Chapter 2
A few days later, the campus bulletin board had a poster for an alumni lecture series.
“Scarlett Foster” was printed in bold black letters right in the center.
My brain went fuzzy and I turned to bolt.
But Cecilia grabbed my arm, squealing with excitement:
“River, look! It’s Scarlett Foster! A female Forbes billionaire!”
“Oh my God! Oh my God!! We’re gonna see her in person!”
“My mom also uses her as motivation-has her pictures all over the house!”
She spoke with animated excitement, little stars of enthusiasm sparkling in her eyes.
Then she literally dragged me, pushing and shoving me into the packed auditorium.
In there, Scarlett Foster was standing on stage.
Sharp, professional blazer, speaking clearly about business strategy and market trends.
Nothing like the hysterical, bitter woman Dad always described.
My heart started racing for reasons.
But I couldn’t name it.
After the lecture, school officials swarmed around her.
I tried to blend into the crowd, head down, just wanting to escape.
“River?”
“River Holloway!”
The entire hall suddenly went silent.
Hundreds of eyes turned to stare at me.
Nowhere to hide. I just stood there, frozen.
She ignored everyone else and walked straight to me.
“Come with me.”
Without allowing any protest, she dragged me straight out of the hall.
Whispers crashed over us like a wave.
“What’s their relationship?”
“They look alike, don’t you think? Could they be mother and daughter?!”
10:01
“No way-look what she’s wearing, that’s like… thrift store stuff?”
“If that’s really her daughter, how is she living like this?”
Cecilia’s voice stood out distinctly in the crowd:
“Holy shit, my mom’s idol’s daughter is actually my roommate! Let me wrap my head around this…”
I clenched my fists and stayed silent.
In a little while, she pulled me to the cafeteria.
What a surprise.
“Look how skinny you are, it’s mealtime, let’s eat first. Just buy your own portion, I’ll find us a seat.”
I had no choice but to reluctantly get food-same as always, a veggie sandwich plus five complimentary cherry tomatoes-nine dollars
total.
Seeing me set down that pathetic amount of food on my tray, she frowned.
“I send you two hundred thousand every month… This is what you’re eating?!”
Two hundred thousand?!!
Those three words exploded in my brain.
“What… what two hundred thousand?”
My voice shook uncontrollably.
I’d only ever received eight hundred!
Mom looked stunned too.
“I transfer two hundred thousand to you every month on the 15th. Don’t you receive?”
Then she tapped her phone a few times and turned the screen toward me.
Row after row of transfer records, each one for two hundred grand, all to Dad’s account.
What the hell is it?!
Ice-cold hands and feet, brain totally blank.
My world completely collapsed.
Where did all that money go??
“Your dad didn’t give it to you?” Mom looked confused.
I forced myself to stay calm, pulling out a stiff smile.
“Dad told me everything, the money came through.”
The moment that lie left my lips, I saw Mom’s tense expression clearly relax.
“River, this is Mom’s fault. I’ve been too busy all these years, could only try to make it up to you with money.”
Chapter 2
“Oh, and,” she added casually, “that Porsche Cayenne I got you for your eighteenth birthday-how come I never see you driving it? Your dad said you didn’t like it, so I didn’t ask more about it.”
Porsche Cayenne?!!
What the hell is going on?!
I dug my nails into my palms, fighting to stay lucid.
“At school… driving’s too flashy, and parking’s a hassle anyway.”
“OK, fine. Just don’t forget about the car maintenance.”
For the next five minutes, I wolfed down my sandwich in a few bites, stuffed all five cherry tomatoes in my mouth at once,
mumbled through the food:
“I… have stuffs, I gonna… go.”
After saying goodbye to Mom, I practically ran back to my dorm.
Slammed the door and slid down against it to the floor.
With shaking hands, I found that number I’d never called in my contacts.
and
“Mom.”
She picked up instantly.
“River?”
“What is it, did you forget something?”
I bit my lip hard, forcing myself to speak.
“No, Mom, I… just… I… Can you give some money? It’s urgent.”
No hesitation on her end.
“Of course, dear. How much?”
“Fifty… fifty thousand.” A number I’d never dared dream of.
“I’ll transfer it right now.”
“Mom, I’ll give you a new account number.”
“No problem.”
Less than ten seconds after hanging up, my phone buzzed.
Text notification: fifty thousand dollars.
The note read:
[If it’s not enough, just tell me. Don’t deprive yourself. Remember to eat more, don’t just think about staying slim-health is most important. Love you.]
I stared at those words as tears streamed down my face.
This was… my mother?
The person I’d hated for eighteen years?
I wiped my tears and opened another chat with trembling fingers.
Took a deep breath and typed:
[Dad, I really need money urgently. Could you ask Mom again?]
His reply came lightning-fast, as always.
[You know your mom’s temper. Whether it’s you or me, if we ask her for money, we’re guaranteed to get chewed out. River, you need to learn to solve your own problems.]
[If I beg her again, she’ll just look down on us more.]
[Stop thinking about it. Dad can’t help either.]
So… I’d been a fool for eighteen years.
After I calmed down, I used the money Mom gave me to hire a private investigator online.
One target only:
Every bank account under Jaxon Holloway’s name!
