18

On the day when the Chancers Corporation changed hands, I had someone deliver the news to Linda's mother.

When something worth celebrating happens, it's only right to share it with others.

However, upon hearing the news, she was so shocked that she fell into a coma and has not woken up since.

Aware of her condition, I came to the hospital and paid all her medical bills.

Standing at the door of the hospital room, I looked at Linda's mother lying in bed, frail and lifeless.

Suddenly, I remembered how she looked when she first approached me all those years ago—graceful, arrogant, and condescending.

"Lewis, being chosen by our dear Linda is your good fortune," she had said back then.

"As a mother, I naturally respect her wishes and agree to you becoming our son-in-law."

With that, she placed an agreement and some documents in front of me.

"Don't rush to refuse. Take a look at these first," she urged. "I've heard that your mother was a highly respected educator during her lifetime. Yo