The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart novel (Brittany and Isaac)

When Ronald's death reached Kari, she couldn't bring herself to tell Willa, but somehow, Willa found out anyway.

Willa wept bitterly upon hearing the news.

Kari took it upon herself to support the family. Aside from her studies, she spent every other moment working part-time jobs.

In just two years, she had worked nearly every job she could find.

Delivering pizzas.

Working in a coffee shop, handing out flyers, waitressing...

Willa's savings couldn't cover her medical bills, and she considered giving up. Then, unexpectedly, a kind soul offered to fund her treatment for free.

This significantly eased Kari's burden.

As seasons changed, the college entrance exams arrived, and Kari excelled, ranking top three in the city.

When it came time to select her university, Kari was torn. She dreamed of studying jewelry design in Imperial City, but Willa was in H city, and she couldn't bear to leave her. Seeing her hesitation, Willa encouraged her to follow her dreams.

Ultimately, Kari chose to study jewelry design at Imperial University, and the mother-daughter duo moved to Imperial City.

Compared to H city, Imperial City was bustling, with living costs nearly 50% higher.

Kari found a tutoring job that paid well enough to support them.

Willa's health improved, allowing her to work again. Not wanting Kari to overburden herself, she opened a small diner in an alley, serving hearty dishes like meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The diner was a hit.

But Willa had to take it easy, opening just four hours a day, yet the customers' enthusiasm never waned.

Kari started at Imperial University, excelling both academically and socially.

Her beauty caught the attention of many, but she rarely entertained their advances, focusing on her studies and part-time jobs.

Rumors began to spread, suggesting she was being financially supported by a wealthy benefactor.

The evidence? The luxury cars that frequently picked her up, each different from the last.

Kari initially ignored the gossip, until a photo of her getting into a car with a middle-aged man circulated,

causing an uproar at so ove

Before Kari had a chance to explain, the man's wife confronted her, escalating the situation.

Kari was expelled without a chance to defend herself.

Following the expulsion, the man called to apologize.

"Ms. Malone, I'm sorry. My wife acted foolishly. I apologize on her behalf. What can I do to make it right?"

There was no romantic involvement between them; he was her student's uncle.

The photo also included a young teenage boy, her student, but no one cared about the truth.

"I want to return to school. Can you make that happen?"

Kari couldn't understand why she was expelled for merely tutoring.

"Ms. Malone, it's too late to change anything," the man paused before continuing, "I'll give you a hundred thousand to settle this."

A hundred thousand? Kari's future was worth only that much?

Yet, she accepted the money.

After being expelled, Kari took on

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various part-time jobs until one evening, she received a call from Brittany, a university acquaintance.

"Kari, I've started my own studio. Would you be interested in joining?"

Brittany Dustin extended the invitation with a hint of

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embarrassment, "It's just me for now, but together, we can achieve something great."

Kari knew of Brittany's brilliance and misfortune.

"Sure."

Kari believed in Brittany's potential and her own desire to create a distinguished jewelry brand.

They named their venture Bri-jeweled Studio. Kari started as Brittany's assistant, also handling reception and secretarial duties. Brittany's compensation was generous.