Chapter 4

My father recovered quickly and was able to get out of bed and walk around after three days.

The doctor said this was the fastest recovering heart surgery patient he had ever seen, and the private medical team's skills were truly exceptional.

"Michael, I want to go back to the factory," the father said.

"Dad, you've just been discharged from the hospital, please rest for a few more days."

"No, the factory is getting investment for expansion, I have to keep an eye on it." The father was in good spirits. "Besides, I want to see the workers; they must be very worried about me."

I nodded.

What my father worried about most in his life was his factory and his workers.

"Then I'll go with you."

"No need, you have your own things to take care of." My father gave me a meaningful look. "Have you thought about what to do about Jessica?"

"I've made up my mind."

The father nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He understands me and knows that once I make a decision, I won't change it.

After sending my father back to the factory, I returned home.

Jessica was sitting on the sofa making a phone call, her voice sounding excited.

"Mom, don't worry, Michael now understands our value. The Carson family's investment is absolutely no problem... Yes, I've already mentioned it to him, and he's very interested..."

I stood at the door listening to her lies.

She told her mother, "I have agreed to invest in the beauty clinic?"

"...At least a million dollars in investment, Mom, just wait and see how much money you make. And this is just the beginning; from now on, we'll be true high society..."

Jessica hung up the phone and saw me standing at the door.

"Michael, you're back." She immediately put on a smile. "I just talked to my mom, and she's very optimistic about the future of the beauty clinic."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, and I think this is indeed a good opportunity." She walked over and took my arm. "Michael, since you have such a powerful family background, why don't we make good use of it?"

use?

"How do you plan to use it?"

"First, my mom's beauty clinic needs more investment; a million dollars should be enough." She started counting on her fingers. "Then, we can buy a bigger house, preferably in an affluent area... Also, I need some jewelry and clothing befitting a Carson family housewife..."

She has already started planning how to spend the Carson family's money.

"Jessica, have you ever wondered why I've been hiding my identity all this time?"

She paused, then asked, "Why?"

"Because I want to know whether you love me as a person, or my money."

Jessica's expression changed: "Michael, that's hurtful. Of course I love you for who you are."

"Then you should ask for the money you invested in your mother back."

"What?"

"If you love me for who I am, then take back that $100,000 and prove you're not after the money."

Jessica's expression froze.

"Michael, that money has already been spent, and my mother's business really needs the funds..."

"So you still can't bear to part with it."

"It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's just that the circumstances don't allow it," she quickly explained. "Besides, you have so much money now, why should you care about that $100,000?"

Why should we care?

"Jessica, that $100,000 was meant to save my father's life."

"But your father is alright now, isn't he?" she said matter-of-factly. "And your family has contributed far more than $100,000, so..."

"So you think you did the right thing?"

"I think we should look forward." Her tone hardened. "Michael, let bygones be bygones. The focus now is on how we can use the Carson family's resources to improve our lives."

Looking at her, the last trace of warmth in my heart vanished completely.

This woman will never admit her mistakes.

"Okay, let's look ahead." I nodded. "You want a million-dollar investment, right?"

Jessica's eyes lit up: "You agree?"

"I'll think about it."

"That's wonderful!" She hugged me excitedly. "Michael, you won't regret it. My mom's beauty clinic is bound to be a success, and then we'll have a steady stream of income."

A steady stream of income?

"Besides investment, what else do you want?"

"It's all that I was talking about: the new house, jewelry, clothes..." she began excitedly, "and also, I want to quit my job and become a full-time housewife for the Carson family."

Why did you resign?

"Because my current job is beneath me," she said matter-of-factly. "I'm the wife of the Carson family heir, how can I still be doing ordinary sales work?"

Unworthy of their status?

Just a few days ago, she was mocking me for "not having the ability to make a lot of money."

Now, she's starting to feel that her job doesn't match her status.

"Jessica, don't you think you've changed too fast?"

"What's the meaning?"

"Just a few days ago, you were saying my father's factory was a run-down place and that I wasn't capable of making big money. Now you want to be the Carson family's housewife?"

Jessica blushed: "Michael, that's because I didn't know the truth. If I had known your identity earlier..."

"If you had known earlier, you wouldn't have said those things?"

"Of course not."

"So where do you think the problem lies?"

Jessica paused for a moment, then asked, "What's the problem?"

"Do you think the problem is that you don't know who I am, or are you simply a snob?"

Her face turned pale: "Michael, how could you say that to me?"

"I'm just telling the truth."

"I'm not snobbish, I'm just... just practical," she defended herself. "Everyone wants a better life, what's wrong with that?"

That's right.

The problem is that the better life she wants is built on the suffering of others.

My father almost died, and she was thinking of saving money to buy equipment for her mother.

I used the family's resources to save my father, but she was thinking about how to get more benefits from the family.

"Jessica, I'm giving you a chance."

What opportunity?

"Apologize to my father, a sincere apology. Then get the money you invested in your mother back."

"Why?"

"Only in this way can I be sure you truly understand where you went wrong."

Jessica remained silent for a long time.

"Michael, I think you're being unreasonable," she finally said. "I've already apologized, and that money is truly gone for good. Why are you holding onto this?"

Are you still clinging to the past?

"Okay, I won't dwell on the past." I nodded. "Then let's talk about the future. Jessica, I'll consider the million-dollar investment you wanted."

A smile returned to her face: "Really?"

"Really. But before that, I need to take care of a few things."

"What is it?"

"It's work-related." I stood up. "I might have to go on a business trip for a few days."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work." She was understanding. "I'll wait for you at home."

I looked at her, and I had already made my final decision.

Jessica, you want money?

I'll show you what real money power is.

But that's not for you; it's meant to be used against you.

The second phase of the game is about to begin.