Chapter 5

On New Year's Eve eve, our extended family gathered at the luxury hotel.

Amber had dragged along a huge pack of her coworkers too. In total, they filled ten massive banquet tables.

Looking around, there were dozens of distant relatives I had never met in my life.

Mom had certainly gone out of her way to make sure I took a financial hit.

The moment I walked in, all eyes landed on me.

Uncle David spoke first. "Chloe really made it big! Treating the entire family to a five-star hotel!"

Aunt Linda chimed in, "She always had the best grades as a kid. Now look at her—a top-tier professional!"

Uncle Robert said, "Margaret, you raised such a wonderful daughter! She gets a big bonus and immediately thinks of her family!"

Mom waved her hands with a modest laugh. "Oh, stop it! It was all Chloe's idea! She insisted on treating everyone!"

She glanced at me, her smile tight. "Right, Chloe?"

The tone sounded pleasant, but the warning glare beneath it was unmistakable.

I smiled brightly. "Of course. Mom told me family comes first, and now that I'm earning well, I could never forget my roots!"

Envious glances shifted toward Mom. She let out a slightly strained chuckle.

"Alright, everyone sit down!"

Surrounded by relatives, I was ushered to the head table right next to Mom.

Mom leaned in, whispering harshly in my ear, "Don't try any funny tricks. I've got my eyes on you."

She wasn't stupid; she had noticed my demeanor was different today. I wasn't the meek, apologetic girl she usually bullied.

Course after course arrived at the tables.

Bluefin tuna, Australian rock lobsters, Alaskan king crabs.

When some uncles asked for drinks, Mom waved grandly to the staff, ordering multiple bottles of vintage Château Lafite.

"Chloe is paying today! Eat and drink your fill! Nobody leaves until every cent of her bonus is gone!"

Watching the older folks chug premier cru wine like cheap water, someone asked if they could take leftovers home.

Mom nodded enthusiastically. "Take it! Box it all up! If you want more, go tell the kitchen to prepare it! Take whatever you want!"

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve anyway! Box up some luxury dishes for your holiday dinners tomorrow!"

Hearing that, strangers I barely recognized swarmed toward the kitchen.

They packed up king crabs and giant lobsters like free samples at a grocery store.

Some even demanded two unopened bottles of expensive wine to "gift to their bosses."

I sat in silence, watching the circus unfold.

Excusing myself to the restroom, I checked the digital bill on my phone. It had already hit twenty-five thousand dollars, and they were still ordering.