Chapter 5
1 spent three full years in Las Vegas, completely immersed in our research. After significant breakthroughs, 1 finally had to return to present our findings, so I boarded a plane back to Minmi
Before leaving, the project team returned my phone. When I powered it on for the first time in years, I raised an eyebrow at the familiar notification sounds
The screen flooded with thousands of messages and missed calls. I was about to put it away when I noticed one from Mom: “Emma, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. Please come back so I can apologize properly.”
“We had our reasons. Let me explain, please? Emma, I miss you so much. I don’t even know where you are. Just tell me if you’re still alive.”
“Emma, have you really given up on us? ||
1 found it almost laughable. There was a time when treasured every moment with them.]]
From high school onwards, I’d been self–sufficient. Our supposed tight finances combined with my heavy course load was suffocating
Still, I worried about having enough for the month, pinching pennies because my parents always looked so exhausted.]]
I was too young to understand that chronically exhausted people don’t maintain the healthy glow my parents had.]
In my memory, they rarely got sick. When they did have manor issues, they’d power through and recover suspiciously quickly
Loverlooked the injection marks on the backs of their hands, and the premium vitamins they claimed were “gifts from the boss who felt sorry for them.
I was so naive. I never noticed the obvious signs. Shaking my head at the mories, 1 blocked their numbers and deleted all their contact information.
The moment I stepped off the plane, reporters were waiting
Our research team had made a major breakthrough, and the entire group was under media scrutiny after returning. The exposure was expected
Seeing the reporters, I knew my mother would find me again
I gave interviews with the team, and as we were heading to the hotel afterward, Mom broke through security and approached us
She didn’t speak to me directly but instead addressed my research supervisor. “Professor Morris, I understand your project needs substantial funding.
I can provide it I’m Claire Thompson, VP of Thompson Enterprises. If possible, I’d like to speak privately with this young lady.“]
Her offer to talk made me laugh. “Professor Morris, this is my mother. As you know, my family has no money, yet now she’s offering you investment funds. Doesn’t that sound like a scam?“||
My words made the professor immediately suspicious. I specifically recruit students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who aren’t afraid of hard work. If you’re truly a VP at Thompson Enterprises, why has Emma received financial aid for low–income students every year?]
Stop trying to fabricate connections“]
With a wave of his hand, security moved her back as we walked away, she screamed after me, “Emma, I just want to talk to you!“]
Her pursuit was caught on camera and quickly went viral []
Unable to reach me directly, she tried to apologize through social media ||
When internet users pressured her to explain the sumtion, she refused. Tired of watching her play the victim online and seeing the controversy spiral, I finally agreed to meet her to resolve things[]
us to meet at the mansion on Indian Creek Island
When she learned I’d meet with her, she was ecstatic and immediately arranged for us to use
Entering the estate again, I felt a wave of emotions, but quickly composed myself
