Chapter 3

I looked up and saw Bradley and his mother standing in front of me, their faces painted with pure schadenfreude.

"Why aren't you talking? Weren't you acting all tough and independent back at the house?"

Martha poked my shoulder with her freshly manicured nails.

"Well? How about you get down on your knees and beg my Bradley? If he’s in a good mood, he might just show some mercy and throw you a few bucks so you can buy your mother a decent coffin."

"Mom!"

Bradley pretended to scold her, but the grin on his face betrayed him.

"Watch your language. She’s still my mother-in-law, after all."

He squatted down to look me in the eye, his gaze filled with condescending pity.

"Chloe, for the sake of our past three years, I’ll give you one last chance."

"Come home with me right now. Pour some tea for my mother, apologize to her, and throw away all those trashy weaving tools of yours. From now on, just stay home and serve me quietly."

"If you do that, I'll pay ten thousand—no, five thousand dollars toward your mother's hospital bills."

He had intentionally slashed the amount.

"As for the surgery? I say forget it. She’s so old anyway. Why make her suffer through it? Letting her go peacefully is the best way you can show your love."

"This way, you won't be in debt. You'll be completely free."

Looking at his hypocritical face and hearing his toxic words, I felt utterly repulsed.

I slowly stood up, straightening my back.

"Bradley, even if I have to sell my own blood or beg on the streets, I will never ask you for a single penny."

"And as for what you owe me, I will settle the score with you, cent by cent."

The moment those words left my mouth, Bradley’s smug smile froze.

He stared at me in disbelief before gritting his teeth in anger.

"You ungrateful bitch! Fine, Chloe, you asked for this! I can't wait to watch you plan your mother's funeral!"

With that, he grabbed his mother's arm and stormed off.

The corridor fell silent once again. I leaned against the wall, my body sliding down to the floor.

But as I did, my hand accidentally brushed against the hard scroll inside my suitcase.

*The Sea of Clouds.*

That was the masterpiece I had spent three whole years of painstaking labor on, replicating a legendary ancient tapestry.

It utilized a lost, extremely complex triple-shading weaving technique. Its craftsmanship was so intricate and its value so immense that even my grandmother had called it a masterpiece of the century.

I had originally intended to keep it as a family heirloom forever.

But now...

A wild idea began to grow in my mind.

With trembling hands, I searched my contacts and pulled up a number that was almost forgotten at the very bottom.

Evelyn Sterling.

She was one of the country's wealthiest art collectors, particularly obsessed with rare, high-end textile arts.

Three years ago, I had restored a priceless Renaissance tapestry for her. She had praised my skills endlessly and left me her private number, telling me to contact her directly if I ever produced a masterpiece of my own.

For three years, I had never dared to bother her.

But now, she was my only hope.

I took a deep breath and pressed the call button.

It rang for a long time before a refined, elder but sharp voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Sterling, hello. This is Chloe Jenkins."

My voice shook with anxiety.

"Three years ago, I restored the Golden Crane Tapestry for you."

"Oh, Chloe! It’s you,"

The older woman’s voice carried a pleasant surprise.

"I remember you. A young girl with extraordinary talent. What brings you to call me so late? Is something the matter?"

"I have a piece of work... and I was wondering if you would be interested in appraising it."

"Oh? A new creation of yours?" Mrs. Sterling was clearly intrigued.

"Yes. I’m currently at the Downtown General Hospital. Can I bring it to you right now?"

I was practically begging.

The other end of the line went silent for a few seconds.

"My child, did something happen to you? Your voice doesn't sound right."

My tears finally broke free, spilling down my cheeks as I choked out, "My mother is in critical condition. She needs emergency surgery, and I... this is my last resort."