Chapter 6
Then Mom established a new investment company.
With me as the legal representative.
All done in secret, of course.
She signed a ten-million-dollar “investment contract” with Uncle Mason under her personal name.
When news reached the Holloway family home, they threw a massive celebration.
Grandma and Grandpa grabbed Dad’s hands, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Jaxon, you’re the Holloway family’s greatest hero!”
Dad straightened his shoulders, face flushed with pride as he toasted the relatives.
The moment the money hit the account, Mason Holloway couldn’t hide his true colors anymore.
Less than three days.
First he got himself the latest Benz.
Then bought his precious son a suburban mansion, paid in full.
His social media was nothing but decadent bragging every day, wasteful excess.
And my Dad?
He just turned a blind eye to all of it.
Even felt smug about it-thought they deserved every penny.
Using my new company as cover, I made “partnership” my excuse.
I quietly transferred every valuable physical asset from Uncle Mason’s company, every profitable project contract, every core technology patent…
All moved under my company’s name without a sound.
Less than a month.
Ta-da!
An brand new empty shell company was born-assets stripped bare, nothing left but ten million in debt.
Dad called me.
Voice full of entitlement.
“River, talk to your mom again, get her to add another twenty million in investment.”
“Your uncle’s working on a huge project, great prospects, just needs more startup capital.”
I nearly laughed out loud.
Huge project?
After I’d transferred all the core business away, his company had nothing left but a pile of garbage.
I put the call on speaker.
Mom let out a cold laugh.
“Jaxon, additional investment isn’t small change. I need to see more detailed plans.”
“Tell you what, I’ll come back home personally, we can discuss future collaboration face to face.”
“Yes, yes! Scarlett! Don’t worry! We’ll make sure you’re satisfied!”
Dad was over the moon, sucking up to Mom shamelessly.
After hanging up, I looked at Mom.
Her face was still ice cold.
Meanwhile, the Holloway clan was in full celebration mode.
They booked the most luxurious hotel in the town.
Invited everyone even remotely related, even brought in media.
One goal only.
Announce to the whole towny that the Holloways were about to soar to new heights, thanks to Mom-their personal ATM!
When I walked in arm-in-arm with Mom, my Grandpa was sanding at the hotel’s central podium, announcing excitedly,
“Our family enterprise is about to receive a second round of investment from my daughter-in-law!”
“The future is limitless!”
Mom walked calmly onto the stage and took the microphone.
“Before announcing the investment, I’d like everyone to watch a short film.”
“It’s a gift I specially prepared for the Holloway family.”
The moment she finished speaking, Dad and Uncle Mason beamed and started applauding.
They thought there’d be some even bigger surprise.
For a moment, all eyes turned to the screen.
On screen: my monthly eight-hundred-dollar bank transfer records.
Eighteen straight years.
Dad’s smile froze instantly.
Then the image switched.
Every month, $199,200, transferred on schedule to Mason Holloway’s personal account.
Uncle Mason’s face went white.
The screen wasn’t done.
A phone recording played clearly.
“That poisonous bitch, what does she have besides money? If it wasn’t for the company, I wouldn’t bother touching her.”
“Really thinks she’s some kind of socialite? She’s nothing but an ATM I’ve got wrapped around my finger!”
Every sentence was him insulting Mom.
It wasn’t over…
