“What?
Do you want me to hit you again?” Billy roared.
“You can beat me to death but I will not give you a single cent.”
“You… You damned girl!
You’re trying to anger me and give me a heart attack, aren’t you?
I don’t care.
You’re going to give us the money whether you like it or not!” Billy pointed at Pearl and scolded.
Tears of indignation swelled in Pearl’s eyes as she shouted back at him, “You’ve always favored him just because he’s a boy!
You give him the best you can afford, while I have to make my own money to pay for my university fees.
What have you done for me?
“He wants to go to university, but we can’t afford it?
Fine, I’ll borrow the money for him and slowly return it by saving as much as possible from what I earn.
I spend as little as possible on myself.
Do you know what kind of life I’ve been living?
I’ve even fainted at work from malnutrition!
“My work only got better afterward, and I only kept a small portion of my earnings for living expenses.
I sent everything back home to you, so what more do you want from me?”
“And you, brat!
What did you even learn in university, huh?
You have shown not an ounce of gratitude, and now you want five million dollars from me?
What do you take me for, an ATM?
Let me make myself clear t o you right now, I will not give you guys a single cent anymore from now on.”
Pearl had kept this bottled up inside for too long.
She had never been recognized as a person of value at home no matter how well she performed, all because she was born a girl instead of a boy.
It did not matter if she scored first place in every exam, as her parents would never spare her any praise or recognition.
Sam, however, was showered with their parents’ love and care, no matter how much trouble he caused.
All he had to do was tell on her, and she would be beaten immediately.
When she got into university, she almost had to drop out because her parents were not willing to pay for it.
They said that ladies did not need to study because they were going to be married off anyway, so she might as well start working to help feed the family.
Had it not been for her teacher’s sponsorship and her part-time job, she might not have been able to graduate in the end.
Now her parents have come to ask her for five million dollars for her brother’s wedding.
Where was she going to get the five million from?
She might have gotten a promotion, but David never said anything about a pay raise!
Pearl’s sudden outburst silenced everyone present.
Especially Leigh and Billy, for their usually obedient daughter had suddenly talked back at them.
They were too stunned to speak for a moment.
“I don’t care!
We’re not going to leave this place until you give us the money!” Leigh said shamelessly.
“If that’s the case, then I might as well tell you the truth.
My boss took pity on me, that’s why he let me stay here.
Do you know how much money this house costs?”
Pearl did not wait for them to guess before she told them the answer.
“Four hundred million.”
‘Four hundred million?
‘Oh my God!
They did not have a grasp on how much four hundred million was, but it should be enough to buy an entire street in their town.
They even refused to believe it when Sam said that the house Pearl lived in costs at least fifty million.
There’s no way a house can cost so much!
Only now did they realize that fifty million was much too little.
“Do you know how much four hundred million is?
Anything in this house is enough to buy an entire house back home!”
“If you’re not going to leave, then I will!
Just don’t blame me when the security guards come here and start seizing you people for burglary.
Breaking and entering into an area as high class as this one can land you around ten years in jail, you know.”
Pearl turned to leave once she finished speaking.
“Stop right there!
How dare you rebel against us, you damned girl!” Billy stood up to hit Pearl, only to be held back by Leigh.
“Dad!
Ever since I was young, you’ve never referred to me as anything other than “damned girl”, you know.
I am your daughter!
Yet I mean less to you than those beggars outside,” Pearl said with tears in her eyes.
Sam was also shocked.
He originally thought that as long as he called his parents over, Pearl would end up giving him anything he wanted.
That was how things always have been, after all, but things did not go according to plan this time.
“Pearl, we…”
“Shut up!
I know what you’re planning.
You called mom and dad over so that I would cave under their pressure, didn’t you?
How old are you this year, huh?
Can’t you make your own money to pay for your own marriage?”
Pearl then ignored them and walked toward the door.
The others in the room immediately stood up to follow her.
They were not from the city and there was no one they could turn to for help should they get thrown in jail for ten years.
Just as Pearl arrived at the doorway, the main doors opened from the outside.
It was already dark by the time David arrived at River City.
He would have arrived way earlier had he not been held up on the road.
Exhausted, he returned to the South River International Residence and opened the doors to his home.
Only for him to see Pearl with reddened eyes about to leave.
“Huh?
Miss Pearl?
What’s wrong?
Are you going out?”
Then he spotted the people standing behind Pearl.
“Who are they?” Pearl felt her chest tighten when she saw David.
‘Didn’t he go home for the holidays?
Why’s he back so soon?
And now of all times too.’
“My apologies, Mr.
Lidell.
These people are my family members.
They came over to visit me from home, so I thought I’d bring them here to sit down.
I’ll show them out right away.” Pearl replied nervously.
Anyone would be upset to know that random people had come into their four-hundred-million-dollar house while they were out.
“Where are you going so late at night?
There are plenty of rooms here, why not just stay the night?” David asked.
Pearl had overthought the seriousness of the issue.
Houses were meant to be lived in anyway.
There were many rooms in this house, and it could most certainly house these six guests.
David did not mind housing them.
“No, no, it’s alright, Mr.
Lidell.
I already arranged hotel rooms for them, so I’ll be…”
Billy interrupted Pearl, “You must be this damned girl’s boyfriend, huh?
You’re already living together, so might as well get married as soon as possible!
We might just be an insignificant family, but there are still proper rites to perform!
We’re not asking for much, just ten million dollars, and a house and car for your brother in River City.
It doesn’t have to be too expensive, and if you can afford such an expensive house, I’m sure these requests mean nothing to you, right?”
David was stunned,
‘Damned girl?
‘Is he talking about Pearl?
‘What kind of father calls his own daughter that?
And he’s mistaking me for Pearl’s boyfriend!
‘But considering that we do live in the same house, I guess it makes sense that people think we’re living together?
‘Ah, there’s no clearing this misunderstanding, is there?
‘But ten million dollars, and a house and car in River City?
Why does it feel like he’s selling his daughter off?’
David glanced at Pearl but did not say anything.
Pearl’s chest heaved and she stared at her father with fear.
Tears fell without stopping down her face as she shouted, “Dad!
Stop with that nonsense!”
“How is that nonsense?
You’re already living together, what’s not clear here?
Who else will marry you if he doesn’t make you his wife?
How do you expect us to live with dignity back at home?” Billy refuted.
“Uh, sir?
I’m just Miss Pearl’s boss, I’m not her boyfriend,” David could not help but say.
“Boss?
What kind of boss lives with their employee?
You just don’t want to take responsibility, do you?” Billy asked.
David was rendered speechless!
Not only had the misunderstanding not been resolved, but he had also made himself a target.
Realizing that Billy was not going to listen to whatever explanation he had, David stayed silent.
“Dad!
Please just stop talking already!
Are you trying to screw me over?” Pearl shouted at Billy with tears in her eyes.
“Pearl!
Dad’s helping you here!” Sam interrupted.
He was elated now.
Now that his dad had asked his sister and brother-in-law to buy him a house and car in River City, he might actually get those things.
Not to mention that the ten million dollars would one day be his too.
Once he had a house, a car, and savings, he would not need to work at all.
Instead, he could just drive around and take in the city view.
Minnie and her parents were also excited.
If Billy’s demands were met, they would be more than happy to let their daughter marry Sam.
They would return home with pride if their son-in-law had ten million dollars as well as a house and car in River City.
Pearl looked at her parents’ and brother’s expressions.
There was not a shred of guilt at all for causing her pain and turmoil.
They were only ever here for the money.
If David happened to be broke, Pearl knew her family would do everything to get them to break up.
This was why they were so ready to “sell their daughter” and get a large sum of money from David when they realized that he was wealthy.
All they cared about was money.
As long as they had money, what happened to Pearl was not their concern.
In this instant, Pearl suddenly understood.
Ever since she was born, she had been nothing more than a method for her family to get what they wanted.
Pearl had no one to blame but herself.
She thought that family mattered most, so she only left a small portion of her earnings for herself and sent the rest back home.
It was at this moment she realized that she was just a piece of plankton in the sea, with nowhere to go and nowhere she belonged.
Her heart grew cold.
Without another word, Pearl turned and walked into the elevator.
All she wanted was to leave this place.
David could feel that something was wrong with the situation, so he quickly followed and squeezed into the elevator just as the doors were about to close.
With the two of them gone, Sam and the others shared a confused look.
They did not know what to do.
In the end, they decided to leave the house as well since it was not theirs.
Pearl’s threat worked, as they did not want to be mistaken for thieves and get thrown in jail.
….
A park in River City
David and Pearl were sitting by a river.
Pearl told David about what she had been through for over twenty years.
David listened quietly and did not speak.
“Mr.
Lidell, aren’t I stupid?
I give them whatever they want!
If I don’t have the money, I’ll just loan it from someone else and save up to pay back the loan,” Pearl asked when she had finished.
“Miss Pearl, you’re not stupid.
You’re just too sentimental!
The more you give, the more they take it for granted,” David said after pondering it.
“Perhaps!
But I’ve decided to live for myself for the next few decades after I’ve lived the first twenty years for them!”
“Miss Pearl, please invite your parents to the hotel for dinner tomorrow!
I should do a little something since they’ve come this far.
If you need money, just go to the finance department and get it. This story is hosted at g.com.
No matter what decision you make, I will support you!” said David.
“Thank you!
Mr.
Lidell!” Pearl cried as she leaned into David’s arms.
She thought David would look down on her because she had such a family, but he did not mind at all.
Little did she know that David’s parents had died when he was a child, and his life with Uncle Tres was not much better than hers.
However, he had his Aunt Diana and Aunt Sally, who doted on him.
Pearl had no one, so his heart ached for her.
She had her family’s best interests at heart but eventually found that they only used her as a tool to make money.
“Miss Pearl!
Cry all you want!
You’ll feel better crying it all out!” said David as he patted Pearl on the back.
Pearl wept in David’s arms for about half an hour before getting up.
She was embarrassed to see that the chest area of David’s clothes was wet with her tears.
“Mr.
Lidell, I’m sorry!
I wet your clothes.”
“It’s alright!
Miss Pearl, come on!
Let’s go back.”
The two returned to South River International Residence.
They soon realized Sam and the rest had left.
“Mr.
Lidell, I’ll go find them!” Pearl wanted to leave after finishing.
However, David stopped her.
“Miss Pearl, didn’t you say you’re going to live for yourself from now on?
You should learn to say no.
They’ll get more brazen if you go to them now.
Besides, they’re adults.
Nothing will happen to them.
“Al… alright!
Good night, Mr.
Lidell!”
Pearl entered her room once she said this.
She thought David was right.
Since she wanted to live for herself, she should learn to say no.
David lay on the bed.
He looked at the system panel in front of him.
(Host: David Lidell
[Balance: 9999968654625465 dollars
(Body: 50 (Pretty strong) +
(Mind: 50 (Pretty strong) +
[Skills: Driving (10 Expert)+, Piano Skills (10 Expert)+, Singing (10 Expert)+, Lyrics writing (10 Expert)+, Song Composition (10 Expert)+ (Lavish points: 190]
He had 190 lavish points left.
He wanted to improve himself quickly.
Making up his mind, he spent 50 lavish points on his body.
The body column went from 50 to 100.
Suddenly, David felt hot all over his body.
It was as if ants were crawling in his muscles.
He felt sore.
The feeling lasted a full five minutes before disappearing.
David felt as if he had just come out of the water while it soaked into his skin.
Then, he calmly spent another 50 lavish points on his mind.
His head instantly felt drowsy.
It was as if he was drunk.
David closed his eyes and lay quietly on the bed.
A few minutes later, David felt sober.
He opened his eyes.
‘Hmm?’
‘My vision seems to have improved a lot!’
He used to be a little shortsighted.
However, he could now even see a mosquito on the ceiling three meters high.
Not only could he see it, he could also see which foot the mosquito was moving.
How amazing!
David quickly looked at the panel.
His body and mind had reached 100 points, and they seemed to have reached the maximum limit.
Even the plus sign had disappeared!
‘Does that mean I can’t upgrade them anymore?’
‘No way!
‘I can’t upgrade them so soon?’
‘I have so much money left.
What can I use the lavish point on?’
‘Upgrading skills?’
‘I can’t even add 18 Dragon Taming Punches.
What am I going to do with it?’
‘You know what?
Forget it.
I’ll work on it later.’
He had a feeling the system was not that simple.
David woke up feeling sticky.
He went to the pool.
‘Miss Pearl should be in bed by now!
‘What the hell!
I’ll just strip naked and jump in the pool.’
‘Amazing!’
He swam two laps and cleaned himself.
David got out and observed his body.
There were no changes and no prominent muscles.
However, David felt an explosive force in his body.
He had a feeling he could kill a cow with one punch.