Chapter 7

"Thanks for checking in," Jessica said. "But I don't need any money. If you really want to help, maybe you could find out if the city has any competition prep classes for kids like me. I'm planning to join the math olympiad next year."

There was a two-second pause on the other end. Clearly, my response wasn't what he'd expected.

In his mind, a sixteen-year-old orphan getting a call from some rich guy offering "help" should be falling all over herself, thanking him, maybe even crying from happiness.

But I kept my cool, maybe even sounded a little cold.

"Alright,"…