21
21
Mrs. Mason grabbed Qiana’s shirt and shoved her head into a fountain.
The gentle stream of water was surprisingly distressing as it filled her airways.
She coughed, sputtering water, more filling her lungs with each gasp.
After a moment, Mrs. Mason dragged her out.
“How does it feel? Do you understand Lanie’s desperation? She could have lived, but she was powerless!*
Mrs. Mason tossed Qiana aside, brushing off her hands.
“Ethan, Mason. Who’s the idiot who thought making someone jealous would make her realize her feelings? No wonder Lanie chose Zoe Jackson in Miami, not you two.”
This time, Mrs. Mason wasn’t defending her son.
Mrs. Song nodded in agreement.
You
two really messed up. Lanie’s already married. Stop bothering her.”
Ethan’s gaze dropped, his emotions flickering, but he remained silent.
Mason bit his lip, stubbornly refusing to yield.
They weren’t the type to give up easily; that’s what had brought them success.
Their competitiveness in business, their relentless drive in racing, proved their stubborn nature.
Mrs. Song and Mrs. Mason exchanged weary glances.
They knew their sons‘ stubbornness; they couldn’t force them to change.
After the mothers left, Ethan had Qiana’s belongings thrown out.
She was left on the street, her luggage scattered around her.
A city worker approached, waving her away.
“No loitering or sleeping here. Move along.”
The word “loitering” struck Qiana hard.
She’d never imagined ending up like this.
Her belongings looked like a pile of trash.
Her face flushed, then paled.
She kicked a suitcase, the contents rattling, highlighting its cheapness.
Her phone rang.
For a moment, she thought it was Ethan or Mason, regretting their actions.
She answered, but it wasn’t them.
Broken Mandarin, interspersed with dialect, crackled through the phone.
“Finally reached you! Who gave you the right to take all that money? We heard you made a lot. It’s time to pay us back!”
Her father’s voice was menacing.
If he were there, he’d likely beat her.
She hung up, terrified.
“How did they find me so quickly?”
She tried to gather her things but remembered she’d already moved out of her apartment, and the Riverview Mansion was no longer an option.
She had nowhere to go!
She collapsed onto the pavement, despairing.
The city worker returned, frowning.
You’re blocking the sidewalk. Please leave!”
