Chapter 21: Love–Struck, But Broke
The meeting was set for the afternoon, so Lily didn’t need to rush. She leisurely ate breakfast – or rather, brunch, since it was almost eleven. Even so, she wasn’t the last one up; that honor belonged to Amy.
Amy, yawning dramatically, slumped into her chair at the dining table. The housekeeper efficiently placed her plate – a breakfast sandwich and some sausage. Amy downed half a glass of milk before taking a massive bite of the sandwich, her cheeks bulging. She pointedly ignored Lily. Before heading downstairs, Amy received a message from Linda. Linda offered some polite concern, then added that she didn’t think Lily was a bad person…
Amy, who had felt a pang of sympathy for Lily after yesterday’s events, instantly changed her mind.
She almost fell for it!*
That woman was playing her! This whole thing made her look magnanimous and boosted her standing with her father. Now everyone thinks she’s a saint!
Amy decided she wouldn’t be swayed by any sugar–coated bullets. She had to hold firm! “Butler, deposit a million dollars into my account. I’m going shopping today,” Amy announced.“C–brand just released a new line, and Dad said he won’t skimp on my clothes. He’ll definitely approve of this.”
The last part was purely for Lily’s benefit. Amy would never have explained herself like that before. Dad agreed to limit her allowance, but he wouldn’t dare stop her from buying clothes! After all, she was his precious daughter!
Bolstered by this thought, Amy glared at Lily
Lily and let out a little huff.
The butler dared not comply. Before, without a mistress, it was one thing, but now, Mr. Janson ⚫ had explicitly stated that the wife had final say on everything in the house, including the
children’s upbringing!
“Butler, give her my card,” Lily said calmly.“Anything she wants, put it on my account.” Amy couldn’t contain herself.“Why?!” she demanded, turning on Lily.
Lily, calmly stirring her soup, didn’t look up.“Buy whatever you want. No limits. Is there a problem?”
Amy pursed her lips. She wanted a *million* dollars!
“Aren’t you
afraid I’ll max it out?”
“You won’t. Do you think you can bankrupt your father in a single day?” Lily set down her spoon, a playful glint in her eye. The implication was clear: Go ahead and spend recklessly, it’s your dad’s
money.
“Or is someone planning to falsify the accounts, and the million isn’t actually for clothes…?” Lily’s Woice trailed off, laced with teasing sarcasm.
Amy felt like she was being ridiculed, but Lily was just goading her. If she truly wanted to insult Amy, she wouldn’t have used such a playful tone.
Amy fell silent. Lily had guessed correctly: she intended to use the money for something else entirely!
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¡Chapter 21: Love–Struck, But Broke
“This house is the Janson family’s! You don’t get to call the shots! My dad and I do!” Amy stormed upstairs, then paused halfway, turning back to glare at the butler.“Traitor!” Watching the young missy stomp away, the butler rubbed his nose. He was merely acknowledging the new pecking order!
The moment Amy mentioned a million dollars, Lily knew what her daughter was up to. She was going to pay back Hanson!
Lily had already learned about Hanson. He was a brilliant student, a skilled basketball player, but he was aloof and unsociable, with strikingly handsome features. Many girls liked him. A month ago, Hanson’s father had caused a scene at school, revealing Hanson’s impoverished background: a gambling–addicted father and a mother working in a factory to make ends meet. Hanson had been recruited to this high school based on his exceptional middle school grades, with tuition and other fees covered. So his life wasn’t actually that hard. His father’s outburst, however, gave those who disliked him a reason to taunt and bully him, disrupting his previously peaceful school life. While there wasn’t outright violence, the emotional abuse was significant.
Amy, learning about this abroad, was heartbroken and planned to buy Hanson a sports car, claiming he’d earned the money through stock trading. But before she could do so, she ended up losing her own allowance.
The thugs from the Lucky Restaurant were demanding 950,000 from Hanson. It was clear what Amy wanted the million for.
Lily didn’t care about the million itself. If it truly helped a struggling kid, she would gladly part with it. The question was, “was* this kid worthy of help?
Amy cared deeply for Hanson, but he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, often acting cold and istant. Their interaction was mostly Amy’s one–sided devotion. Hanson seemed “unaware,” “coerced,” and “unwilling,” yet Amy had solved many problems for him. It seemed natural, but Lily sensed something amiss.
You can’t judge a book by its cover, she thought. She needed to observe the situation closely. And to do that, she needed to control Amy’s access to money. Without Amy’s help, how would Hanson handle his problems? Lily would watch and see.
Skyscrapers pierced the sky, the bustling city spread out beneath. This was the heart of San Francisco’s commercial district, dominated by the
the J&J Corporation building.
Lily sat in a tea house, its pastoral style a charming contrast to the modern cityscape, checking messages from the butler. He said Amy had left about ten minutes ago.
Lily sighed. She knew Amy was going to see Hanson.
*Teenage girls and their romances!* Lily mused. She wouldn’t challenge her daughter’s rebellious streak directly. Instead, she’d guide her to see the truth, to learn to choose wisely and find the essence of things.
Lost in thought, Lily didn’t notice Andy approach until he sat down. She smiled brightly.“You’re here!”
“Mm,” Andy responded curtly. Undeterred, Lily continued to beam.“I didn’t order for you, sweetie. What would you like?” Whether he accepted it or not, Lily would call herself his mother. Someone had to take the initiative to improve their relationship, and she, as the mother, would take the lead!
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Chapter 21: Love–Struck, But Broke
Just warm water,” he said. Andy didn’t like tea.
Andy remembers Mom loves tea, that’s why I chose this place, right? I’m so happy, thank you, Andy!” Lily didn’t drink coffee or other beverages; she preferred tea – jasmine, Longjing, Da Hong Pao, all of them.
Andy fidgeted with his cup, feeling slightly awkward under her overt affection. Lily was very expressive; happy she laughed, sad she cried, and she always stated her preferences openly. As now, her happiness was palpable. A more introverted person would silently appreciate Andy’s action, but Lily expressed her joy openly.
“You’re welcome,” Andy mumbled. Seeing the bright joy in Lily’s eyes, he couldn’t help but smile slightly. He hadn’t done anything remarkable…
Lily’s affirmation gave Andy a sense of “being cherished,” the kind of unconditional love where his mother would be proud of him regardless of his actions–something he’d never experienced in his fifteen years. His memories of his mother became clearer.
So, what he was about to do… was it right? Andy looked up.
Shall we go see J&J Corporation?”
