Chapter 3

After dinner, Isabelle couldn't hold back anymore. She dragged me upstairs to the master bedroom, wanting to get to the bottom of things.

We had barely stepped inside when Charles followed us in.

Isabelle looked totally baffled. "Mom, didn't you say Eric's family was way too complicated, and you didn't want me with him? Why are you suddenly okay with us being together?"

Charles was just as confused. "Yeah, didn't you say Jessie's background was shady, and you didn't want me dating her? So what's going on now?"

I looked at them and answered their confused faces.

"Isn't this what you wanted? I've thought it through. For my dear daughter and son, I'm willing to put aside my old views and give you my blessing.

"Honestly, money comes and goes, but true love is hard to find. Love conquers all, and I don't want you two to spend your lives full of regret."

Isabelle's worries melted away. She hugged me tight and spun me around, beaming. "Mom, you're the best."

Charles' eyes shimmered with emotion, and for once, he opened his arms to hug me.

Honestly, I couldn't care less. I was itching to give these two love-crazed fools a reality check right then and there.

Deep down, I knew I was a damn good mother in my last life.

My husband died young, and I raised my two children all by myself, working my fingers to the bone.

I started out selling women's clothes from a street stall, and now, I run one of the top women's fashion companies in the country. For over a decade, no one ever saw the hell I went through.

I was always terrified my children would suffer because of our broken family, so I denied myself everything just to give them the best. And in the end, these two spoiled, love-crazed ingrates ended up stabbing me in the back.

Just thinking about it, I couldn't help but look forward to seeing what kind of wild ride their lives would be this time around.

That night, I let them all stay over. They tried to refuse at first, but eventually gave in.

The two couples spent a steamy, romantic night in their own rooms.

The next day, I even suggested we check out my company together.

The brand-new headquarters was seriously grand. Even though it was the holiday, plenty of security guards were still on duty, and they greeted us with big smiles as we walked in.

Eric and Jessica were absolutely dazzled by the whole spectacle, their eyes wide and stunned.

They'd always known the Chapmans were rich, but I'd never let them experience it firsthand until now.

I smirked to myself, hoping they would feast their eyes and make sure they remember every detail.

Once they've had a taste of this outrageous luxury and start thinking it was theirs, losing it would hurt more than anything.

After all, it wasn't until I was on my deathbed in my last life that I found out these two were the ones who came up with the idea to pull the plug on me.

Turned out, Eric and Jessie managed to hook up with Isabelle and Charles again at some point. Worried I'd keep interfering in their messy affairs, they talked my children into pulling the plug on me themselves.

After I was gone, both couples kept sneaking around behind everyone's back and ended up taking everything I'd worked so hard for.

After the company tour, I made up an excuse about urgent overseas business and told them to go have fun on their own.

Once they left, I called my secretary and gave her detailed instructions for my next steps.

She was totally shocked, but she did exactly what I asked.

Once everything was set, I headed home. On the way, my phone rang.

"Mom, now that you're okay with Jessie and me being together, her family wants us to get the ball rolling on the wedding. I've set up a meeting for tomorrow at Fortune House. Is that alright with you?" Charles asked.

I replied, all smiles, "Of course. That's wonderful. I've been hoping you two would settle down and start your own lives soon."

The faster they dug their own graves, the happier I'd be.