"The game company will sometimes not only issue a full refund but also offer extra compensation just to settle the matter and protect their reputation."

"Compensation?" Myra's breathing quickened.

I nodded and said confidently, "That's right. Given that this matter involves a minor, the public pressure would be intense. By then, we might even get back more than a million dollars."

Myra's eyes suddenly lit up, greed swiftly overriding her hesitation and unease.

"You're right!" She quickly pulled out her phone. "I'll call Dwight right now! That kid has gone too far. How could he secretly top up so much money?"

Even as she spoke, she had already dialed the number. She turned and walked toward the balcony, deliberately closing the door behind her.

Through the glass, I eavesdropped on her phone call.

"Dwight, it's me. That idiot Glenn blew a million on game top-ups. But there's a way to get it back—maybe even more." She paused briefly. "Right, you just stick to the story and say it was you who secretly topped up.

"What's there to worry about? With me handling things, that idiot Glenn won't suspect a thing. Seriously, the money he earns is rightfully ours anyway. Once we get this refund, you'll have more than enough for the down payment on your apartment.

"I'll even chip in some extra. Trust me, Glenn's easy to manipulate. He's been drinking that soup of mine for so long, his head's practically foggy these days."

She even let out a couple of smug laughs as she spoke.

I sat in front of my computer, the glow of the screen washing over my face. A cold, slow smile crept across my lips.

Just as I thought, Myra couldn't even bother keeping up the act around me till the end.

Now that she had taken the bait, the plan was finally in motion.

The next afternoon, Dwight swaggered in. He was only 17 years old, but his face was already full of the arrogance that came with being spoiled.

"Glenn, I heard from Myra that you've got trouble with that lousy game account of yours," he said flippantly. "Hurry up and give me the account and password. I'll handle it for you. Let's get that money back so you don't have to mess around yourself."

Myra, standing nearby, didn't stop him. Instead, she smiled and handed him an ice-cold soda.

"Dwight's right. You don't understand these things, so it's best to rely on him. Hurry up and give him the account."

I pushed down the cold, bitter irony rising in my chest.

How could I have been so blind in my previous life to believe this family actually wanted to build a future with me? To them, all my hard-earned money probably belonged to Dwight from the start.

"Okay. Sorry to trouble you," I said, obediently taking out the account and password I had prepared in advance. "Just log in and follow what the customer service says."

After eagerly snatching the note, Dwight opened my computer and logged into the game.

When Dwight saw the magnificent login screen, the top-tier server outfits and mount effects, and the blinding exclusive title and halo unlocked by that million-dollar top-up, his eyes instantly widened, and his breathing grew heavy.

"Glenn, your account is amazing!" He swallowed hard, his finger sliding excitedly over the mouse.

"If you like it, play more," I said from behind me, my tone calm and encouraging. "We're appealing for a refund anyway, so it's a good chance for you to get a feel for it. Play a little more immersively. That way, it'll look more realistic to the customer service too."

Dwight just grunted vaguely in response without looking back.

Over the next few days, Dwight practically moved into my place.

At first, he just wandered around, trying out the top-tier skins and mounts he could never afford. But soon, he started spending recklessly.

"Myra, transfer me some money. This equipment enhancement double-success-rate event ends today. I've got to get it!" he shouted toward the kitchen, not even turning his head.

Myra came out, wiping her hands. "Dwight, aren't we supposed to be appealing for a refund? Why are you still putting money in?" she asked hesitantly.

"What do you know?" Dwight snapped impatiently. "This is an investment. If I make the account even more badass, it'll be more convincing when we appeal. How do you know the customer service won't log in to check? Hurry up! I'm 300 dollars short."

Myra glanced at me. I wore a helpless, restrained expression. "Let's listen to Dwight. Maybe he has a point."

Myra gritted her teeth and took out her phone to transfer the money.

After the first time came the second, and the third.

"Myra, look at this new divine beast mount. It's a server-wide limited release. With this, the account's value doubles!"

"Myra, I got camped in the arena. I need to buy materials for top-tier potions."

"Myra, there's a guild war. I need to hand out money to boost morale!"

The excuses varied wildly, and the amounts went from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

At first, Myra would ask a few questions, but later she mechanically transferred the money. The balance in her banking app was dropping steeply. In there was over 80% of my salary and bonuses from the past few years.

I watched coldly from the sidelines as she transferred large sums without blinking for Dwight's sake. Yet, she wouldn't even let me buy a decent piece of clothing for myself.

In less than a week, Dwight was slamming his mouse again, the sound loud and jarring.

"I failed again! It's all this stupid enhancement rate's fault. Myra, transfer me another five thousand dollars. I refuse to believe I won't succeed!"

Myra held her phone, finger hovering over the screen.

"Dwight, it's all gone. There's only a few hundred dollars in the card."

"What?" Dwight whipped his head around, eyes bloodshot. "It's all gone? All that money?"

"I transferred it all to you," Myra said in a trembling voice, on the verge of tears. "Look at the transaction history yourself."

Only then did Dwight panic. He frantically scrolled through the phone, and as he saw the dense list of expenses, his face grew paler and paler.

It finally dawned on him that not only had he failed to get the money back, but he had also burned through nearly all of Myra's savings.

"W-What do we do now? The refund appeal—" His voice grew weak.

"Right! The refund! Dwight, hurry and contact the customer service. Tell them you're a minor and demand a full refund, including all the money you put in later," Myra urged him anxiously, as if clinging to the one chance they couldn't afford to lose.

Dwight fumbled to log into the appeal page, but when he saw the complicated documents required, he instantly broke out in cold sweat.

He filled out the form haltingly, growing more panicked with each entry. The more he wrote, the more glaring the holes in their story seemed to become.

"Myra, my stomach suddenly hurts really bad!" He suddenly clutched his stomach, groaning and curling up in his chair.

Myra was frantic, spinning around before sharply turning to glare at me, her eyes filled with misplaced blame and resentment.

"This is all your fault, Glenn! If you hadn't recklessly spent that million dollars in the first place, Dwight wouldn't be like this now. Now all the money is gone, Dwight is sick, and we can barely even afford to take him to a doctor! You useless man! You jinx!"

She screamed hoarsely, as if every bit of this disaster was my doing alone.

I laughed at the absurdity of it all.

"The money's gone?" I asked softly, walking over to the landline phone. "Who says it is?"

Under Myra's stunned, uncertain gaze, I picked up the receiver and dialed three numbers with practiced ease.

"Hello, 911?" My voice was clear, calm, and even carrying a hint of relief. "I'd like to report a crime. Someone has stolen my identity and payment passwords to make malicious, large top-ups on my game account.

"The cumulative amount is substantial and constitutes a serious violation of my property rights. The suspect is currently in my home. Please send officers as soon as possible."