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My blood boiled,body trembling with rage!
To prop up his philanthropist image,he called his own daughter a sponsored orphan—shameless!
Worse,his foundation funneled donations into his pockets.He was a fraud!
A lifetime ago,I found his secret in his study.
His wealth came from child trafficking!He was a vile human smuggler,a criminal!
He sold lost or homeless children to Southeast Asia,using this money to hire hackers,stealing data from other companies to build his own empire. All the cash he made had the blood of children and the tears of parents on them
With his intellect and character,success was impossible otherwise!
Mom divorced him for his dishonesty—gambling and drinking all day long,and abusing her when drunk.
Luna,who pretended to becrying,approached,hugging me.
In my ear,she hissed:"Stella,keep quiet,or you'll regret it for life!"
I clenched my fists tight,memorizing every thing in sight.
After the gala,reporters gathered around me,asking about Dad—no,Victor Summers—and his speech.
I couldn't lie or aid his evil.
I closed my eyes and collapsed onto the ground.
I wanted to expose him,but I couldn't speak.I feared for Mom and Grandma.
After the gala,Victor sent me back to Grandma's.
The ordeal left me distracted,I was in a terrible state.
After my third mistake in ceramics,Grandma stared at me sternly.
"Stella,since returning from your dad,you've not been yourself.What?Dazzled by wealth and the lives of riches in big cities,lost your focus on what really matters?"
"If so,leave.Go to him!"
"He's not my dad!"
My reflective retort stunned her.She'd spoken harshly,seeing my distraction.
After thinking carefully,I told them everything—my time at Victor's and what he was up to.
Mom and Grandma's faces grew grave,lips tight.
"Stella,is this true?"
I nodded firmly.
"True or not,Victor and Luna bullying my granddaughter is a slap on my face.We won't let this slide easily.This grudge must be settled!"
"Stella,two months from now,there's an art appreciation gala.We'll attend together."
"For these two months,focus solely on ceramics.I'll handle the rest."
I'd never seen Grandma so resolute before.Something big was coming.
I followed her orders,burying myself into ceramics.
Mom and Grandma,unlike their usual gradual teaching,shared all their notes and expertise with me.
My solid foundation on ceramics helped me absorb the flood of knowledge.
The two months flew by.The day before the gala,Grandma handed me a bracelet.
"Stella,I've worn these twin bangles since birth.I gave one to your mom,and this one's for you."
