Chapter 4The Wolf in Mother’s Clothing

Neighbors I met these past few days were all emotional.

"Your mom really changed. She even talked back to the old lady for you. She never dared to be so tough before! You must be a good daughter to her from now on."

Listening to these words, I just lowered my head and smiled.

Mom really was different.

When I went to work, breakfast was ready on the table. Before I got off work, she'd text asking what I wanted for dinner. She even washed and folded the old clothes in my closet.

These things seemed ordinary, but they used to be exclusive to Tyler.

Before, if I came home a little late from school, she wouldn't even leave me leftovers. Only a sink full of dirty dishes for me to wash. Not to mention the hot milk before bed, that was Tyler's special treat.

For a moment, I almost started to believe she really wanted to make it up to me.

Coming home from work, Mom served a plate of braised ribs.

"Eat more, you loved this when you were little." Mom put a rib in my bowl.

So she knew.

But back then, getting a few bony pieces with barely any meat was already my luckiest day.

I took a bite. The taste was exactly as I remembered. Savory, with a hint of sweetness.

At night, she brought a glass of hot milk to my bedside, her tone cautious.

"Is work tiring these days?"

I took a sip of milk. She suddenly sat down and asked casually.

"You've been at the investment bank for a while now, have you come across any insider stock tips?"

My hand paused slightly, the milk rippling in the cup.

I looked up at her.

Mom's eyes revealed an unconcealed hunger. That light was greed for money.

The same look she had the day she killed me.

"No insider tips, just public information."

I didn't tell her I wasn't at the investment bank at all.

I smiled, hiding my gaze behind lowered lashes. Added a sentence.

"But there's a stock that might rise soon, called 'ClearView Tech', heard it's going to skyrocket."

"Are you sure that's the name?"

She muttered under her breath, nodding repeatedly as she left.

"Seems to be this one. This should be the bull stock from the past life."

The next morning, the daily breakfast was gone.

When I came home from work, Mom blocked the door.

"You have to hand over your salary to me every month from now on."

Her voice was as cold as in countless past days, maybe even harsher.

"Everything in the house costs money. You have a job now, you should contribute to the family. Don't think about hiding private money!"

She gave me a cold glare.

"Why aren't you talking? Eating my food, living in my house, and not paying up? Do you think I owe you?"

I looked at the familiar disgust on her face.

So she didn't remember which stock was the winner in the past life, so she treated me well to extract information. Now that she had the info, I was useless.

Tyler looked smug.

"I told you, how could Mom suddenly change and be nice to you? Money-loser, hurry up and earn more money, maybe Mom will reward you with a little motherly love."

"Look at your face that day, were you touched? Hahaha, so funny."

Looking at their faces, my heart was surprisingly calm.

Good thing I never truly believed her.

Watching Mom and Tyler echo each other, a smile floated onto my lips.

ClearView Tech. Mom, buy it hard.