Chapter 9 - The Golden Child's Fall
A month passed in a blur of intense work and massive success.
My AI architecture project moved into the beta testing phase ahead of schedule.
Mr. Sterling gave me a twenty-thousand-dollar performance bonus.
I used it to put a down payment on a stunning loft overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
I hadn't heard from my father since the incident with the security guards.
According to Cousin Greg, my father was currently living in a cheap motel.
The bank was in the process of foreclosing on the family home.
His wealthy friends had entirely abandoned him the moment his credit cards started declining.
But the most dramatic downfall belonged to Olivia.
Her viral attempt to shame me on Facebook had ruined her social standing.
Her honeymoon in the Maldives had been an absolute disaster.
Apparently, Ethan had finally taken off his blinders.
He saw how obsessed she was with her image, constantly checking her phone and screaming at strangers online.
He realized he had married a vain, cruel woman.
When they returned from their trip, Ethan packed his bags.
He moved back in with his parents and filed for an annulment.
His lawyer cited "irreconcilable differences and fraudulent character."
Olivia was suddenly a broke, soon-to-be-divorced woman living with a father who couldn't even afford his own rent.
She tried calling me a dozen times.
I blocked every new number she used.
She tried emailing my work address.
"Maya, please," her last email read.
"I have nowhere to go. You have all that space in California."
"We are sisters. We should be there for each other."
I stared at the words on my monitor.
She only remembered we were sisters when she needed my bank account.
I highlighted the email.
I dragged it to the trash bin.
May you like
I emptied the trash bin permanently.
There was no joy in her misery, but there was a profound sense of justice.
