HER MOTHER'S DAUGHTER

Upon arriving home, I found my mom waiting, her arms tightly folded, and fury blazing in her eyes.

"Where were you?" Her tone was stern.

"Mom," I began, trying to keep my composure.

"Answer me, Alicia Cooper!" Her voice raised with anger.

"Mom, I'm sorry," I replied, struggling to hold back tears. Avoiding scolding in front of the workers, she stormed toward the elevator, gesturing for me to follow.

"Do you need an invitation?" Her words were sharp as I joined her. We entered the elevator, enveloped in a tense silence that screamed of frustration and anger. The ride was brief, leading us to her room. She marched inside, and I trailed behind.

"Mom," I called, closing the distance between us.

"I didn't raise you to be weak," she said, stepping away.

"Mom, I'm sorry," I murmured, aware of her immense disappointment.

"I didn't raise you to lose a deal to someone unworthy," she continued, her disappointment evident. "You humiliated yourself. Who taught you to give up without a fight?"

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't know what to do," tears streamed down my face.

"You'll sue them for breach of contract," her voice carried unwavering determination.

"Mom, it's not worth it anymore," I protested, unwilling to pursue what had already caused me humiliation.

"That's final, Alicia Cooper," she declared before retreating to her study, locking herself in. This was her way of dealing with anger, both at me and herself. I left, seeking solace, pondering how to dissuade her from taking legal action.

As I stepped into my room, flashes of the previous night overwhelmed me. I hadn't disclosed anything to my mother yet; the fear of her reaction loomed heavily.

WHO IS ETHAN ROBICHAUD?

Two years ago, when I was twenty-one, my mother lost a crucial deal because of him. He's a business magnate known for his forceful tactics, a figure no one dares to oppose. Our encounter with him remains etched in my memory.

We were en route to a company where both my mother and Ethan were vying for a deal. A car swerved in front of us, causing our driver to collide with it. Despite being at fault, the other driver initiated a dispute. To our misfortune, there were no CCTV cameras around. Despite our attempts to settle the issue financially, he vehemently refused.

"The amount I'm offering will cover any damages caused," my mother reasoned, attempting to persuade him.

"I don't want your money, you wretched woman," he spat angrily.

"Watch your tongue!" I couldn't contain my fury at his insult towards my mother. Realization dawned on me—it was Ethan Robichaud's scheme. I discreetly conveyed this to my mother, who checked her watch.

"We've been delayed for about half an hour. We have only thirty minutes left," I whispered, and she nodded. Retrieving a bundle of cash from her bag, she dropped it onto his car.

"You've done your job well. If I lose this deal, I will find and end you," she declared before we sped off. Arriving at the conference room moments later, we found Ethan Robichaud sealing the deal. It shattered my mother; tears streamed down her face, an unfamiliar sight for me. I escorted her home, feeling profound remorse for her. Since then, I've vowed to avenge my mother's tears.

PRESENT

The realization of my intimate encounter with Ethan Robichaud devastates me. He embodies my mother's deepest nightmare, a person I loathe immensely, almost as much as my parents. How could this happen? It feels like a betrayal to both my mother and myself. The magnitude of the damage inflicted has left me emotionally drained and on the verge of breakdown.

I dozed off while contemplating recent events, only to be jolted awake by an unknown caller.

"Hello?" I answered, my voice trembling.

"Hey, Sunshine," Ethan Robichaud's voice sent shivers down my spine.

"How did you get my number?" Fear laced my words; I've never felt so apprehensive.

"I saw the news and wondered how you're holding up," he remarked casually.

"Are you calling to mock me?" I snapped, my anger rising.

"No, Sunshine. Isn't it delightful that the public perceives us positively?" His tone changed, freezing my thoughts.

"What public?" Dread filled me; my secret might be exposed to my mother.

"Just kidding," he reassured me, and relief flooded in.

"It seems you haven't divulged our... encounter to your mother," he pointedly reminded me.

"Keep my mother out of this," I retorted, a mix of softness and rage in my voice.

"Fine. Let's target Cub Finance for breach of contract," he proposed.

"Stay away from my affairs, Ethan Robichaud," I warned, aware of his ulterior motives.

"No one messes with what's mine," his seriousness was palpable.

"I'm not yours," I rejected vehemently, regretting my lapse in judgment.

"You belong to me, Alicia Cooper," he declared before abruptly ending the call. Conflicting emotions surged within me, torn between his claim and my disdain for the situation.

Contemplating my next steps, I realized I had to handle the fallout from the lost deal. With my mother adamant on pursuing Cub Finance and Ethan's unwelcome interference, I knew I had to prevent further damage. Despite my reluctance, I had to gather my resolve and confront the looming challenges head-on.

Entering the bathroom, I aimed to wash away both the guilt and fury. The decision to shield my mother from the truth about Ethan Robichaud weighed heavily on me. After my cleansing, I dressed in formal attire, gearing up to address the public.

"Arrange a meeting with all reporters present yesterday," I instructed my secretary, dismissing her objections. Checking on my mother, I found her asleep—a perfect time to take matters into my own hands.

Arriving at the meeting, I faced the reporters with a calm façade. "Thank you for being here."

"It's no secret I faced humiliation—your headlines were scathing," I began, maintaining a detached demeanor. "None of you sought my side; you wrote what sells."

"I was the victim, not Cub Finance," I claimed, simulating a breakdown. "They, along with Emily Wang, deceived me."

"But your tardiness was evident. Why?" a reporter questioned.

"There's more than meets the eye," I replied, feigning tears that turned genuine. "My ailing mother needed me—I couldn't abandon her."

"Was there a rivalry with Emily Wang for the deal?" another reporter probed.

"The deal was secured; my delay wasn't grounds for its forfeiture," I clarified, leveraging my grasp of the contract details.

"Why haven't legal actions been taken against Cub Finance?" came another query.

"I honor my commitments. The contract specifies consequences for betrayal," I asserted, revealing the contractual clause.

"Substantial consequences. Are they aware?" murmurs rippled through the reporters.

"They authored the clause, underestimating my mother's influence," I countered calmly.

"What if they refuse payment?" a reporter pressed for further clarity.

"Courts will arbitrate," I affirmed, standing firm. Satisfied with my stance, I bid them farewell, leaving their queries hanging.

"Thank you for your presence," I echoed, walking away, knowing the air was thick with unanswered questions.

Content with my calculated move, I anticipated the substantial sum from both parties, enough to finance my show with the additional support my mother offered. While still in my car, Ethan Robichaud's unexpected call disrupted my thoughts.

"Why are you calling?" I answered, bracing for his words.

"You were impressive, Sunshine," he praised, evoking a surge of conflicting emotions within me.

"I know," I replied, masking my feelings.

"Now I understand why I want you in my life. Two forces unbreakable," his sweet tone struck a chord, stirring butterflies in my stomach.

"Stay away," I retorted, terminating the call. Holding the phone close, I felt my heart racing—a sensation I detested yet couldn't control.

Arriving home, my mother stood by the door, but this time, her expression radiated satisfaction.

"This is the daughter I've raised," she beamed as I approached.

"Mom, I'm sorry," I uttered, enveloping her in a hug.

"No need for apologies. You've handled the situation impeccably," she comforted, wiping my tears.

"I don't want you to sue without negotiation," I pleaded, hoping she'd understand.

"You've done well, but I won't let them off lightly. They've deeply hurt my daughter, and suing is my recourse," she asserted, walking inside. Our method had always been retaliation for each other's pain.

"Let me handle it," I implored, following her.

"Then let me handle Ethan Robichaud," she erupted angrily. His mere mention stirred unsettling emotions within me—an eye for an eye without her knowledge of my encounter.

"Can't we move on without grudges?" I suggested impulsively. Her glare revealed her anger, leaving me regretting my words. Her silence as she walked away unsettled me, a pang of guilt searing through me. I grappled with the intrusion of Ethan Robichaud into my life and the repercussions it brought.

The anticipation surrounding the email from Cub Finance and Wang Management gripped me as I paced back and forth in my room. I expected their frantic responses upon seeing the news. Curious about the headlines, I checked the news, and two specifically caught my attention.

One read: "Cub Finance in collaboration with Wang Management cheated Alicia Cooper."

Another headline stated: "Alicia's reaction was justified; if roles were reversed, they'd do worse."

The journalistic twists fascinated me, but before I could delve deeper into the news, an unexpected call interrupted my thoughts. It wasn't Ethan this time. An unknown number flashed on the screen, leaving me intrigued about the caller's identity. Who could it be?