Chapter 3

The evidence was right in front of me. Looking at the very real transaction history, I had no choice but to believe it.

I frowned, stepping closer to inspect my sister.

"Does this power have any side effects? Chloe, do you feel sick or anything?"

She pushed me away impatiently. "Oh, stop being such a buzzkill, Hazel. We're about to be millionaires. Who cares about side effects?"

Dad’s eyes gleamed with greed. He slapped his forehead, an idea striking him.

"Chloe, your sister actually has a point. What if there's a limit to this power? We need to maximize it! Let's start a live stream. People on TikTok go crazy for this stuff."

Dad had already mapped out a grand blueprint in his head.

"We don't have to use the real power all the time; that would be too exhausting. We can buy some gold foil and metallic paint beforehand. Prepare some old wood and rocks. During the stream, use those props as cover, and only perform the real transformation at key moments. The visual impact will go viral!"

Chloe’s eyes lit up.

"Yes! And we can run a giveaway! We can randomly select a lucky viewer and 'manifest' gold directly into their investment accounts—just like I did for Hazel! Once people see real money hitting their accounts, they’ll shower me with expensive digital gifts!"

The two of them got more and more excited, as if they could already see mountains of cash falling from the sky.

Standing on the side, watching their feverish excitement, a deep sense of dread crept into my heart.

The conservation of energy is a fundamental law of physics. How could something be created out of nothing without a price?

I couldn't help but speak up.

"Dad, Chloe, this is too bizarre. What if this power is draining her life? We should take Chloe to the hospital for a checkup first, or at least keep this low-key. What if some government agency takes her away for research? And what if taxing this power ruins her health?"

The smile on Dad's face froze.

Slowly, his expression turned into utter disgust.

"What are you talking about?! Your sister has a gift, and instead of being happy for her, you're cursing her?"

Chloe gently pulled Dad's sleeve, putting on a soft, victimized voice.

"Dad, don't blame Hazel. She’s just worried about me. Honestly, every time I use this power, I do feel completely drained, like my soul is being hollowed out."

Hearing this, I was about to warn her again, but her tone suddenly shifted. She looked up, looking incredibly noble and self-sacrificing.

"But for our family to live a good life, for you to live in a mansion and wear a Rolex, what does a little sacrifice matter? As long as we can be rich, I don't mind losing a few years of my life."

Tears welled up in Dad's eyes.

He glared at me fiercely, then grabbed Chloe’s hands.

"Look at your sister! Now that is selflessness! That is true love! Chloe is talented and devoted, unlike you—useless and filled with jealousy!"

"You claimed you saved up gold. Where is it? You've worked for years and you're still a low-level corporate drone. Last time I asked you to cover a dinner bill with my friends, you said you couldn't afford it and made me lose face! I haven't even settled that score with you yet!"

"Get out of my house, you jealous leech. You won't get a single penny of our wealth!"

I was shoved toward the door. The door slammed shut, then opened briefly just for my purse to be hurled out onto the hallway floor.

Chloe looked down at me with a smirk.

"Hazel, I know you're jealous. The gold I manifested effortlessly is worth more than what you've earned working yourself to death for years."

"But that's reality. Are you green with envy? Maybe I can toss you some spare change?"

I took a deep breath. Instead of rushing to pick up my bag, I looked her dead in the eye and warned her.

"I’m your sister, which is why I’m telling you this. You admitted this manifestation has side effects. Dad's greed is a bottomless pit. Don't ruin your own health just to pull cash out of thin air."

I quietly bent down to pick up my purse, but she kicked it, sending it tumbling down the stairs.

"Oops. My bad, Hazel. My foot slipped. Guess you’ll have to walk down and get it."

"To tell you the truth," Chloe said, casually inspecting her manicure with a mocking smile, "the side effects aren't mine to bear. But you might want to start working harder to make more money, sis."

"What do you mean by that?" I lunged forward to stop her from closing the door.

But she slammed it shut with brute force. The heavy security door clamped hard onto my hand, forcing me to pull back in pain.