Chapter 8

My parents stayed in New York for three days, during which I took them to various attractions.

Occasionally, when Leo's matter came up, they no longer insisted on me providing money.

This unusual calm made it impossible for me to fully relax.

The night before they left, we had a simple dinner at home.

"Jade, we're heading back tomorrow. Seeing you this time, we feel relieved," my father said while eating.

"Dad, Mom, if you miss me, you can always come and stay in New York," I said sincerely.

"You're busy with work; we'd only be bothering you," my mother said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, I heard from your colleague that you're now a senior manager?"

My heart suddenly tightened. "Yes, I got promoted last year."

"Your salary must be quite good, then?" my father asked casually.

"It's alright, enough for myself," I answered vaguely.

My father didn't press further, instead turning to talk about things back home.

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking maybe I was just being overly sensitive.

The next morning, I took my parents to the train station.

As we parted, my mother held my hand and said, "Jade, we'll find other ways to handle your brother's situation. You don't need to worry."

I nodded, but a subtle uneasiness lingered in my heart.

After dropping off my parents, I went directly to the office.

As soon as I arrived, Sarah from the finance department came up to me. "Ms. Jade, your parents came looking for you yesterday and asked quite a few questions about you."

My heart sank. "What did they ask?"

"They asked about your position, roughly how much you earn, and… they wanted to know if the company has a loan policy for employees, saying your brother needed funds for his wedding."

I maintained my composure. "They were just concerned about me, asking a few questions. Thank you for not disclosing my privacy."

Sarah nodded and left, leaving me deep in thought.

My parents clearly didn't believe I only had fifty thousand saved; they were secretly investigating my true financial situation.

I opened my computer and checked my bank accounts. Everything was normal.

But I still felt a sense of unease, as if something was about to happen.

After work, I went home and thoroughly checked my apartment, making sure my parents hadn't rummaged through my documents or computer.

Everything seemed normal, but I decided to change all my financial account passwords, just in case.

Just as I opened my laptop to do so, my phone rang.

It was my brother, Leo.

"Hello, Leo," I answered.

"Jade, Mom and Dad are back. They said you're only willing to give fifty thousand?" My brother's voice was filled with displeasure.

"Leo, I really only have that much right now…"

"Stop lying!" My brother suddenly raised his voice. "You've worked in New York for so many years, making such a high salary. How can you only have fifty thousand saved? Are you saying you don't want to help me?"

I was silent for a few seconds. "Leo, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I genuinely don't have more."

"Alright, if that's what you say, then there's nothing I can do." My brother suddenly calmed down. "But Jade, some things, no matter how deeply you hide them, will eventually be discovered."

His words made my heart skip a beat. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing, just a reminder. Anyway, I won't bother your work anymore."

After hanging up, my sense of unease intensified.

Leo's words clearly hinted at something. Did he know something?

I picked up the phone, wanting to call my parents and get to the bottom of it, but after hesitating, I put it down.

Rather than provoking more suspicion, it was better to wait and see.

But I knew this matter wouldn't end so simply.