: Financial Freedom

4

Susie Lowell ran her hand over the genuine leather sofa again and again, all while taunting me.

"Claire Lowell, you're so lucky today. If it weren't for me, you'd never get to enjoy such a nice sofa in a store like this."

'She had to be joking.'

"Oh?" I grunted, looking at Susie Lowell in amusement.

"My Dylan is a regular here, you know. He spends hundreds of thousands a year in this store."

"Heh, what a huge amount. You're scaring me to death."

I patted my chest in mock fear.

'If I told her I spend ten million a year in this store, I wonder if she'd faint from shock.'

"Susie, a woman like her could never afford anything in here."

Hearing Dylan Jacobs say that about me, Susie Lowell's face lit up with glee.

She waved a hand in the air. "Oh, now, don't say that. Everyone's a little vain."

'This despicable pair was deliberately trying to ruin my mood.'

'If I wanted to have any appetite for my adoptive mother's cooking tonight, I had to get away from them.'

I stood up and walked toward the entrance.

Just then, the store manager came out, holding the limited-edition handbag.

She held the bag up for me. "Ms. Lowell, would you still like this one?"

I glanced at the style. It was one I liked. Without even looking at the price, I nodded. "Wrap it up. And the other ones from before, too. Send them to the usual place."

"Of course. I'll place the order for you right away. Will you be paying by card as usual?"

I gave a calm nod. "By card."

The truth is, I achieved financial freedom long ago.

After studying abroad, I started my own design company.

I have a real talent for it, and my designs are very popular. Within a few years, I'd earned more money than I could ever spend.

I wanted to show my gratitude to my adoptive parents, so I started sending my adoptive mother a sum of money every month.

But who would have thought? As soon as I sent it, my adoptive mother would send double the amount right back.

She'd say, "I know you're a good daughter, but Mom has more money than she can spend, too."

That's right. My adoptive parents have enough money to last ten lifetimes.

When I was little, my adoptive parents weren't actually very wealthy. They ran a small business, but because they were so honest, people were always taking advantage of them.

Later, after I came along, their business gradually started to pick up.

People who did business with them came to like working with them because of their integrity.

My adoptive parents' business grew larger and larger. By the time I grew up, their business empire had expanded overseas.

My adoptive father often praised me, calling me his little lucky star.

He said my arrival was what brought their family so much fortune and prosperity.

When I returned to the Lowell family, my adoptive mother cried for three whole days. Before I left, she held my hand and told me, "Claire, you're just going back to visit. If they don't treat you well, you come right back home to me."

And just as she feared, the Lowells not only treated me poorly, but they were also full of hostility.

The store manager turned her head and saw Susie Lowell sitting on my sofa.

Her jaw dropped, and she rushed over in just a few steps.

"Ma'am, please get up. This is a designated seating area."

Susie Lowell froze for a second, then immediately cried out in displeasure.

"She can sit there, so why can't I?"

she yelled, pointing in my direction.