10
I focused on my family, cherishing our time
together. One morning, Britney’s face
L
appeared on the news. Harrison Enterprises
stock was plummeting. Her mismanagement
had delayed a major project, allowing a
competitor to launch first. A billion–dollar
investment had tanked.
This hadn’t happened in my past life, but I
suspected internal sabotage. Back then, I’d
caught the leaker and expedited our launch,
turning a near disaster into a multi–billion
dollar success. Britney clearly lacked that
skill. I laughed, watching her weary face on
- TV.
I headed for the fridge, but spotted Mom on
the balcony, quickly hiding her phone. “Mom,
what’s up?”
She looked away. “Nothing…”
Her phone buzzed. I grabbed it. Britney.
I answered. Britney’s voice was frantic,
furious.
“I was your daughter for 26 years! You won’t
<
even do this for me?! You won’t give me
money after all I went through? How am I
supposed to survive this? Mom, please, just
ask Ashley. Please?”
“Mom! Answer me!”
I understood. “Britney.”
Silence.
“Cat got your tongue? Weren’t you begging?”
“Harassing an old woman, how classy. You
looked down on them, gloated about your
riches. Now you’re begging? I might help… if
you get on your knees and beg.”
I hung up. Mom admitted Britney had been
hounding them for weeks. They’d hidden it to
protect me.
I’d changed my number after moving, but I
powered on my old phone. 99+ messages.
Ethan begged me to help Britney. Of course,
her success was his security. I remembered
him embracing her, insulting me. Disgusting.
く
Then I saw a message from Mom. No longer
cold, she pleaded for me to save Harrison
Enterprises, offering me the VP position. My
life was almost over; I didn’t need a title. I
shut the phone off, never wanting to see their
messages again.
