Chapter 6

I pushed harder, my voice trembling. "I'm getting old; my mind's not as sharp as it used to be. I've been holding onto that money like it's my lifeline.

"Even Ethan came by yesterday, so I know you guys are really in a tough spot.

"It breaks my heart. I always thought raising kids meant they'd look after me when I'm old. How can I live comfortably while you two are struggling?

"Jenny, please don't be mad at me, okay?"

My heartfelt "confession" finally got through to Jenny.

Her tone on the other end softened noticeably. "Mom, please. Don't say that."

It was still a bit stiff, but at least she wasn't grilling me anymore. "As long as you know better now. We're doing this for your own good, afraid you might get scammed."

Her words were so insincere that they made me sick.

But I went along with it. "Yes, I understand.

"Jenny, are you and Ethan free today? How about we meet up and have a real talk?

"I want to hand over everything I have to you two. You can help me plan how to use it for your house, and I'll follow your lead."

I threw out a huge bait Jenny couldn't possibly refuse.

"Hand over everything?" Jenny's voice shot up, barely able to hide her excitement and greed. "Mom, you really changed your mind?"

"I have, completely." I let out a long sigh, my voice heavy with the exhaustion of "seeing through it all." "Money is a worldly possession. As long as our family is happy, that's all that matters."

"That's great." Jenny was so excited that her voice practically changed pitch. "Mom, where are you? We'll come find you right now."

"No. Don't come to my house." I stopped her.

My home was my last fortress. I wasn't about to let those two monsters set foot in here again.

Besides, my plan needed a more suitable setting.

I said, "It's too cramped at home, not really a good place to talk. Let's meet at the bank instead.

"You've always wanted to know how much money I have, right? Let's go to the bank and get a printout of my transactions, so you'll know exactly what I've got.

"I'll bring all my cards, and we can count it all right there. From then on, you two handle it."

An offer like that was irresistible.

Going to the bank meant everything was out in the open, no more bluffing. That 700 thousand was practically in their hands.

Jenny didn't even hesitate. "Yes. Mom, that's a great idea.

"So, which bank are we meeting at?"

I quietly gave her the address of the bank where my salary card was from. It was the largest branch downtown.

I said, "How about 10 AM? There won't be many people then.

"We can get a VIP room and have a quiet talk."

Every move I made sent a message: today, I was about to pull off something huge, something all about the money.

Jenny agreed without hesitation. By the time she hung up, her voice was dripping with affection. "Alright, Mom, we'll see you soon. Take it easy on your way over."

As the busy signal echoed in my ear, the sorrow on my face faded away, leaving only a cold, determined resolve.

The fish had bitten. Now, it was time to pull in the net.

I didn't head straight to the bank. Instead, I made a stop at a café in Westside.

Inside, an elderly man with silver hair and a lively spirit was waiting for me, his eyes still sharp as ever.

He was my old neighbor from way back, Andrew Taylor.

Before he retired, he was a veteran cop with the city's Criminal Investigation Division.

I slid a sealed bag across the table to him. "Andrew, I need your help."

I didn't say much. I only told him I suspected my son-in-law might be caught up in a nasty financial scam.

Inside the bag were all the documents for Expanse Trade, along with copies of Ethan and Jenny's IDs.

Andrew opened the bag and glanced inside. His gaze sharpened in an instant.

"Shell company, executive certificates, credit card fraud," he murmured, his instincts kicking in immediately. "Luna, don't worry."

He tucked the file away and gave me a solemn look. "Leave it to me. I'll head to the station right now and get my old buddies to get to the bottom of this.

"Make sure you stay safe. And don't let them catch on."

I nodded. "Andrew, relax. I've got everything under control."

I wasn't about to tip them off. When the time came, I'd hit them like a thunderbolt.

After leaving the café, I glanced at my watch. It was 9:30 AM.

Time to pay a visit to my oh-so-devoted daughter and her husband.