Chapter 2

"You short-sighted woman! You're only fit to be a coward all your life!" Jack slammed his chopsticks onto the table, pointing at me as he yelled.

"Tom has made it crystal clear. An initial investment of $50,000, and we'll break even in just three months!"

"This is a guaranteed money-maker. If I wasn't his cousin, he wouldn't have let me in on such an amazing opportunity!"

I tried to reason with him anxiously, "Jack, you've just lost your job. The severance pay is only $10,000, nowhere near $50,000."

"Besides, countless bubble tea shops have gone bust in recent years. How can it be a sure thing?"

"Emma is still in the hospital. We need money for her treatment. I don't agree with you joining this bubble tea franchise!"

Seeing my refusal, Jack swept all the dishes off the table in a fit of rage.

"When I married you, you were so down-to-earth. When did you become such a money-grubber?"

"Yes, I lost my job, but that's because the manager felt threatened by me and bribed other colleagues to give me low scores! If it wasn't for him, I'd have been promoted by now, with my salary doubled!"

"I don't have enough money on hand, but if we mortgage the house, won't that be enough?"

Our daughter had leukemia and needed money for treatment, yet he not only called me greedy but also wanted to mortgage the house. I felt my heart sink to the bottom.

"The franchise fee is $30,000, equipment costs $10,000, and rent plus renovation is another $10,000. If the bubble tea shop doesn't do well, all this money will go down the drain!" I tried to make him see reason.

"We absolutely cannot mortgage the house. If Emma's condition worsens, this will be our last lifeline!"

Jack let out a cold laugh, "My shop hasn't even opened yet, and you're already cursing it. You really can't stand to see me do well, can you? Afraid I'll earn more than you!"

"She's already cost us over a hundred grand, and she's still not better. Isn't that money down the drain too?"

His words stabbed at my heart. After having our daughter, I became a full-time housewife. He never missed a chance to remind me that I didn't earn a penny and only knew how to spend.

But the truth was, before we got married, both the house and car were bought outright with my salary. He was the one who moved in with just his bags.

Back then, he proudly boasted to all our relatives, "My Olivia is beautiful and capable. Marrying her is the greatest fortune of my life."

But since I quit my job, all his gentleness and consideration vanished, replaced by tyranny and bullying.

I had endured all of this, wanting only for our daughter to have a complete family.

However, I never imagined he would think the money spent on our daughter's treatment was a waste.

Jack's face turned red with anger, "Let me tell you, Olivia, I've researched this brand thoroughly. It's the newest trending franchise in our city."

"They use only pure tea and milk for their bubble tea. From 3-year-old kids to 80-year-old seniors, everyone can drink it. How can a bubble tea that appeals to all ages not be successful?"

"Stop trying to stop me. Tom said he'd help me run it. I'm definitely joining this franchise!"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Not long after, he posted on SnapChat: "All in!"

The image was a loan contract.

In our family group chat, messages kept popping up.

Tom complained, "Sister-in-law, you're just too timid. You don't have my brother's guts. You'll never make money like this!"

I couldn't help but send a message, "All I know is that right now, my daughter needs money to save her life!"

Jack's reply came quickly, "I don't believe she'll die tomorrow."

"The bubble tea shop will make over $10,000 a day. In just two months, we can cure any disease!"

The relatives in the group chat chimed in, each supporting Jack, implying between the lines that I was overbearing and didn't know how to support my husband.

My in-laws even sent a voice message, cursing our daughter as a debt collector, not only causing her father to lose his job but also draining the family's money for treatment.

Looking at my daughter lying pale-faced in the hospital room, I couldn't bear to read these heartless words anymore and turned off my phone.

Since you'd rather take out a high-interest loan to open a bubble tea shop, I won't try to persuade you anymore!