Chapter 4| Hello, Fam!

Olivia’s POV:

That night, I still couldn’t get that scene yesterday from my head. I have a feeling that it was going to live rent-free in my head from now on.

Miles rubbing her belly and speaking to me mercilessly.

My father talking as he put out his cigarette and said coldly, “Liv, you're grown up now. It's time you understood the importance of contributing to the family instead of causing trouble.”

Each of their words felt like a sharp knife piercing my heart. Despite my overwhelming disappointment, my eyes welled up. I looked at them and said hoarsely, “No wonder you never visited me once during my five years in prison. I thought you were just too busy to see me. But now I see you only saw me as a moneymaker. You kicked me to the curb without hesitation the moment I couldn't make money anymore.”

I tilted my head back, fighting to hold back my tears. Then, I asked, “So you're all determined to kick me out today?”

“Yes!” They all replied without hesitation.

Clearly, there was no room for negotiation. I saw no trace of affection in their eyes. I nodded, my heart completely broken. “Fine, as you wish. From today, we're done. And I hope you won't regret it!”

I finally saw them for what they were. These people I'd longed for during my five years in prison didn't deserve my sacrifices. The two hundred million and the other properties Meredith transferred to me, would now remain with me. I initially planned to share.

Without another word, I walked out the door, not looking back.

Behind the door, I heard Miles’ resentful roar, “You’re something, Olivia! What's there to regret about cutting ties with a broke ex-convict like you? Good riddance!”

Leaving that heartless home, I wandered the streets alone for a long time before finally finding a hotel to stay in. Lying on the bed, I stared at the nine-figure balance in my bank account, lost in thought.

I used to believe I lived in a very happy family. My father patiently comforted and advised me when I faced difficulties at work. My mother would prepare my favorite dishes and even bring it to work. Paul would come to pick me up from work when it rained. I felt like the cherished little princess of the family.

I was always puzzled whenever I saw stories online about parents favoring sons over daughters. How could such families exist? How could parents not love their daughters?

But now, I have finally grasped that awful feeling of helplessness and disappointment. I realized I had always been part of such a family. All the love I had felt was conditional, based on my usefulness. To them, I was more like an investment. Their love was the cost, and my money was the return.

So, the gifts of fate have always come with a hidden price. When I could make money and ensure a comfortable life for everyone, they smiled warmly at me. But now, they see me as an ex-convict who couldn't find a job, with no money and no value.

“That’s life, Liv. Better move on.”

Their love had vanished completely. Little did they know, this ex-con has two hundred million in her account, plus properties will be okay for the rest of my life, thank God for Meredith. I couldn't help but feel a bit excited, wondering how they'd react when the daughter they despised most stood at the pinnacle of success one day.

The next day, I arrived at a hotel in the city center. I’d meet Harvey and Meredith’s nephew there. This wasn't just any hotel. It was a top-notch, sprawling establishment that catered to dining, lodging, banquets, and even business activities. It had eight floors and occupied an entire building. The location, surroundings, and foot traffic were all excellent.

Before I went to prison, I worked as a hotel lobby manager. Naturally, I wanted to return to my old profession. Only this time, not as a manager but as the owner.

From then on, I lived and ate at the hotel, seizing every moment to learn and develop new management and operational strategies with Brandon Pembroke. Within my first month, under my leadership, the hotel's business flourished, becoming so popular that it was almost impossible to get a reservation. Brandon was so proud of me.

I soon became a bona fide wealthy woman in the city.

One evening, six months later, while inspecting the dining department, I overheard Paul in a private room. I knew they checked in. I made sure they got booked. Oh, how I waited for this day!

“This hotel is so popular! I had to book Ethan’s baptismal celebration two months in advance just to get a table.”

“I've heard that only the richest get to dine here. Paul, honey, you made it!" That was our mother.

I froze in place and realized Paul had brought our parents and a bunch of relatives to this private suite for his son's baptismal celebration. My mother was busy showing off by recording videos on her phone. My face appeared in the frame when her camera panned to the door.

“Olivia? What are you doing here?” She put down her phone and frowned at me.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room turned their gaze towards me, standing at the doorway.

“Oh, my God! Have you no shame? You knew we were having a celebration here today and you followed us just to get a free meal!?” Miles rushed over and scolded me as if I were the plague.

“Who said I was here for the free food?” I replied calmly.

Miles crossed her arms, eyes filled with disdain. “What are you here for if you're not here for that? Are you here to beg? This is a high-end place reserved for the wealthy. If you're hungry, go dig through the trash outside. That's where you belong.”

The other relatives present also frowned and glared at me, their expressions filled with disgust as if I were an annoying fly. Their murmurs buzzed, but I knew what they were telling one another. That I was the family disappointment.

Paul spoke up, too, clearly unhappy. “Liv, when you said you wanted to cut ties with us, I thought you meant that. But now, look at you. You’re here for a free meal. And I thought you couldn’t stoop any lower.”

Before I could respond, my father chimed in, “I taught you from a young age to be self-reliant and have some backbone. Have you forgotten? How could you throw away your dignity for a meal, Olivia? Leave, now.”

I looked at them and sneered, “Oh, come on, it's just a meal. It doesn't matter to me.”

“You're really something, aren't you? As if you, a penniless ex-con, could ever afford a meal here even if you worked your whole life," Miles sneered. “You need to know your place. This isn't somewhere you belong. Just leave and stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Leave now, you’re nothing but bad luck.” Paul snapped at me.

“Exactly! Today is our son's special day. Your presence here will only bring bad luck to him. I don't want my son to be poor his whole life. Get out!” Miles' hostility was relentless.

“Well, if you don't want to see me, you can leave yourself.” I met her gaze and said coldly, This was my territory now, and I had no intention of indulging her.

“Excuse me? This high-end hotel is no place for a broke ex-con like you. Get out, get out, get out!” Miles was furious, grabbing my collar and trying to drag me out.

“Don't touch me!” I forcefully shrugged off her hand, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.

Without a word, Paul stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. “You’ve gone too far, Liv! In case you forgot, you're no longer the lobby manager earning tens of thousands a month. Now, you're just a worthless nobody. Did you really think we'd put up with you?” He then shouted down the hallway, “Security! Where's security?”

Hearing this, a group of security guards quickly rushed over. Paul pointed at me and barked at the security guards, “How can you let just anyone in here? Get this beggar woman out of here immediately!”

The head of security approached Paul and asked politely, “Sir, what is the problem?”

My brother pointed at me again. “This woman is the problem! This woman is a penniless beggar trying to get a free meal here. Get her out!”

The security chief looked at me and said coldly, “Ma'am, please leave.”

I usually kept a low profile, rarely revealing my status as the hotel owner, even though I lived and dined there. Only the upper management knew who I was. I like the anonymity and I figured that I could accomplish more and learn more if the staff were blindsighted. I see it worked.

Seeing the head of security try to throw me out so quickly, I fixed him with a stern gaze and said, “Is this how you handle situations? Don't you know the hotel's policy? We should not judge anyone by their appearance or offend any guest.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed the security chief's eyes. He looked at me uneasily, no longer daring to say anything. “T-that’s right…but…”

Miles, seeing this, became anxious. “Hey! Don't let her fool you! She's just a broke ex-con. Throw her out! Can’t you see? We are the paying customers here!”

“Sorry, ma'am. She’s right. We don't eject any guests without cause.” The security chief firmly refused Miles’ demand this time.

“What are you security guys doing then? You’re scared of her?” Paul shouted at the guards, then turned to me again. “Olivia, don't think you can bluff your way out of this. I know the hotel manager here. One call from me, and you're out!”

With that, he pulled out his phone and made a call. “Hello, Mr. Pembroke, it’s Paul…you have to…”

[I'm busy.]

The call ended abruptly with a cold response, leaving Paul standing awkwardly with his phone.

I sneered and said calmly, "You want to speak to Mr. Pembroke? Let me help you.” I took out my phone and called, “Brandon, come to suite 767 now.”

Paul laughed at me. “Olivia, are you out of your mind? You're a broke ex-con. Don't pretend to be someone important here. We know exactly what kind of person you are. Is there any need to put on this act?”

Our other relatives looked at me like I was a clown, their faces filled with mockery and disgust. Mother wiped the sweat from her forehead and said in embarrassment, “I am so sorry. This is so humiliating. How did I raise a daughter like this?”

My father also looked exasperated. “Just leave. Stop pretending. You're making a fool of yourself and your family.”

“Some people are so poor they've lost their minds and developed delusions. Paul couldn't even get Mr. Pembroke here, and you think you can? It's ridiculous," Miles scoffed, her tone dripping with contempt. She looked at me as if even acknowledging my existence was beneath her.

But just as she finished speaking, Brandon arrived.

“Mr. Pembroke, you're here!” Seeing the man, Paul immediately turned into an obsequious flatterer, rushing to greet him with a sycophantic smile. He then pointed at me and said indignantly, "I was just about to tell you, this woman is a broke nobody trying to crash our celebration. You should get her thrown out before she brings down the hotel's reputation...”

“Shut up! Ms. Charleston is the hotel's CEO and owner.” Brandon Pembroke’s stern shout cut off Paul’s rant mid-sentence.

“What? C-CEO? O-owner?” Paul, who had been so arrogant moments before, was suddenly dumbfounded. He looked at me, then at Brandon, incredulous. “Mr. Pembroke, you must be mistaken. She's just a worthless ex-con. How could she possibly be the owner of your hotel? Is this a joke?”

Brandon glared at Paul and said firmly, “Listen, if you disrespect the CEO again, I won't be so easy on you.”

That shut Paul up. My parents, Miles, and all my relatives were utterly dumbfounded. They looked at me with eyes full of shock, as if their entire world had just been turned upside down.

“Liv, honey, what's going on here?”

“Y-yeah, how did you suddenly become the CEO of this hotel?” My parents stared at me in amazement. This time, their tone was no longer arrogant but filled with a mix of caution and respect.

I remained calm and cold as I said, “I should thank you for kicking me out of the house. If not for that, you'd have bled me dry.”

I might have foolishly shared my wealth with them if they hadn't been so heartless in throwing me out. Given their greed, they would have found a way to take every last penny of that two hundred million.