Chapter 5
I spent three fall years Las Vegas, erompletely immersed in our research. After significant breakthroughs, I finally had to return in present our findings, so I boarded a plane back in Miami
Before lewing, the project teams returned my phone. When I powered it on for the first time in years, 11
‚ 1 raised an eyebrme at the familiar notification sounds!]
The screen froded with thousands of messages and messed calls. I was about to put it away when I noticed one from Mom “Inesa, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. Please come hack in 1 can apologize properly. ||
We had our reasons. Let me explain, please? Eman, I miss you so much, I don’t even know where you are just tell me if you’re still alive.”
“Trama, have you really given up on T
I found #abrood laughable. There was a time when I trea
treasured every moment with them ||
From high school onwards. I’d been self sufficient. Our supposed “light finances” combined with my hemy course load was suffocating
Still. I worried about having enough for the month, poaching pennies because my parents always looked so exhausted.
y glow my parents had
1 was too young to understand that chronically exhausted prople don’t maintain the healthy a
th my memory, they rarely get sick. When they did have minor issues, they’d power through and recover suspiciously quickly |
overlooked the injection marks on the backs of their hands, and the premium vins they claimed were “gifts from the bass who felt sorry for them.
I was so have. I never noticed the obvious signs, shaking my head at the memories. Lhlocked their numbers and deleted all their contact information.]
The moment I stepped off the plane, reporters were waiting.
Our research team had made a major breakthrough, and the entire group was under media scrutiny after returning. The exposure was expected
Seeing the reporters, 1 knew my mother would find me again.
I gave interviews with the team, and as we were heading to the hotel achterward, Mom bruke through security and approached us
The didn’t speak to me directly but instead addressed my research supervisor: “Professor Morris. I understand your project needs substantial funding. I can provide it. I’m Chire Thompson, VP of Thompson Enterprises possible, I’d like to speak privately with this young lady
Her offer to talk made me laugh. “Professor Morris, this is my mother. As you know, my family has no money, yet now she’s offering you investment funds. Doeart that sound like a scam?
sty words made the professor immediately suspicious. “I specifically recr students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who aren’t afraid of hard work. If you’re truly a VP at Thompson Enterprises, why has Prema received dnancial aid for low–income students every year?
“Stop trying to fate connections
With a wave of his hand, secury moved her hack as we walked away. She screamed after me, “Emm just want to talk to you!”
Her pursun was caught on camera and quickly went viral []
Unable to reach me directly, she tried to apologies through social media ||
When internet users pressured her to explain the situation, she refused. Tired of watching her play the victim anlee and seeing the controversy spiral I finally agreed to meet her to reintre things
When the learned I’d meet with her, she was ecstatic and immediately arranged for us to meet at the mansion on Indian Creek Liland. ||
Entering the estate again, Lith a wave of emotions, but quickly composed myself]
