Chapter 3

In the days that followed, Camilla was like a woman possessed, leaving early and coming home late, constantly attending business dinners. Her company was reportedly thriving, quickly securing its second and third rounds of investment.

Meanwhile, I went to the local produce market punctually every day, carrying my Peppa Pig tote bag. Because my living expenses were cut, I learned to haggle fiercely with the elderly vendors over every single cent.

One day, as I was battling it out with a vendor over the price of a potato, a man in a sharp suit approached me.

It was Dave.

He looked much more energetic than last time, with a middle-aged man beside him.

"Ms. Hart, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Mr. Harrison. He's in the construction materials business."

Mr. Harrison handed me a business card, his manner very polite. "Ms. Hart, I've heard so much about you. Dave told me everything. You're a truly generous person. I'm looking to expand a warehouse recently, and I heard you own a disused old factory. Would you be interested in selling it?"

I paused, surprised.

An old factory?

I remembered now. It was a birthday gift from my grandpa when I turned eighteen. He'd held my hand and said, "Hazel, you have a kind heart, unlike the others. This land will bring you blessings someday."

But that place was practically in the middle of nowhere, a forgotten wasteland for years. I'd almost completely forgotten about it.

"That place... it can actually be sold for money?"

"Of course!" Mr. Harrison's eyes lit up. "Even though the location is remote, the area is huge, which perfectly suits my needs. I'm willing to offer you four hundred thousand dollars. How does that sound?"

Four hundred thousand dollars.

To me, that was an astronomical figure.

Dave was an honest man, and his cousin looked trustworthy. I barely hesitated before agreeing.

On the day of the contract signing, I deliberately brought the Peppa Pig tote bag my sister had given me, with my ID and household register inside.

After getting the money, the first thing I did was go to the mall and buy a ton of snacks, then took a taxi home.

When I appeared in the living room, lugging multiple shopping bags, the three Hart family members stared at me, their expressions strange.

"Hazel Hart! Where on earth did you get the money for all this junk?" My mom was the first to attack.

"Oh, I sold that old factory Grandpa gave me," I replied casually.

"Sold it?!" Camilla shrieked. "You actually sold it? For how much?"

"Four hundred thousand dollars."

"Four hundred thousand dollars?" Camilla burst out laughing as if she'd heard the funniest joke. "Hazel Hart, are you stupid? Even though that factory is remote, the land alone is worth at least half a million! You actually sold it for four hundred thousand? You're such a spendthrift!"

She acted utterly distraught, as if the factory belonged to her.

My dad's face was grim. "Nonsense! Why didn't you discuss family matters with us first? Four hundred thousand, you've been ripped off!"

I looked at their outraged faces and suddenly felt completely bored.

"It's sold, what's the point of talking about it now?"

I didn't want to waste any more words on them. I took my snacks and went upstairs.

Behind me, Camilla's scornful sneer followed. "Trash will always be trash. Even if a gold mine falls into her lap, she wouldn't know how to keep it."