I sold the company and got $100,000,000 in assets. I was all set to head home and enjoy an easy life. So, I called my mom and said I was coming back.

She asked why I wasn’t at work. I joked, claiming I’d gone bankrupt and was coming home to live off my parents. But they took it seriously.

——

That day, I planned to surprise them when I got home, but as soon as I reached the door, I overheard my sister-in-law's voice.

“I don’t care if she’s unemployed; she can’t come back to drag our family down!” she was saying. “And by the way, the house and car are all in her registered ownership. You need to get those changed immediately! I’ve been saying for ages, how could a girl handle such a big family business? You should’ve gotten more money out of her while you could. Now she’s bankrupt!”

Her voice was so loud that even with the door between us, I could hear every word.

“Mom, forget everything else. We must get those two houses she bought. One’s in a great school district, and our son is about to start school!” My brother’s voice cut through the noise.

“I know, don’t worry,” my mom replied. “Everything she bought for the family; she’s not taking with her!”

My mother’s words made my heart sink. I felt a chill run through me. I had been planning to share the news that I’d made $100,000,000 as a surprise for them. On my way back, I even thought about giving the two houses I bought to my brother and buying a villa for my parents.

But now, I felt like a fool.

Inside, they kept discussing how to deal with me, completely unaware I could hear them. “She’s bankrupt now, we can’t let her off easy. When the time comes, find someone to marry her off. We can still make some money!” My sister-in-law’s words hit me hard.

They had no idea how it felt to stand there, listening to them plot against me.

Over the years, I knew my parents favored my brother. My mom always told me how tough life my brother has and how much he sacrificed to in my growth. She had guilted me into taking care of him, and I’d always believed he had it rough.

But who could have imagined they’d turn on me like this?

“Back then, I adopted her with the intention of raising her and selling her for a marriage at a good price. It’s just that she earned a lot over the years, so I dropped the idea!” my mom’s voice continued.

That one sentence shocked me. So, I’m not even their biological child.

They were discussing how to plot against me, so I waited until they were done before I knocked.

When my mom, Helen, opened the door and saw me, her face showed surprise mixed with a bit of unease.

“Bella, when did you get back?” she asked, still looking a little nervous. I knew she was worried I might’ve overheard what she and my sister-in-law, Kate, were saying.

“Just now,” I replied as I walked in. “The company went bankrupt, and I’m deep in debt, so I figured I’d come back home.”

The mood in the room instantly soured. They probably assumed that even if my company went under, I’d still have some money left. But now, it seemed like not only did I lose the business, but I also owed a lot.

Kate jumped in, “You’re back, but there’s no space for you here! And your bankruptcy has nothing to do with us. These two set of houses were left to us by our parents; they’ve got nothing to do with you!”

I just smiled and said, “I bought these two sets of houses, and they’re in my name. So, how could they have nothing to do with me? I’m actually here to sell them to pay off my debt.”

The atmosphere in the room began to intensify after I said that.

“I don’t care, Mom. This house is reserved for your grandson’s school enrollment; those who live in a school district have rights to get their children enrolled,” Kate shouted.

“Bella, this house was meant for your nephew’s schooling,” my brother, Howard, chimed in. “Plus, you lost all that money; how can you think about selling our house?”

I looked at him and asked, “I bought this house with my own money, didn’t I?”

“What do you mean ‘your money’? I raised you all these years, so shouldn’t you contribute something?” my mom snapped. “How can you be so selfish? This house belongs to your brother now, don’t you get it?”

“I won’t sell this one for now, but what about the other house?” I said, “I’m really deep in debt, and I need to sell it.”

They all looked shocked.

“That other house was my dowry when I got married,” my sister-in-law blurted out. “Besides, my parents are living there—are you going to make them move out?”

“When did I ever say that house was your dowry?” I asked, my expression turning cold.

There were two houses—my mom had asked me to buy them. I originally planned to keep one for myself and give the other to my brother. But when I wasn’t around, they had already moved my sister-in-law’s parents into my house.

“Bella, your brother has had a tough time,” my mom said. “You should help him and his wife out. Just give them the house!”

I looked at my mom. Even though I’d known for a long time that she was scheming against me, hearing her say those words still made my heart sink.

“And you owe money, but our family isn’t responsible for paying off your debts. If you have any self-respect left, go handle it on your own. Don’t drag us down with you!” My sister-in-law’s words felt like a slap in the face.

Before I told my mom about the bankruptcy, she always acted like she cared so much whenever I visited. She’d ask about my life, and I’d always bring gifts and cosmetics for her, not to mention the money I sent my brother. Now, looking back, it all seems ridiculous.

“Bella you’re an adult now,” my mom said with a sigh. “You got yourself into this mess, so you need to deal with it. We can’t help you. You should just go.”

My brother didn’t waste any time. He grabbed my suitcase, threw it outside, and said, “Bella, you need to leave now!” Then he shoved me out the door, slamming it shut behind me.

Standing on the doorstep, I felt a chill deep in my heart. I never expected my brother would actually kick me out. But if that’s how they want it, then I won’t be polite either.

I took my luggage and found a hotel to stay in. The next day, I contacted a lawyer. Since both properties are in my registered ownership and the transfers haven’t been completed, reclaiming my houses should be straightforward.

I also dug through old chat records with my brother. Every time he asked for money, he’d always say he wanted to borrow some. It was his go-to line. Of course, he never paid any of it back. But now, that line would be working in my favor.

Going through the chats, I calculated that just from his “borrowing,” he owes me over 600,000 dollars! And that doesn’t even include all the money I’ve given to their family.

With all this evidence, I handed everything over to my lawyer. My only goal was to get back what’s rightfully mine. At the same time, I hired a private detector because my mom had said I wasn’t her biological child. Naturally, I wanted to find out the truth.

I also bought a villa in Rosewood Manor, the most exclusive neighborhood in the city. I moved in with my luggage and started enjoying a laid-back life.

One day, my mom called me out of the blue.

“Anabella, what’s the meaning of this? Are you seriously suing your brother, Howard?” Her voice was filled with anger. “You want to take those two houses and make him pay back over 600,000 dollars?”

“Why shouldn’t he pay it back? He borrowed the money, didn’t he?” I replied calmly. “Since you kicked me out, I’m not going to indulge you anymore.”

“Anabella, that’s your brother, Howard! How can you be so heartless and cruel?” she snapped.

“Am I your mother? Are you going to throw me out?” she demanded.

“No, you’re not my mother,” I said with a smile. “Mrs. Chen, you made it clear when you kicked me out—I’m not your daughter anymore. My debts have nothing to do with you, so if Howard owes me money, it’s none of your business.”

“You ungrateful girl! Do you really think you can get away with this? I’m your mother!” she yelled. “As long as I’m around, your money should go to me. I’ve already said it—your brother doesn’t need to repay that money, and those two houses are his! Not only that, but you also have to support me. I’ll tell your brother, and we’ll sue you!”

“Go ahead and sue me,” I replied, not backing down.

“Just wait until your brother finds you—you will be doomed!” she threatened, her voice full of fury.

I couldn’t listen to anymore, so I hung up the phone.