave of shocked gasps went through the crowd, and phones turned toward me from every direction.I felt my hands and feet go cold."This is my business.""Your bus

Chapter 8 What I Have Now

My father asked the academic advisor to get everyone to leave. Eventually, the lobby slowly emptied.My mother was still crying. "Pierce, are you really yelling at me because of her?"My father didn't answer. He only stared at the mark on my face, his hand reaching for my cheek. "Does it hurt?"I instinctively took a step back. "No."His hand stopped in midair.My mother suddenly started crying even harder."You see? This is exactly what she does. She's been pretending to be the good, understanding daughter since she was little, making everyone think everything is all my fault."My fingers went cold.My father closed his eyes for a moment. "Hazel, we'll talk about this at home.""I won't be joining you," I muttered.My mother whipped her head toward me. "You're giving that $50,000 back. Now."I didn't move. "Why?"She stared at me as if she hadn't heard me correctly. "What did you say?""Why should I give it back?"Then, I took out my phone and opened my balance right in

Chapter 9 The Lies She Told

The next day, my father transferred me $80,000.I saw the notification that the money had come through, but I didn't intend to keep it.He sent me a message a few minutes later, saying, "This is what I should have given you all along."I transferred the money back.My phone rang almost immediately."Nora, you're not even going to take my money?"I held the fresh bread I'd just bought for myself and slowly swallowed a bite."You called me greedy when I asked you for some. Now, I can't imagine what names you'll call me if I do take it."I received no response for a long time.My father came to campus that afternoon. He didn't barge into my dorm. Instead, he waited for me downstairs.A few days had passed since we last saw each other, and stubble had grown along his jaw.When he saw me, he handed me a stack of printed messages. "Look."The first page was from my freshman year of high school.My mother had texted him, "Nora heard Kiera was going on a school trip to Sunnyvale a

Chapter 10 The Money Was Mine

My mother cried for a long time.My father stopped trying to comfort her. Instead, he simply gathered up the chat records one by one."I'm going to go back and calculate everything I've paid for Nora over the years. I'm talking about her tuition, living expenses, and other school-related costs."My mother looked up at him sharply. "What are you getting at?""I mean that she will be getting whatever that was meant for her. Every cent of it."The tear tracks on her face hadn't even dried, but her tone had already changed."Nora, are you happy now? You've made such a big scene because of some money. Have you finally sated your greed?"I looked at my mother.In the past, I would immediately try to explain myself upon hearing such accusations. I'd tell her I hadn't wanted anything. I had been so afraid that she'd think I was greedy.However, that was no longer the case. So, I nodded. "Yes."My mother froze."I want what's mine. I want the money meant for my tuition and living exp

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