Chapter 3

The next morning, I was woken up by a deafening pounding on my door.

"Open up! Chloe Bennett, open the door right now!"

It was a loud, screeching voice of an older woman.

I rubbed my temples and walked out to the living room.

Ethan had already opened the door.

Standing outside was a scrawny, rural-looking elderly woman, clutching two worn-out duffel bags.

It was Ethan’s mother, Martha Carter.

Years ago, she was the one who knelt in front of my rented room, crying and begging me to save her son because they couldn't afford his tuition.

Now, she had a completely different face.

The moment Martha stepped inside, she sat flat on the floor and began throwing a hysterical tantrum.

"Oh, Lord! This is unjust!"

"City people are bullying us poor country folks!"

"Chloe Bennett, you heartless witch! You are trying to drive my son to his grave!"

She wailed, slapping the hardwood floor.

Tiffany stood beside her, pretending to comfort her.

"Save your energy, Mrs. Carter. Don't ruin your health."

Ethan stood by, looking at me with a condescending gaze.

"Chloe, look what you've done to my mother."

I pulled out my phone, opened the camera, and pointed it directly at Martha on the floor.

"Keep crying," I said calmly.

Martha choked on her tears, momentarily stunned.

Looking at the black camera lens, she felt a bit intimidated.

"What do you think you're filming?"

"Collecting evidence," I replied coldly.

"Didn't you say I'm driving your son to his grave? Let's let the internet see your wonderful performance."

Martha scrambled up from the floor and pointed her finger right at my nose, screaming.

"You little brat! Sponsoring my son was your own choice!"

"My Ethan is so smart. You should be honored he accepted your money!"

"Now, not only are you refusing to give us wedding money, but you're also demanding he pay you back? You're a monster!"

As she screamed, she looked around my living room.

Her eyes lit up when they landed on my newly purchased 85-inch smart TV.

"Oh, look at how big this TV is! Ethan, this is great. When you guys get married, this will look perfect in your new living room."

She then stroked my leather sofa.

"This leather is so soft. Chloe, since you’re giving this apartment to my son as a wedding gift anyway, you might as well leave all the furniture behind."

I almost laughed out loud at her shameless logic.

"Who said I was giving him this apartment?"

Martha put her hands on her hips, acting completely entitled.

"Not only do you have to give them the apartment, but you also have to hand over that $150,000 cash!"

"Let me tell you, Tiffany is carrying a Carter family heir!"

"If anything happens to my grandbaby because of you, I will make your life a living hell!"