Chapter 1 Bankruptcy

• “Amelia, I swear, when your family’s wealth runs out, you’ll be the first one to cry,” Solaire lectured me.
• We had just finished shopping for clothes at a popular, expensive store, and now we were at another store. She couldn’t even manage the six bags I’d bought.
• I just rolled my eyes at her.
• "I'm sorry, ma'am, but do you have another card?" the cashier asked as they returned my card.
• I grabbed it roughly and irritatedly searched my wallet for a new card.
• “I’m sorry, ma’am,” the cashier said, shaking her head, and handed the card back to me.
• “What?” I replied, annoyed.
• I glanced at Sol and saw her shaking her head as she looked at me.
• “It must be an error. Maybe the banks are just undergoing system maintenance,” I said lazily. “Do you have cash?” I asked, which made her laugh softly.
• I gave her a questioning look. She shook her head.
• “Lia, your bill is $2,800. Who carries that much cash?” she said.
• She put down my purchases from earlier and took something from her bag.
• “Here,” she said and handed a card to the cashier.
• I laughed at her.
• “Sol, I told you, there’s a system main-”
• “Payment received, ma’am,” the cashier said with a smile.
• “What?” How come mine wasn’t accepted?
• "Let's go. You carry the other things you bought," Sol said and left me behind.
• “Sol!”
• That woman! She completely left me. Gosh, I hate her!
• ***
• “Wilson, what have you done?” Mommy screamed hysterically.
• I could already hear them from outside.
• “Calm down, Sasha. I can fix this!” Daddy said with a worried face.
• “Can you please stop fighting?” I said irritably.
• “Sweetheart,” Daddy was the first to greet me with a kiss.
• “Honey,” Mommy said and hugged me.
• “Can you please explain why my cards aren’t working?” They exchanged glances. “Gosh, it was so embarrassing. Sol had to pay for my purchases earlier!” I complained.
• “Daddy will fix it, sweetheart,” he smiled at me.
• He approached his suitcase and took out some money.
• “Here, $3,000. Buy what you want for dinner, okay? Your mom and I will be leaving tonight. We have a meeting with someone who can help with our business,” he said, which made me smile broadly.
• “My gosh, Wilson! Stop babying your daughter,” Mommy scolded Dad. Her gaze turned to me. “And you, Amelia. For God’s sake, you’re already 27. When are you going to mature? All you know is spending money. Why don’t you work? You should have been training long ago to help with our company!”
• “Dad! Mommy’s bullying me again!” I complained.
• They both looked stressed.
• “Oh my gosh, Wilson. We can’t rely on your daughter for the business. And it’s all your fault. Remember that!”
• “Mom, stop being overdramatic, okay?” She was being so dramatic now.
• “Are you even aware of our family’s situation, Amelia?” she shouted, losing her patience.
• “Sasha, stop!” Dad threatened her.
• “Your daughter needs to know!”
• “Can you just tell me what’s happening?” I asked irritably.
• “The house you’re sitting in, our home, our businesses, and all our assets, everything we have, will be gone!” Mommy said.
• My brows furrowed at what she was saying.
• “Our family is bankrupt, Amelia. We’re losing everything because of your father’s gambling addiction!” she shouted while crying. “Everything my parents, your grandparents, worked for will be gone in an instant,” Mommy sobbed.
• My mouth fell open at what I heard. I couldn’t believe it and looked at Daddy.
• He knelt in front of me and took my hand.
• “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m sorry, Amelia,” Dad said, almost in tears.
• I thought of my friends, our luxurious life. This is so embarrassing if we suddenly become poor! What about the designer clothes I want? And what will my friends say? Especially those who know me!
• I pulled my hand away from Dad, causing him to lose his balance.
• “How dare you, Dad!”
• “No, don’t get mad. There’s actually a way to get us out of this.”
• “Don’t push it, Wilson,” Mommy threatened.
• “What is it?” I asked with a curious face.
• Anything, as long as we don’t suffer!
• “Marry my friend.”
• “What?” I asked in disbelief.
• Friend? Does that mean he’s Dad’s age? No way!
• “He can help us. He promised that if you marry him, he’ll pay off all our debts. We will talk to him later.”
• “He’s too old for your daughter, Wilson. Are you even thinking?” Mommy opposed.
• “He’s the third richest businessman in Asia. Once he helps us, you can leave him,” Daddy persuaded me. He ignored Mommy’s comments.
• I thought about it. It would be embarrassing to live in a small house. And what about my luxuries? I wouldn’t even be able to buy my favorite bag anymore!
• “When is the wedding?” I asked.
• “As soon as possible, so he can help us right away. Tomorrow.” Dad said.