Chapter 2

In this life, I was determined to get away from this family.

If you believe in handouts from heaven, then go ahead and make a mess of things.

Unlike my usual cautious advice, Liam beamed with confidence after getting my support.

"See? I told you this was a surefire way to make a fortune, a deal where you can't lose. I'll take Chloe to buy the house tomorrow!"

Mom quickly asked, "Which neighborhoods are you looking at? Is it close to our place? What's the price like?"

Liam looked utterly unconcerned.

"Chloe already picked out the house. It's in the Waterfront Residences. She said she loves the name, 'Waterfront' means encountering water generates wealth, so I'll definitely get rich later."

I almost burst out laughing.

That development was notorious in the industry for being the hardest to sell. Not only was the location remote, but it had no amenities whatsoever.

Kids would have to travel seven or eight miles just to get to a kindergarten. The worst part was that even the smallest units started at 1400 square feet.

Such an ill-designed house made it incredibly difficult to sell; anyone who bought it would be a sucker.

"Ava, you've been working in real estate for years, right? What do you think of this development?"

Mom asked anxiously, and Liam looked at me curiously.

By now, I had pretty much guessed Chloe's motive, but I had no intention of exposing it.

"Since it's Liam's wedding home, what matters most is that you two like it."

"After all, it doesn't matter where you live; what truly matters is that the people living in it have a good relationship."

Liam's eyes crinkled in a smile.

"Ava actually said something sensible for once. Mom, stop worrying. Tomorrow, after I buy the house, I'll bring Chloe home for you to meet her. You won't find a pretty girl like her on any dating app!"

Mom nodded happily, again and again.

Watching them enjoy their happy moment, I was about to leave when Liam spoke up again.

"The down payment for the house will be at least three hundred thousand dollars, right? You two discuss how to come up with that money."

Ah, there it was. So this is what he was waiting for.

Mom naturally looked at me.

"Ava, you've been working for so many years, you must have saved up a lot of money. The down payment for Liam's house is all on you."

When people are speechless, they really do laugh.

Mom always said it wasn't easy raising us two kids by herself, and I had always believed that once I started working, I should repay her.

So, ever since graduation, I'd faithfully send three thousand dollars home every month, without fail. That money was more than enough for Mom's living expenses alone.

Not to mention the cash gifts for holidays, festivals, and birthdays.

All in all, I must have given her two hundred thousand dollars over the years. Now Liam's three-hundred-thousand-dollar down payment was just casually being placed on me?

If she hadn't been viciously cursing me, calling me worthless as I lay dying in my previous life, I probably still wouldn't have woken up.

Turns out, all my heartfelt contributions were just seen as a blood bank to support my brother.

I wiped away a tear and started to cry.

"I've had such bad luck this year. I lost all my savings in the stock market. Next month's rent is even a problem. I was actually hoping to ask the family for some money to get through this tough time."

Liam was shocked, then immediately furious.

"What! You lost all the money you should have been saving for me in some stupid stock trading? If I can't come up with the down payment, how am I supposed to get a wife? Who gave you permission to squander all that money?"

Mom also complained relentlessly. "You useless girl, you're completely clueless. I told you to give all your money to me, but you wouldn't, you guarded it like I was a thief. Now look, all the money's gone down the drain, and you have the nerve to ask us for money?"

I suppressed the anger in my heart, knowing that the money I had transferred home before was long gone.

Fine. Now, I just wanted to cut my losses and escape this terrifying home as quickly as possible.

"Mom, even though I don't have any money right now, I've given you three thousand dollars every month for years, which adds up to two hundred thousand. Let's just consider that as my contribution to Liam's down payment."

Mom instantly panicked. "You useless girl, what are you talking about? There's no two hundred thousand!"

Liam stared at her, wide-eyed in surprise.

"Why have I never heard about you having that much money?"