Two Dollars and a Fortune

At the company entrance, Mother was lying on a stretcher, wiping away tears.

Logan and Sienna stood beside her, holding up a banner and crying as they accused me loudly.

"Cassian, come out here! If you've got a problem, take it out on us! Why are you taking your anger out on Mom?!

"Mom worked herself to the bone raising you. To put you through school, she even stopped my sister and me from studying. And now that you've made something of yourself, you've kicked her out of the house!"

Furious, I grabbed the banner and tore it down, throwing it onto the ground.

"Logan, what nonsense are you spouting?! You were the ones who took the tuition money I gave you and spent it on going out and having fun! How is that my fault? I'm telling you—if you keep slandering me, I'm calling the police!"

By now, more and more people had gathered around. Quite a few had already taken out their phones and started livestreaming.

Sienna suddenly dropped to her knees and burst into loud sobs.

"Everyone, please look! This is my so-called big brother—domineering and unreasonable! Ever since we were little, he bullied me and Logan. If we didn't obey him, he would beat us!

"Now that he can't bully us anymore, he's started abusing our mother. Making her work as a maid for him and his wife isn't enough—they don't even let her eat a full meal!

"My sister-in-law treats Mom like a burden. Whenever she's in a bad mood, she hits or scolds her! One time she even pushed Mom down the stairs and broke her leg!"

Hearing this, the crowd looked at me with growing anger.

My face flushed red as I shouted, "Sienna, you're lying through your teeth!"

Back then, it had been Sienna who insisted that Mother pick up her child in the rain, which caused Mother to slip and fall on the road. Now, she was dumping all the blame on us.

"Mom, tell them. Are we telling the truth or not?"

Sienna helped Mother sit up, her face filled with feigned grief as she asked.

Mother looked at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Cassian, let's not bring up the past anymore. But Mom is begging you—please don't drive me away. Ever since you were little, I've favored you and neglected your brother and sister. I've wronged them… and I've wronged your father who passed away so early.

"Your brother and sister are having a hard time now. I can't go and become a burden to them."

After saying this, the three of them clutched each other and began crying as if they had suffered some tremendous injustice.

Even some of the onlookers, not knowing the truth, had tears welling in their eyes.

"Cassian, I'm not asking for much," Mother sobbed. "Just give me a bed and food. No… no bed is fine. I can sleep on the floor…"

I never imagined that, just to force me into submission, Mother would go this far. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my skin.

"Damn it! I can't stand watching this anymore!"

One of the men in the crowd suddenly stepped forward and punched me square in the face.

"Good! That's what you deserve! An unfilial son like you needs to be taught a lesson! That's your own mother, and you abuse her? How vicious can you be? Someone call the police!"

"Typical—got a wife and forgot his mother! Doesn't he realize that without her, he wouldn't have anything he has today?!"

"Those poor siblings, bullied by their eldest brother!"

…

Seeing me get hit, Sienna and Logan exchanged smug looks.

Afraid of being noticed, they quickly lowered their heads and pretended to wipe away tears.

Their whispers drifted clearly into my ears.

"Mom, didn't I say this trick would work? Just watch—Cassian will definitely take you back this time."

"Of course. Logan, you've always been the clever one."

"Logan, after this, let's see if Cassian still dares to send Mom away so easily!"

…

A chill spread through my chest. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

Then I pulled out my phone, ready to call the police.

Just then, a group of reporters carrying cameras approached in a rush.

Behind them were several police officers.

Walking in the center of the group was Vivian, carrying two large bags filled with documents.

The moment the three of them saw the crowd approaching, their expressions changed instantly.

"Viv… Vivian… why are you here?" Logan asked stiffly.

Vivian smiled faintly, not a trace of anger on her face.

"Mom, Logan, Sienna—since things have escalated this far, I suppose we'll just have everyone here judge who's right and who's wrong."

With that, she began handing out the documents from the bags to everyone present.

Immediately, someone cried out in surprise.

"2,500 dollars? He gave her 2,500 dollars every month for living expenses?!"

"Damn! My salary isn't even 2,500 dollars a month!"