After becoming

Chapter 9

“I warned you all a long time ago not to regret it. Now, you want to cozy up to me and get on my good side? It’s too late for that. You can’t reach my level now.”

I vented all my frustrations and then turned directly to Lucious. “Throw them out and ban them from entering again!”

“Understood, Ms. Kessler,” Lucious responded respectfully. He then gestured towards James and the rest and said with an icy tone, “You are no longer welcome in this hotel!”

My parents, James and Greta, looked stunned and unwilling to accept it, trying to protest.

I turned my back on them, not wanting to waste another glance.

The security chief was not holding back and escorted them out, pushing them along.

“Janina, what’s the meaning of this? Forgot your family now that you have money?”

“I’m your mother! How could you do this to us?”

“You ungrateful daughter, we raised you for so many years!”

“Janina, you ungrateful wretch, you’ll get what’s coming to you!”

They were unwillingly shoved out, shouting curses as they went.

“Wait.” I suddenly turned around and walked towards them.

James thought I had changed my mind and immediately stopped cursing, speaking to me with relief. “I knew you wouldn’t be so heartless.”

“Smack!” I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. “You owed me that.”

Ignoring their shocked expressions, I turned and walked away with confidence.

Since then, I never saw my family again.

However, they still call and message me frequently. Why? For money.

Either Melanie was supposedly sick because of me and needed medical expenses, or the house was too small for my nephew to play in, and they wanted me to buy them a bigger one, or my brother wanted a new car and asked me to pay for it.

They always found ridiculous reasons to shamelessly ask for money. I just found it laughable. Did they really think I was still the pushover they could exploit?

I couldn’t understand where they got the nerve.

When they couldn’t get the money, they would send all kinds of insulting messages. I blocked them all one by one.

Living alone was peaceful yet busy. Though sometimes lonely without family, I felt at peace most of the time. At least now, I only had to take care of myself.

Before long, the end of the year arrived. It was a time for families to reunite.

On Christmas Eve, I received a call from an unknown number.

As soon as I answered, Melanie’s voice came through.

“Nina, we’ve realized our mistakes. We’ve wronged you, and we’re truly sorry. Today’s a special day. Everyone wants to see you. Can you come back and see us? Just think of it as one last family reunion dinner, okay?”

Her voice was cautious, filled with humble pleading.

I was silent for a moment before replying, “Okay.”

“That’s wonderful! We’ll prepare the meal and wait for you to come home.”

After hanging up, I stared at my phone, lost in thought. I gathered my things a moment later and returned to the home I hadn’t set foot in for a long time.

When I knocked on the door, Greta greeted me with a blooming smile, “You’re back.” She affectionately led me to the dining table and cheerfully said, “Look, we’ve made all your favorite dishes!”