Chapter 4

Daniel wiped away a tear: "Chloe said families where she's from absolutely have to have wedding settlements worth hundreds of thousands, and two hundred thousand is the absolute minimum. If I can't come up with two hundred thousand, she'll break up with me."

He grabbed my hand, speaking earnestly: "Mom, I just love her and want to marry her. Please, help me figure something out. Later, when I make big money, I'll take good care of you. Forget two hundred thousand, I'll give you even more!"

I silently watched him: "First, explain to me what Chloe said about the skincare products."

Daniel's eyes darted around: "I saw you still had plenty of your own skincare left, so I figured you wouldn't need Chloe's for a while. Plus, you used to give me your extras, right? So this time, I just took the liberty of using it."

"I just forgot to tell you, that's all." Daniel looked at me displeased: "Why are you being so nitpicky with your own son?"

"Then why did you tell me she thought I only deserved to use drugstore brands?"

Daniel started to act like a spoiled child: "That was just me misunderstanding her meaning by accident. I'll be more careful in the future, just forgive me this once."

"Right now, the urgent thing is Chloe's two-hundred-thousand-dollar wedding settlement. Mom, I'm your only son, you have to help me figure this out."

I wasn't satisfied with Daniel's explanation.

He'd been a sly one since he was a kid; how could he possibly misunderstand something so simple?

Was he up to something behind my back?

And did Chloe know?

So, I went along with his words: "Why don't you invite Chloe over for dinner again sometime? I want to evaluate her character. If she passes, forget two hundred thousand, I'll sell everything we own to get you even three hundred thousand for the settlement."

Daniel's eyes lit up, but then he worriedly cautioned me: "When Chloe comes, you absolutely mustn't bring up the settlement. She's already unhappy, I'm afraid she'll get even angrier, and what if the wedding gets called off?"

I gave him a cool look.

It was probably less about not wanting Chloe to worry, and more about him being afraid I'd question her.

Daniel acted quickly, bringing Chloe back the very next day.

But her expression didn't look very good.

She seemed rather distant even towards my hospitality.