Chapter 2
Charlotte’s face twisted into something absolutely hideous as she screeched at the top of her lungs. “That’s IMPOSSIBLE! You morons probably don’t even know how to use the damn machine!“]
The teacher had no choice but to hand her the card reader. We all heard that sharp BEEP followed by the robotic voice:]
“CARD DECLINED.“[]
“What the HELL?” Charlotte actually stumbled backward like she’d been slapped.]
The other parents couldn’t hold back their laughter anymore. “Hey Charlotte, did you fish that card out of a dumpster or something?”
“Talk about fake it till you make it! How embarrassing!”
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Charlotte’s face was turning purple as she kept jamming that card into the reader over and over like a maniac.[]
“CARD DECLINED.“[]
“CARD DECLINED.“]]
The crowd was absolutely roaring with laughter now. People were literally pointing and cackling.
Madison was starting to panic too. “Mommy, what’s happening?! I NEED that award!“[]
I watched Charlotte’s pathetic meltdown with pure satisfaction before stepping forward with my sweetest smile. “Well, since the Sterling family can’t actually cough up that five million, looks like first place stays with my daughter.“[]
Lily’s face lit up like Christmas morning. She winked at me and started heading for the stage.
“WAIT!” Charlotte’s voice cracked like a thirteen–year–old boy’s. “Just because this card’s busted doesn’t mean I don’t have the money! That trophy belongs to MY daughter, and that’s FINAL!“[]
She glared at me with pure venom before frantically dialing her phone. Soon I heard a familiar voice answer – my own HUSBAND, Ryan.[]
After Charlotte hung up, she was back to her smug self, practically glowing with arrogance.[]
“Don’t worry, princess! Nobody’s stealing your award today. It’s ALL yours!”
She shot me the most obnoxious “eat shit” look imaginable.[]
I couldn’t help but smirk.[]
I’d just watched Charlotte and Ryan have the most disgusting phone conversation ever, all lovey dovey and gross enough to make everyone uncomfortable.[]
A few seconds later, MY phone started buzzing. Ryan’s voice came through, dripping with that same entitled attitude:[]
“Maya! What the hell is wrong with the card you gave me? Call the bank RIGHT NOW and get it fixed, and bump the limit up to
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Chapter 2
fifty million while you’re at it!“[]
I stayed totally calm. “What do you need that much money for?“]
“Business meetings and client dinners, obviously! Stop wasting time with stupid questions and just GET IT DONE!“[]
I lowered my eyes just enough to hide the absolute FURY building inside me.]
After running the show behind the scenes for over a decade, anyone who really knew me would recognize this look – it meant someone was about to get completely DESTROYED.[]
How absolutely PATHETIC. Some gold–digging house–husband who lived off MY family’s money had the balls to keep a mistress right under my nose AND boss me around like I was his servant.[]
Clearly I’d been way too nice to him. Time to remind everyone who the hell actually runs this house.[]
When I didn’t respond immediately, Ryan sent a bunch of whiny voice messages before going silent.[]
Meanwhile, Charlotte was waving her phone around like a victory flag, showing off that five million dollar bank balance to everyone.[
She put on this fake–sweet smile while her eyes screamed “I’m better than all of you peasants.“[]
“See, teacher? Told you so! Rich families don’t sweat five million. Hell, fifty million is pocket change for us. Unlike these salary slaves who probably have to check their couch cushions just to find ten grand.“[]
She shot me the most condescending look before turning to Lily with fake concern.[]
“Sweetie, maybe in your next life you’ll be born into money so people can’t just steal what you worked so hard for.“[]
Lily grinned right back at her. “Don’t worry, lady. What’s mine is MINE, and nobody’s taking it!”
I stepped up beside my daughter, keeping my smile perfectly pleasant. “That’s right. What belongs to MY daughter stays with my daughter.“[]
“Five million? That’s nothing.“[]
One of the teachers actually tried to pull me aside. “Lily’s mom, five million isn’t chump change! For these rich families it’s like buying a purse, but for regular people that’s life–changing money. Don’t bankrupt yourself and your husband over this.“]
Other parents started piling on with their fake concern, while some brown–nosers were straight up mocking me:[]
“Wonder what she makes in a year? Acting all high and mighty like she’s got money to burn! Probably gonna lose her house over this!“]]
“Some people just can’t handle reality! Way to bite off more than you can chew!“]
I’d always taught Lily to keep a low profile, so everyone assumed we were just regular working–class people who got into this fancy school on merit alone.[]
I looked around at all these kiss ass parents, already mentally cataloging which companies they worked for and exactly how I was going to ruin them.[]
Chapter 2
Then I turned to the teacher with my sweetest smile. “I’ll just transfer the money to the school account, same as Mrs. Sterling hear
