Chapter 2
At the time, as industries were shifting from old to new growth drivers, Jason's factory was steadily falling behind in the tide of the times.
I was desperate to find a way to save the factory, grasping at every thread of influence my father left behind.
My pregnant belly ached faintly, but no one cared about me except Martha.
After discovering Jason's infidelity, I went up the mountain to my father's grave to pour out my grief in tears.
I accidentally fell down the mountain and barely managed to grab a branch. When Anna discovered me, she forced me to let go, causing me to roll down the mountainside.
She also concealed my whereabouts.
If Martha hadn't taken pity on me and followed me up the mountain, I would have died from excessive blood loss.
When I later asked Anna why she did that, I could never forget the sinister look in her eyes.
She said, "If you die, Rosa can be our mother."
Anna's words became the last straw.
It also solidified my resolve to leave the Dorsey family.
Even Anna, whom I poured my heart into raising, sided with Rosa. There was no reason for me to stay.
Looking back now, leaving that family of ingrates was clearly the right decision.
"Don't try to change the subject," Anna shouted at me, showing no guilt. "I'm asking about the inheritance. What happened to all of it?"
Anna had become ruthless under the Dorsey family's influence, driven only by profit.
Spoiled by Rosa and Jason, she became increasingly unruly.
I stared into her greedy eyes and asked with a smile, "What right do you have to ask me?
"What my father left behind is, of course, mine to do with as I please. Why should I tell you?
"You don't acknowledge me as your mother, but you still covet my inheritance?
"Didn't you come today to invite me back? Why are you now harping on my assets then?
"If that's what you're after, get out of my house immediately."
I threw the clothes I was holding onto the bed, deliberately acting furious.
Anna glared at me, walked out reluctantly, then quickly stopped short and came back.
She said, "There are too many scammers now. I was afraid you'd be scammed. Is this all the thanks I get? Can't believe I want to be nice to you."
The last bit of affection I had for her was shattered by her words.
As Anna's mother, I repeatedly held out hope for her. But all I got in return was being repeatedly wounded.
Family like her should have been disowned long ago.
I coldly packed my things and followed her back to Edowell City.
My father's inheritance had long been gone. Even if it hadn't been, I would never give it to the Dorsey family.
Jason only discovered my father was a secret billionaire after divorcing me, which was ten years ago.
After learning I had inherited my father's inheritance, he shamelessly sought reconciliation with me.
His true intentions were obvious.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, I hid in a small village in the mountains.
There, I met two brothers who had dropped out of middle school due to lack of money.
The younger brother had fallen gravely ill. The older brother had no choice but to use his frail body to earn a meager wage in a brick factory, doing exhausting and messy work.
I felt sympathy for them when I saw them.
I didn't hesitate and immediately took them out of the village.
I changed their names to Colin and Kyle Sawyer, hoping they'd grow up successful and wise.
To treat Kyle's illness, I spent most of my savings.
Fortunately, both of them made me proud, striving for first place in both their studies and work.
When Colin was at university, he founded his own company, but it was held back by funding issues.
When I learned about this, I sold all the inheritance my father left behind, just to help Colin fulfill his dream.
I had already come to regard them as my sons over the years.
For my own children, I would do anything.
After Colin and Kyle learned about this, they started calling me "Mom".
I didn't expect anything in return when I helped them.
But the two boys made a name for themselves. Colin's business empire continued to expand, making him a rising star in the business world.
Meanwhile, Kyle became an internationally renowned jewelry designer, a shining new talent in the design world.
They always tried to make me happy.
Whenever they had time, they would come back to accompany me, constantly calling me "Mom".
They were far more thoughtful than my two daughters.
Both of them are on business trips abroad now, so they won't return to find me gone and start worrying.
But before I left, I sent them a message.
I was not worried about Colin, but Kyle, who was domineering.
They knew about my past. If Kyle found out I had returned to the Dorsey family and didn't tell him, he'd kick up a big fuss.
Even though Kyle was now a grown up, he still threw tantrums.
*****
When Anna and I reached Edowell City, it was just in time for Martha's 80th birthday.
The Dorsey family threw a very grand birthday party for her.
I hadn't had a chance to see Martha yet when I ran into Jason and Rosa, literally.
I stumbled, clutching the wall to steady myself.
Jason steadied Rosa. He was about to scold me, but when he recognized me, he put on an unapproachable demeanor.
My eldest daughter, Emily Dorsey, hurried over, cradling her pregnant belly.
She stood in front of me and grumbled bad-temperedly, "Now that you're back, don't leave. Don't disgrace the Dorsey family.
"I'm already married. If my in-laws find out you don't even have a job, they'll look down on me.
"Moreover, the Dorsey family is now powerful, and Dad is the chairman of the Dorsey Group."
I found it amusing.
A company with factories that had been bleeding money for years, slashing jobs after throwing cash into dead-end investments—did they think that was what made them powerful?
How ignorant.