Chapter 2

An expression of extreme disgust instantly appeared on Mom's face. She pointed at me in disbelief:

"Is all you do calculate everything?"

"All these years, Lily's been the one staying by your dad and me, being filial on your behalf. You're not grateful and now you're even complaining about this?"

"I raised you for nothing! Don't worry, when we're old we'll stay with Lily. You just need to send over alimony every month!"

"And give Lily an extra three thousand a month! Taking care of us all the time isn't easy for her!"

I could hardly believe my ears.

I was the one who got lost and spent over a decade in an orphanage. Lily was the one adopted to enjoy over a decade in my place! Now they were saying I should thank her?

My monthly salary was only fifteen thousand. After giving them 8,880 and Lily another 3,000, would I not need to eat or drink? Given their level of favoritism, all that money would probably end up in Lily's pocket anyway!

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I opened my mouth to argue and refuse, but was interrupted by a series of notification sounds.

Mom received a bunch more AI videos from Lily. After watching them, her face immediately turned ashen.

The next second, a heavy, vicious slap landed on my face, stunning me completely.

"How can you be so cruel? She's your sister! She's suffering at the hands of kidnappers, and you're here asking questions, refusing to give a single cent! Are you hoping she dies so you can take all our assets?"

"Let me tell you, don't even think about it! If anything happens to Lily, you won't have it easy either!"

My cheek burned with pain. That slap completely shattered all my illusions about maternal love. I grabbed her hand as she tried to hit me again, laughing coldly:

"Mom, when have I ever coveted your assets? You only brought me home in high school and gave me 88 dollars a month for living expenses—not even enough to eat!"

"After college, you said I was an adult and shouldn't be a burden anymore! You never gave me another cent!"

"As soon as I started working, you made me pay exorbitant rent, utilities..."

"Don't bring up all that ancient history with me!"

Mom shoved me hard. Another crying AI video from Lily popped up on her phone.

"Lily needs five million in ransom now. You must sell that apartment of yours!"

"Impossible."

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms:

"That's my own house. It has nothing to do with any of you! Figure out Lily's situation yourself!"

I grabbed my bag and turned to leave. Behind me came Mom's vicious cursing and crying, along with threats telling me to get out and never come back.

I walked forward with my back straight, didn't look back, only felt my heart soaking in ice water, chilled to the bone.

In my previous life it was the same—I rushed back from Seattle overnight because of one sentence from Mom, only to not even get a sip of hot water.

To her, I was always cold-blooded and disobedient, not like her daughter at all, more like her enemy.

As soon as I reached the hotel, I received a call from Lily.

Her voice carried its usual smugness and mockery:

"Emma, sorry about that. Did I get you scolded by Mom again? Oh well, Mom just loves me too much."

"By the way, don't tell Mom about the AI videos. I'm just short on cash lately. Even if Mom finds out, she won't blame me."

"But if you expose it, and something happens to me, who do you think Mom will believe—me or you?"